how many pdoc's?

just curious about something...
since my diagnosis I've had 6 different PDocs.
the seemed to all be "temps" or just "filling in" but a permanent pdoc never seem to come. some would last longer that others, sure, but they all eventually would leave. I'm also on my third T as well.
how many pdocs have you all had individually? since you were diagnosed? 1? 3? 12? sound off below!
thanks!

I saw a pdoc for the first time when I was hospitalized. Thank God for that kind man. He helped save my life when I was at my lowest point ever. I got out and went into IOP for 6 weeks and saw another pdoc there. After that, I called the office of the doctor I saw in the hospital. I've seen two doctors from his practice since, so 4 in total over the course of 6 months. Seems like a lot.

I have only had one therapist for myself, but I participate in family sessions with my kids as well. We see a woman who specializes in play therapy for that.

I'm not sure but I do know that they were all interim pdocs. Two left to have babies and never came back. My last T just one dayssaid I had two more sessions with her- that it was supposed to be short-term. Now there's a waiting list to see a T. My current pdoc, however, has stuck with me for many years. I like our rapport. We get along well. Then there is the pdoc who first gave me the "bipolar NOS" diagnosis- soon to be changed to "bipolar 1". And last but not least, all the pdocs I saw while inpatient at various hospitals and psych emergency services.

Gosh I can’t even count. I’ve had problems since I was 14. Even just in my adult life I wouldn’t be able to tell. Are we counting pdocs in program such as IOP or php? If so then I’ve had a lot. I think I’ve only had four outpatient pdocs though.

I'm in a resident clinic so I get new residents every few months but the attending is always the same. It's interesting to see how differently they look at my symptoms and history. I've had more ts than I can count. I didn't do well with therapy until I started dbt. But I graduated dbt and now supposed to find a new therapist for maintenance therapy. Not sure I actually want to do that.

wow, fern46, 4 in 6 mos total? yeah, seems like a few. I wonder if they each brought something different to the table. I've lost count now how many I've had. but each had to tweak my meds at one juncture or another. this new pdoc I have has been at the practice a very long time so I guess, I've worked my way up to him lol. I wish I could have had just one T all this time. my current T is my first male T, and no doubt he's very different. I do like him though, so I will stick it out with both of them for now. hope they don't go anywhere!

I don't generally count the psychiatrists I saw in the psych hospital or Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospital programs. If I did, my answer would be around 22. If I only count psychiatrists I saw on a private basis, the answer would be 5. Out of the 5, the most significant ones were the psychiatrist that originally diagnosed me with bipolar disorder (who I saw for about four weeks total, then one more time a year later when he hospitalized me), and my current one, whom I have been seeing for about 14 years. I have a deep affection for my current psychiatrist. There's a bit of story behind that. He is an incredibly kind and caring man. There will be a day when I have to stop seeing him. That will be very sad for me.

Excluding hospital therapists and IOP/PHP therapists, which are hard to count, I've seen many more private therapists (14) than private psychiatrists (5). There are many stories behind my frequent changes in therapists. A handful were only one visit long.

I've only had one. I've been seeing him for 8 or 9 years.

Only 2. But Ive only been in treatment around three and a half years. Plus I live in two different areas, so Ive just had one for each place

15-17 psychiatrists (including inpatient and outpatient) and 3 therapists.

Oh wow, way too many to count. In the military I had a new pdoc about every two years. When I moved here I had residents, so it was every year for about eight years, I think. I also had IP pdocs. Just a lot of them.

Yes, it feels like a lot to me too. The first doctor I saw is a good man. He made me feel like I would be ok despite the trauma I experienced. He was very personable and caring and I needed that at the time. I was scared and it was my first time in a hospital. I had never spent a night away from my kids and he helped me come to grips with that. He's the reason I see the doctors I see now. They work for his practice. There are two of them and I am just assigned one when I arrive. I don't get to choose. I like the male more than the female. He takes his time and actually listens. She rushes me along. Both of them think I was maybe misdiagnosed initially. They haven't seen my mood shift up or down in 6 months and I've never been depressed before.

I really liked my IOP doctor. She was cool and and she challenged me. She asked deep questions and spent a lot of time with me. I would have loved to see her outside of the program, but she doesn't have a private practice.

All of my doctors have been helpful. I feel like they all listened when I said I am sensitive to meds and cannot handle high doses. They all worked with me to bring me out of psychosis, but not sedate me to the point I was a completely different person. They all helped keep me safe so that I could be with my children. I am grateful to all of them.

Not counting IP I've had more than I thought . One in grad school until he died and then I saw his replacement once. She suggested I might be bipolar and I walked out of her office. About 2 years later I started with another pdoc in private practice who was terrible. I went from her to a mood disorder clinic where I saw 3 pdocs, which one depending on the day. They were very good and I bonded well with one in particular. I did a 6 month clinical trial there; it was never going to be permanent. And since then (2003) I've been seeing the same one who is amazing and wonderful and I can't say enough good things about her.

glad you found someone who eventually worked out for you, long term. thanks!

Goodness, that's a good question. I want to say about 10 or 12 including IP and IOP visits. Maybe one or two more than that, I've lost count. Mainly because I've moved a lot, and changed jobs a lot and a new job means new insurance so I get a new pdoc. When it comes to therapists, I have no clue. I've been on and off the therapist chair so many times. But if i have to pick, I'd say 8 to 10.

Seven psychiatrist's since I first went into treatment twenty years ago, but only two since diagnosed about six years ago. This is not counting the many psychiatrist's I have seen for second opinions, and to assess me to be locked up. Most of them sucked but the one I have now is great.

Not including the pdoc who is solely responsible for ECT, I think I've had three pdocs. Thanks to the ECT I can't say for sure. Same with regards to the therapists though I've been with my current T for more than 10 years.

it's pretty awesome when we find someone who works for us. good for you! thanks.

Not including IP, I have seen 4 pdocs over the past 21 years, with my current being absolutely amazing! I have seen her for about 3 years now I think and she is by far the best! Therapists, on the other hand, I’ve literally seen between 20 to 30, about 4 of whom were helpful. The reason it was so many is because I wouldn’t open up to anyone and my parents were desperate when I was young. My current therapist has made the most significant difference in my life though as she uses different techniques such as emdr and havening and is very good at them. I have also connected with her to the extent that I have only ever connected with one other therapist. I also like that she is about 10 years or less older than me so I can most likely see her long term without worrying about her retiring and me having to start again.

In over twenty years I have had one psychiatrist and that consistency has been the key to my success. I will be lost without him, but I am very grateful.