Your first Doctor is not Always the Best

[ArmandCNP]

I can think of two glaring examples from my treatment that prove the subject of this threat true.

One, a psychiatrist once took me off of 4 of my 5 anti-psychotics. Upon being asked if this course of action would improve my symptoms, he softly said, "let's hope". Like a compliant patient I did as I was told and saw no reduction in symptoms.

Then there was the time I needed to be put on a stimulant to counteract the effects of all of the sedatives that I was taking. He went forward with prescribing the stimulant. What he didn't tell me was that he removed two sedatives from my medication supply. I didn't die, but I found it very hard to focus while I had to overwhelming urge to run laps.

Get second and third opinions. Psychiatrists are there to improve your quality of life. Don't allow him to ruin it.

[alix_in_the_wild]

I find it hard to trust psychiatrists sometimes, and though it's important to be honest with them, the fear is valid. Medication can really make a difference, not just in quality of life but but also just in surviving. Trusting them with such a thing is not easy and, like you said, they can mess up. I think it's important to take a step back sometimes, to wonder "Are they actually helping me? Can I continue trusting them with my life like this?"

Thanks for sharing this