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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 29, 2011, at 1:26:28
I suffer from anxiety, panic disorder and depression...... reasonably well controlled on
Sertraline 100mg om
Reboxetine 4mg bid
Alprazolam 1mg bid - tid
Risperidone 1mg nocte
I have recently moved to a new (much smaller) town to get my life back on track (its a bit of a boom town, so easier to get back into professional work here...... my career fell apart when I went crzy)
It seems however, that medical specialists of all sorts, including psychiatrists, are in very short supply here, and my GP has more or less asid that they have their hands full dealing with psychotic patients, and thet most neurotic spectrum disorders need to be managed by a GP, with review by a psychiatrist perhaps if anything changes.
Given that my psychiatrists appointments were once every 3 months, and consisted of him askinhhow I was, me saying not bad, him asking if anything in particular was worrying mer, him saying no, then him writing a prescription, should I be worried about letting a GP manage my case?
Posted by jms600 on June 29, 2011, at 8:13:52
In reply to Psychiatrist or not?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 29, 2011, at 1:26:28
I guess it depends on how well you're doing and if you feel that you are on a med combo that is working. I see my p/doc every month - sometimes even more often than that when I'm at my worst. I too suffer from panic disorder, anxiety and depression. The trouble is, GPs are not specialists - psychiatrists are. If you're not happy with the psychiatrist you saw, insist on seeing a different one.
Posted by zonked on June 29, 2011, at 10:01:08
In reply to Psychiatrist or not?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 29, 2011, at 1:26:28
> I suffer from anxiety, panic disorder and depression...... reasonably well controlled on
>
> Sertraline 100mg om
>
> Reboxetine 4mg bid
>
> Alprazolam 1mg bid - tid
>
> Risperidone 1mg nocte
>
> I have recently moved to a new (much smaller) town to get my life back on track (its a bit of a boom town, so easier to get back into professional work here...... my career fell apart when I went crzy)
>
> It seems however, that medical specialists of all sorts, including psychiatrists, are in very short supply here, and my GP has more or less asid that they have their hands full dealing with psychotic patients, and thet most neurotic spectrum disorders need to be managed by a GP, with review by a psychiatrist perhaps if anything changes.
>
> Given that my psychiatrists appointments were once every 3 months, and consisted of him askinhhow I was, me saying not bad, him asking if anything in particular was worrying mer, him saying no, then him writing a prescription, should I be worried about letting a GP manage my case?I don't know about your country, but in the US most antidepressant prescriptions are written by GPs. If you're doing fine on the meds you're taking now, you shouldn't have any trouble getting refills. If it's time to change something and your GP doesn't seem to know what he's doing, I would appeal to your government and ask to see a psychiatrist. Your posts here indicate a great deal of insight and knowledge, let us know how you do. Best of luck, -z
Posted by Phillipa on June 29, 2011, at 11:27:31
In reply to Re: Psychiatrist or not? » jono_in_adelaide, posted by zonked on June 29, 2011, at 10:01:08
Caught in a Catch 22 like me in the States no good pdocs or even ones taking new patients or medicaire so travel 8 hours total to see old pdoc. But soon she will retire no idea what will happen then. Are you thinking of returning to work? Phillipa
Posted by christ_empowered on June 29, 2011, at 11:56:08
In reply to Re: Psychiatrist or not?, posted by Phillipa on June 29, 2011, at 11:27:31
As long as you don't need crazy complex pill combos, I think a GP would be fine...they would even be able to make sure everything was OK physically, and they tend to be more aware of TD and other drug-induced problems than shrinks. I think you'll be fine with a GP.
Posted by floatingbridge on June 29, 2011, at 19:01:57
In reply to Psychiatrist or not?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 29, 2011, at 1:26:28
Jono, the advantages of having a psychiatrist, even an appointment in hand for three months time, is something to consider, sort of prophylactically, and as a steadying point. You can always cancel prior to going if you feel fine. This would avoid even having to to think about it, esp if your involved in a new job and place.
Here the pdocs of my healthcare provider are booked until well, mid-August. And I need to travel about an hour in o.k. traffic.
I think an anxiety disorder should be treated as any other disorder. Why not retain a specialist? You can have your gp still manage unless you decide you want a pdoc's input.
Best wishes,
fb
> I suffer from anxiety, panic disorder and depression...... reasonably well controlled on
>
> Sertraline 100mg om
>
> Reboxetine 4mg bid
>
> Alprazolam 1mg bid - tid
>
> Risperidone 1mg nocte
>
> I have recently moved to a new (much smaller) town to get my life back on track (its a bit of a boom town, so easier to get back into professional work here...... my career fell apart when I went crzy)
>
> It seems however, that medical specialists of all sorts, including psychiatrists, are in very short supply here, and my GP has more or less asid that they have their hands full dealing with psychotic patients, and thet most neurotic spectrum disorders need to be managed by a GP, with review by a psychiatrist perhaps if anything changes.
>
> Given that my psychiatrists appointments were once every 3 months, and consisted of him askinhhow I was, me saying not bad, him asking if anything in particular was worrying mer, him saying no, then him writing a prescription, should I be worried about letting a GP manage my case?
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 29, 2011, at 19:41:59
In reply to Re: Psychiatrist or not?, posted by Phillipa on June 29, 2011, at 11:27:31
I have been back in work for 6 months, and am doing pretty well.... I think I will go with the GP for now, and if I feel the need, see a shrink later.
I guess me seeing a shrink regularly might mean someone who realy needs one cant get an appointment, which wouldnt be fair, so I'll let the GP prescribe my meds, and see hw we go.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 29, 2011, at 19:44:19
In reply to Re: Psychiatrist or not? » jono_in_adelaide, posted by floatingbridge on June 29, 2011, at 19:01:57
If needed, I can even go back to my old town and see my psychiatrist there, it means a palne flight, but he knows my case etc, so that isnt an impossability.
Posted by floatingbridge on June 29, 2011, at 20:10:45
In reply to Re: Psychiatrist or not?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 29, 2011, at 19:44:19
> If needed, I can even go back to my old town and see my psychiatrist there, it means a palne flight, but he knows my case etc, so that isnt an impossability.
A plane flight? Maybe he would be willing to phone consult if you ever felt the need.
I am really glad to hear you are doing well.
Posted by Phillipa on June 29, 2011, at 21:59:34
In reply to Re: Psychiatrist or not? » jono_in_adelaide, posted by floatingbridge on June 29, 2011, at 20:10:45
Reason I drive the distance I do all day trip as she knows me my family may not be the best but takes my insurance also. When she soon retires that's when the true problems begin as lack of them here. Phillipa
Posted by bleauberry on July 2, 2011, at 20:12:10
In reply to Psychiatrist or not?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 29, 2011, at 1:26:28
Some GPs are better than psychiatrists.
The best psychiatric clinician I've ever had is actually just a nurse, better than 12 psychiatrists and 2 GPs. Before her however, the GP was better than the pdocs.
You never know. I guess you'll find out?
This is the end of the thread.
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