“Therapy” from a psychiatrist

MatBell · Feb 17, 2020 at 02:52 PM

I now talk to a psychiatrist. Not really therapy at all. It’s like talking to a wall and it really annoys me just thinking of it. If I write to him when feel really awful he either doesn’t answer or does so with a single word. Now, I don’t expect therapy from him not being a therapist, just an empathic and attentive human being to talk to.

I don’t think he can understand the severity of my problem like my previous therapist could. She was a much better and more finely tuned people person.
These days are unbelievably rough. I have no one to talk to about it. My family clearly doesn’t care that much.
Don’t know what to do about it. Just had to rant a bit here.

Rive. · Feb 17, 2020 at 03:06 PM

Psychiatrists aren't really the best at 'talk therapy' but more so at pushing meds and moving on to the next patient. Just like cattle: in and out.

Mostly, different training and school of thought.

If you want an empathetic figure, a therapist would be the better option.

Elio · Feb 17, 2020 at 04:29 PM

My T is a pDoc that I see only for therapy. I think it all depends. One of the other pDocs that shared her waiting area said on his website that he would not prescribe unless the patient was being seen for therapy too. So, I think it just depends on school of thought; both of these pDocs are along the psychoanalytical road.

ScarletPimpernel · Feb 17, 2020 at 05:40 PM

My ex-Pdoc did a little therapy with me. We would work on DBT skills and she would have me track my moods to see how I was doing. I miss her

stopdog · Feb 17, 2020 at 06:28 PM

From the ones I have dealt with as an attorney (I have never gone to a psychiatrist personally) -the majority of them seem to have less personality than wall paper paste

sarahsweets · Feb 18, 2020 at 04:47 AM

IMO you should seek out a person suited for each need. A psyche went to medical school and tends to be the person for med management. A therapist went to school for "emotional" management. You wouldnt have your therapist manage your medication or take medical advice from them right?

maybeblue · Feb 18, 2020 at 05:46 AM

Psychiatrists used to do a lot of talk therapy, and I think that a few still do, but most now seem to just do med management. Personally I tend to avoid them whenever possible and get therapy from a therapist and my meds from a family doctor. I saw one once remotely that was ok, but the ones around here are annoying.

nottrustin · Feb 18, 2020 at 05:59 AM

In my experience most psychiatrists are not really trained in therapy. The are trained in the chemical make up of the body. I have only personally seem a psych np. Around here some schools them to actually provide some counseling as part of their practicum.

nicoleflynn · Feb 18, 2020 at 06:38 AM

A psychologist (talk therapy) would be best.

zoiecat · Feb 18, 2020 at 08:20 AM

My pdoc has the personality of a worm. I would not see her for therapy if she was the last person on earth. She doesn't even believe in DID. She is always asking if I still have personalities.

splitimage · Feb 18, 2020 at 08:42 AM

Around here, most psychiatrists don't do talk therapy, more meds management. I've had a couple of pdocs who did talk therapy as well, but they were in the minority.

I wouldn't want to do therapy with my current pdoc, much as I like him. He's great with my meds, listens to me as a patient and gets me an appointment quickly if I'm in a crisis. That's enough for me.

splitimage

SarahSweden · Feb 18, 2020 at 10:28 AM

Interesting post. How come you ended up with this psychiatrist to talk to? Is it because of lack of options when it comes to therapists? I can relate to what you describe as I currently see a counselor without a therapist licence and even if she´s nice and she tries to listen (I know your psychiatrist doesn´t even succeed in doing that) I always get the feeling that there´s something lacking. I´ve been a patient for several years and see no other option than to continue with her even if I know I would need something else.

hopealwayz · Apr 22, 2020 at 10:48 PM

My T is a psychiatrist and he has a good balanced approach and doesn’t push meds as the only answer.

nottrustin · Apr 23, 2020 at 06:01 AM

I really think it depends on the pdoc and where they work. Many places only schedule 15 minutes for med management so sadly the appointment is too short for any therapy type work. That along with the fact that many schools do not teach pdocs therapy makes it harder to find somebody who offers both.

I work with one pdoc who was a therapist for a number of years before going back to school to become a psychiatrist. She is able to provide some T to her clients but it is limited by time constraints

I personally see a psychiatrist nurse practitioner. The school in my area requires all psych nps to take counseling classes and during their internships to also complete hours of strictly therapy. She works at a facility that schedules half hour appointments

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Rive. Magnate Member Since Sep 2013 Posts: 2,014 10	Feb 17, 2020 at 03:06 PM #2 Psychiatrists aren't really the best at 'talk therapy' but more so at pushing meds and moving on to the next patient. Just like cattle: in and out. Mostly, different training and school of thought. If you want an empathetic figure, a therapist would be the better option.
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Elio ............... Member Since Sep 2006 Location: in my head Posts: 2,911 17 8,779 hugs given	Feb 17, 2020 at 04:29 PM #3 My T is a pDoc that I see only for therapy. I think it all depends. One of the other pDocs that shared her waiting area said on his website that he would not prescribe unless the patient was being seen for therapy too. So, I think it just depends on school of thought; both of these pDocs are along the psychoanalytical road.
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ScarletPimpernel Wise Elder Member Since Nov 2013 Location: US Posts: 8,410 (SuperPoster!) 10 6,418 hugs given	Feb 17, 2020 at 05:40 PM #4 My ex-Pdoc did a little therapy with me. We would work on DBT skills and she would have me track my moods to see how I was doing. I miss her __________________ "Odium became your opium..." ~Epica
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sarahsweets Threadtastic Postaholic Member Since Dec 2018 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,006 (SuperPoster!) 5 192 hugs given	Feb 18, 2020 at 04:47 AM #6 IMO you should seek out a person suited for each need. A psyche went to medical school and tends to be the person for med management. A therapist went to school for "emotional" management. You wouldnt have your therapist manage your medication or take medical advice from them right? __________________ "I carried a watermelon?" President of the no F's given society.
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maybeblue Grand Member Member Since Jan 2018 Location: USA Posts: 816 6 70 hugs given	Feb 18, 2020 at 05:46 AM #7 Psychiatrists used to do a lot of talk therapy, and I think that a few still do, but most now seem to just do med management. Personally I tend to avoid them whenever possible and get therapy from a therapist and my meds from a family doctor. I saw one once remotely that was ok, but the ones around here are annoying.
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nottrustin Grand Magnate Member Since Jan 2014 Location: n/a Posts: 4,819 10 375 hugs given	Feb 18, 2020 at 05:59 AM #8 In my experience most psychiatrists are not really trained in therapy. The are trained in the chemical make up of the body. I have only personally seem a psych np. Around here some schools them to actually provide some counseling as part of their practicum. __________________
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nicoleflynn Grand Magnate Member Since Jan 2012 Location: rochester, michigan Posts: 3,111 12 60 hugs given	Feb 18, 2020 at 06:38 AM #9 A psychologist (talk therapy) would be best.
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zoiecat Grand Member Member Since Apr 2017 Location: USA Posts: 916 7 409 hugs given	Feb 18, 2020 at 08:20 AM #10 My pdoc has the personality of a worm. I would not see her for therapy if she was the last person on earth. She doesn't even believe in DID. She is always asking if I still have personalities.
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hopealwayz Magnate Member Since Jan 2016 Location: In my mind Posts: 2,281 8 272 hugs given	Apr 22, 2020 at 10:48 PM #13 My T is a psychiatrist and he has a good balanced approach and doesn’t push meds as the only answer.
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