Psychitrist Retired, Long term patient

[Rain-Dancer]

Hey ladies and gents,

i have been seeing a psychitrist for 13 years and 4 months ago he mentioned he was retiring in 12 months i than seen him again two months ago and it was mentioned we still had 12 months to plan stuff out

I showed up today an the doc said it was my last visit he was retiring today

i may be able to see another psychitrist but unsure if he will take on my case i have been diagnosed with schitzaphrenia spectrum order

other problems i have are ocd, major depression, anxiety, paranoia

I have had the paranoia and schizaphernia since i was 13 years old i went into hiding most of my life not leaving the house for months and months but came out of my shell around 20 years old

around 16 i started getting depression but it didnt hit me untill 24-25 now i struggle from than to today im 38 with deep depression i smile on the outside but i am mentally a mess its rare a day passes i dont get suicide thoughts

since being on medication my depression is still the same, my paranoia went very silent for several years but iver the past year it is creeping back up i just lost several friends due to it

Who or what do i do now? Im on centrelink and have been pretty much my whole life i have had around 15 jobs when i was younger but couldnt work anymore than 2 days at ghe same place, i have been on dsp for the past 12-13 years and i understand the pension gets reviewed in febuary my doctor is no longer around

what do i do who do i turn to now?

[White_Rose]

Hello Rain-Dancer

Hello and welcome. Needing a new doctor after seeing the same on for years can be very hard. I'm sorry to hear you are in this position. I would think he would have made arrangements for you to see another psychiatrist but as he has not done so I suggest you see your GP and discuss this with him/her. You will need to get a new referral anyway.

I have some idea how you feel as my GP moved to another practice a year ago after I had been seeing her for 17-18 years. Although your psych has retired can you ask if he will write a letter including your history with him? I think this will be beneficial for you and your new psych. I am sure he will be still around cleaning up his office and storing his files. He cannot simply throw them in the bin. He may even be prepared to copy his file to your next psych but do not hold your breath.

My psych was transferring his handwritten files to a computer storage facility as he was running out of space to store them. If your psych has done this it may be much easier to get his notes.

When we are faced with a situation that seems hopeless, such as your psych retiring, it can be worthwhile to look for the good in this scenario. You can say what do I do, the situation will not change and this correct. However your new psych may have different ideas and treatments to help you. You have a complex mental health history which requires a skilled person to help you. Your next psych may be just the right one.

In the meantime perhaps your GP will pick up the slack. My GP is very good with mental health difficulties and I always find her helpful. I presume your meds are settled, at least for the time being and she will be able to write prescriptions for you.

Can you see her soon and discuss seeing her regularly, at least until you are settled in with a new psych. Perhaps you can talk about how you feel losing this long term psych, the difficulties involved starting with new person and who you should look for. If you click on Get Support above and then navigate to Find a Professional, then enter your needs and see who comes up. Please keep in touch with your GP while you look. GP's generally know who is good on the block and can refer you to some he/she thinks will be able to help.

Hope this has been helpful.

Mary