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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jane on June 20, 1999, at 21:58:35
I wrote in April to say I was struggling trying to relate to a new pdoc (old one retired). I received some very helpful advice from Victoria (et al), and tried to follow thru with the dialog with the new MD.
Well, since then I changed drugs to celexa (ok,but get migraines) - but I still can't relate to this guy.
Shouldn't I feel SOMETHING? I keep saying that I don't feel there is anything in particular to talk about,
and that I haven't a clue what direction we''re going
and I question what if anything I'm accomplishing.
HE always says that issues may come up if we keep talking and that he thinks "we" are making progress.
I just don't get it - after a year and 28 visits shouldn't I have a clue about direction, accomplishments, something? Shouldn't I feel something? Anything? Any suggestions?
Posted by Danny on June 21, 1999, at 3:09:12
In reply to New ? therapist , posted by jane on June 20, 1999, at 21:58:35
I will start by telling you I have a low opinion of psychiatrists-as-therapists. The good ones know drugs and can diagnos some serious disorders, but they have extremely limited therapeutic ability. They are good at stating the obvious, overcharging and generally wasting time. I have had much better luck with non-md therapists, but finding one that suits you can be tricky. It really requires you to trust your instincts. When you find the right one, however, you can get a very good mixture of objectivity, wisdom and emotional support. Something will happen; you won't just sit there feeling like you're wasting time and money. The two (therapist & psychiatrist) should be used as complementing specialists. In my experience, neither one knows much about the other field. This is tricky and requires you to become you're own case manager. Unfortunately, that's the way it's set up.
Best of luck
> I wrote in April to say I was struggling trying to relate to a new pdoc (old one retired). I received some very helpful advice from Victoria (et al), and tried to follow thru with the dialog with the new MD.
> Well, since then I changed drugs to celexa (ok,but get migraines) - but I still can't relate to this guy.
> Shouldn't I feel SOMETHING? I keep saying that I don't feel there is anything in particular to talk about,
> and that I haven't a clue what direction we''re going
> and I question what if anything I'm accomplishing.
> HE always says that issues may come up if we keep talking and that he thinks "we" are making progress.
> I just don't get it - after a year and 28 visits shouldn't I have a clue about direction, accomplishments, something? Shouldn't I feel something? Anything? Any suggestions?
Posted by JohnL on June 21, 1999, at 4:47:00
In reply to New ? therapist , posted by jane on June 20, 1999, at 21:58:35
> I wrote in April to say I was struggling trying to relate to a new pdoc (old one retired). I received some very helpful advice from Victoria (et al), and tried to follow thru with the dialog with the new MD.
> Well, since then I changed drugs to celexa (ok,but get migraines) - but I still can't relate to this guy.
> Shouldn't I feel SOMETHING? I keep saying that I don't feel there is anything in particular to talk about,
> and that I haven't a clue what direction we''re going
> and I question what if anything I'm accomplishing.
> HE always says that issues may come up if we keep talking and that he thinks "we" are making progress.
> I just don't get it - after a year and 28 visits shouldn't I have a clue about direction, accomplishments, something? Shouldn't I feel something? Anything? Any suggestions?Hello Jane. I've had several therapists, have seen the good and the mediocre. The good ones have the insight and instinct to very quickly recognize a topic worthy of exploration. They ask a lot of questions, give a lot of examples, don't waste a single minute. Even if you tried to hide something, they can find it easily. They can see right through you. They manage the discussion with definite structure, it doesn't just drift around. A good therapist should be able to discover a lot of things in the very first meeting, and leave you feeling high with new hope and wisdom. In your shoes I would definitely try someone new. Yes, after 28 visits you should have a clue about direction and accomplishments. That should have happened on the 1st or 2nd meeting. A good therapist doesn't wait to stumble onto something to talk about. If nothing else, they should provide the same pep and gusto a teamplayer would experience from a coach's award-winning pep talk before a major game. I've had therapists like yours, I found my dog was better. I know you probably feel some kind of bond with this person after 28 visits, but you might seriously consider trying someone new. Don't wait another 28 visits to see how it goes. If that new person hasn't given you substantial uplifting, wisdom and hope in TWO meetings, get out. Try another until you succeed. With you in heart, stay in touch. JohnL.
Posted by Victoria on June 22, 1999, at 18:50:19
In reply to New ? therapist , posted by jane on June 20, 1999, at 21:58:35
Here's my two cents again: It does sound now like you should explore making a change. After that amount of time, I think you should feel that your problems have improved in some way. My experience differs from Danny's and JohnL's. My psychiatrist is a very good therapist; to help ensure that he would be, I looked for someone with psychoanalytic training. I'm not in classical analysis, but it makes him a good therapist and I really like the fact that psychoanalysts must go through analysis as part of their training, so they know what it's like to be a patient. I would personally be very uncomfortable with a therapist who made me feel "high"; I'm more interested in someone who will listen to what I feel. But different strokes . . . And that's the point. You need to find a therapist who's a good fit with you. Perhaps you don't have to "quit" your current doc before you explore other options. You could find a few other names and set up appointments to meet them and discuss your situation and expectations, sort of like getting a "second opinion." Good luck!
> I wrote in April to say I was struggling trying to relate to a new pdoc (old one retired). I received some very helpful advice from Victoria (et al), and tried to follow thru with the dialog with the new MD.
> Well, since then I changed drugs to celexa (ok,but get migraines) - but I still can't relate to this guy.
> Shouldn't I feel SOMETHING? I keep saying that I don't feel there is anything in particular to talk about,
> and that I haven't a clue what direction we''re going
> and I question what if anything I'm accomplishing.
> HE always says that issues may come up if we keep talking and that he thinks "we" are making progress.
> I just don't get it - after a year and 28 visits shouldn't I have a clue about direction, accomplishments, something? Shouldn't I feel something? Anything? Any suggestions?
Posted by jane on June 22, 1999, at 20:25:58
In reply to Re: New ? therapist , posted by Victoria on June 22, 1999, at 18:50:19
> Here's my two cents again: It does sound now like you should explore making a change. After that amount of time, I think you should feel that your problems have improved in some way. My experience differs from Danny's and JohnL's. My psychiatrist is a very good therapist; to help ensure that he would be, I looked for someone with psychoanalytic training. I'm not in classical analysis, but it makes him a good therapist and I really like the fact that psychoanalysts must go through analysis as part of their training, so they know what it's like to be a patient. I would personally be very uncomfortable with a therapist who made me feel "high"; I'm more interested in someone who will listen to what I feel. But different strokes . . . And that's the point. You need to find a therapist who's a good fit with you. Perhaps you don't have to "quit" your current doc before you explore other options. You could find a few other names and set up appointments to meet them and discuss your situation and expectations, sort of like getting a "second opinion." Good luck!
>
Victoria--what is the difference between a psycharist and a psychoanalyst? What is "psychoanalytic training"? Thanks-jane
Posted by Ruth on June 22, 1999, at 20:50:17
In reply to Re: New ? therapist , posted by jane on June 22, 1999, at 20:25:58
I would second the recommendation that you consider a change in therapist. My experience is that the efficacy of a therapist has less to do with the particular credentials, and more to do with fit. You should come away feeling that you have been heard and that this is someone ready to form a partnership with you to work on issues. There are no bright lights of insight that come in the first couple of meetings, but hopefully there is a sense of some hope that things can be worked on. Good luck!
> > Here's my two cents again: It does sound now like you should explore making a change. After that amount of time, I think you should feel that your problems have improved in some way. My experience differs from Danny's and JohnL's. My psychiatrist is a very good therapist; to help ensure that he would be, I looked for someone with psychoanalytic training. I'm not in classical analysis, but it makes him a good therapist and I really like the fact that psychoanalysts must go through analysis as part of their training, so they know what it's like to be a patient. I would personally be very uncomfortable with a therapist who made me feel "high"; I'm more interested in someone who will listen to what I feel. But different strokes . . . And that's the point. You need to find a therapist who's a good fit with you. Perhaps you don't have to "quit" your current doc before you explore other options. You could find a few other names and set up appointments to meet them and discuss your situation and expectations, sort of like getting a "second opinion." Good luck!
> >
> Victoria--what is the difference between a psycharist and a psychoanalyst? What is "psychoanalytic training"? Thanks-jane
Posted by Victoria on July 3, 1999, at 20:36:04
In reply to Re: New ? therapist , posted by jane on June 22, 1999, at 20:25:58
A psychiatrist is an MD who has done additional training (a residency) in psychiatry, which includes both physical/medication issues and areas of psychology, personality, etc. A psychoanalyst (many are MDs, but not all) has undergone lengthy additional training in the "psychological" area, from one or more theoretical perspectives (Freudian, Jungian, etc.), all of which focus on a deep understanding of the patient and of how to use the doctor-patient relationship as a therapeutic tool. Psrt of that training involves being analyzed themselves, as the doctor's self-awareness and self-knowledge is an important part of training and a therapuetic tool. That's not to say that psychiatrists can't be good therapists or that psychoanalysts necessarily are. But, as I've said, for me the combination of an MD who is both a psychiatrist and a pschyoanalyst has worked very well for me. There are books that outline different kinds of therapy (and explain the differences better than I can!). You might want to take a look at one to see which approach feels best to you. Good luck!
> > Here's my two cents again: It does sound now like you should explore making a change. After that amount of time, I think you should feel that your problems have improved in some way. My experience differs from Danny's and JohnL's. My psychiatrist is a very good therapist; to help ensure that he would be, I looked for someone with psychoanalytic training. I'm not in classical analysis, but it makes him a good therapist and I really like the fact that psychoanalysts must go through analysis as part of their training, so they know what it's like to be a patient. I would personally be very uncomfortable with a therapist who made me feel "high"; I'm more interested in someone who will listen to what I feel. But different strokes . . . And that's the point. You need to find a therapist who's a good fit with you. Perhaps you don't have to "quit" your current doc before you explore other options. You could find a few other names and set up appointments to meet them and discuss your situation and expectations, sort of like getting a "second opinion." Good luck!
> >
> Victoria--what is the difference between a psycharist and a psychoanalyst? What is "psychoanalytic training"? Thanks-jane
Posted by Deb on July 3, 1999, at 23:10:55
In reply to Re: New ? therapist , posted by Victoria on July 3, 1999, at 20:36:04
I like having a therapist who is also a psychiatrist. It just works out better for me. I saw a psychologist for a while and didn't like the system he had going. I would see him for my therapy sessions, then he would send his recommendations to the overseeing psychiatrist, who might review it a week later or so, then he would write for my meds. Plus I would have to go back to the clinic in person to pick up my scrips from the psychiatrist, and he might talk to me for five minutes or so, and then I'd be billed for a visit with him, too. I interviewed several psychiatrists, and found one who I clicked with and had the credentials I wanted. He uses a mulit-faceted approach, designed to fit the patient. And he has been through extensive analysis himself, and continues to be on a regular basis. It's just a question of finding a person who is right for you and most importantly who is qualified to treat you.
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