Why would a psychiatrist decline to see me?

3rd rock · Jul 11, 2019 at 07:21 PM

My GP has been trying to get me referrals to private psychiatrists, and so far 2 have declined to have me as a patient. They didn't say why. She (GP) will try more, but they might decline to take me as well. What are some of the reasons why a psychiatrist would not want to take a particular patient? I won't go into the details, but I have an extensive history of psychiatric problems, ranging from the mild to the severe.

What are some of the reasons a psychiatrist might decline to see me?

Do they not take me seriously?

Do they not want to see someone who is truly ill?

Would they rather see patients who are only moderately ill?

Or do they just not have room on the roster for additional patients at the moment?

downandlonely · Jul 11, 2019 at 07:24 PM

Maybe your illness is out of their area of expertise or maybe they aren't taking new patients. Really, there's no way for us to know if they don't tell you.

HowDoYouFeelMeow? · Jul 11, 2019 at 07:44 PM

I agree with the above post. I’ve also read that some private practice mental health practitioners don’t take patients with severe issues since the practitioners aren’t associated with a hospital and therefore don’t have admitting privileges which could make things more complicated if hospitalization ever became needed.
I’ve even heard of a therapist who had a client hospitalized involuntarily, then terminated with the client because they then had a hospitalization history. That sucks and sounded like an incompetent T, though, rather than bureaucratic issues.
Another possibility is that they they don’t work with your method of payment.

Misery Business · Jul 11, 2019 at 09:29 PM

They may not take your insurance.
They may only work with certain patients who have certain diagnosis.
Have you as a patient had other Psychiatrists in the past where you terminated there services without notice? I am not saying you have, but this could be a factor in a new Psychiatric placement.

Jul 11, 2019 at 11:06 PM

It could be that they don't have room on the roster. I'm in Canada as well. The only way I got a psychiatrist in my lifetime was from being hospitalized.
Also, if you aren't in the same township/area, that may be a reason. I don't think it has to do with your history. One way to find out would be to call directly yourself, and ask. Or ask your gp why you are getting declined. I'd do it. wish you the best.

3rd rock · Jul 12, 2019 at 01:10 AM

Thank you all for your posts. 2daffodils experience sounds similar to mine. I've found timely care when on the psychiatric ward (and after release) some years back, but otherwise have struggled to get anything. I'm in British Columbia. I would hazard a guess that the local public health unit's psychiatric services are geared towards helping people who are currently in crisis, which is not currently me. I've never had anything but psychiatrists through the public health unit. I have extended health coverage through work (currently on medical leave) as well as the public health care here in BC.

My GP said the private psychiatrists' offices provided no reason for declining to take me, they just simply declined. She's going to try more. My GP is really good and I've known her since I was a small child. I fear having to wait months and months to get in to see a psychiatrist in private practice. It's really dejecting and makes me feel hopeless when I can't get any care that I need.

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downandlonely Legendary Member Since Mar 2018 Location: United States Posts: 10,760 (SuperPoster!) 6 10.6k hugs given	Jul 11, 2019 at 07:24 PM #2 Maybe your illness is out of their area of expertise or maybe they aren't taking new patients. Really, there's no way for us to know if they don't tell you.
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Misery Business Grand Member Member Since Jun 2019 Location: USA Posts: 750 4 240 hugs given	Jul 11, 2019 at 09:29 PM #4 They may not take your insurance. They may only work with certain patients who have certain diagnosis. Have you as a patient had other Psychiatrists in the past where you terminated there services without notice? I am not saying you have, but this could be a factor in a new Psychiatric placement.
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