Psychologist vs psychiatrist …. Which is best

[Patches63]

Couple months ago my local Dr referred me to physiologist for CBT for PTSD with events going back over many decades.  As part of journaling I typed up a timeline showing yr of event, my age at the time and brief summary of event.  First 2 sessions with psychologist were complete taken up by going through the timeline and her asking questions.  3rd session I was already upset, couple days prior had been told by one of my friends herself and her hubby moving interstate before end of the year.  This information triggered my fears of abandonment with horrible nightmares of me being completely on my own.  Psychologist spent 3rd session trying to calm me down and talked about theory of how trauma affects the brain plus talked about flight, fright, freeze reactions.

local dr at recent appointment has doubled my dosage of anti depressants and said he thinks I will be better off being referred to a psychiatrist due to my PTSD.  When I asked local gp why he thinking about referring me to different therapist after such short period of time his reply was for me to discuss with my psychologist at next session, discuss with her and then have next review with local gp within a week of having next session with psychologist.

Im confused.  I don’t understand why about 7 weeks ago local dr referred me to psychologist and after having only seen psychologist for 3 sessions local dr now thinking psychiatrist is more appropriate.  

has anyone experienced similar?  Any thoughts or experiences regarding the different therapists for PTSD, OCD and associated anxiety?  

Patches

[mmMekitty]

Hello Patches & ER

Patches, my apologies for not returning to your thread sooner.

I enjoy your story about your bear. It amazes me how when something catches your eye, how a bond can form in just a few seconds. I felt like that when I saw my purple bear. I also felt that way when I first saw the picture of Mekitty on RSPCA's website - instantly, I loved her. I knew this little red kitten was Mekitty. (The name came before the cat was even born, while preparing my place for having a cat move in.)

It has unsetled me to realise that I really could rely & trust & talk over anything with my PDr. I nearly had that with another, decades ago, until he left for interstate. More time, I would hav had a good therapeutic relationship with him. I might have avoided a really bad untherapeutic relationship with another.

It's wonderful to find someone you can talk to & feel is thinking of you & willing to discuss & to help find solutions that will work for you. It's encouraging to hear she was willing to explain about how you could have a psychiatrist if only to monitor & maybe adjust medications for you.

I wasn't sure, but it seems your psychologist can recommend to your GP that you be given a referral to a psychiatrist.  However, given how your GP hasn't done it yet, anyway, maybe a different GP would be more helpful?

Even if/when you have a referral & find a psychiatrist who can help you, I feel I ought to warn you to prepare for waiting for a long while for the first appointment.

That's just how things are. 

I like your plans for how to move house. If/when I can move to a more suitable place, I will certainly think of how to move 'slowly', like you plan. I might have to put things in storage, like you, because when/if I leave here, they will want me not to linger, moving 'slowly', like I would prefer. It would reduce the stress of moving so much. For me, although I need to get rid of lots of things, it's actually saying, 'yes, get rid of that' for each thing that is my problem. I won't want to pay for storage very long either.

Hugzies

mmMekitty

[Patches63]

mmMekitty, I can understand what you said about falling in love with picture of a cat.  First time I saw picture of Luna and Sunny on PetRescue website they stole my heart.  I had been looking for short while and had seen other bonded pairs that were nice.  The photos of Luna and Sunny as 3mth old kittens …. There was just something very special.

Doctors clinic .I currently attend is staffed by quite a few doctors and usually people have to see whichever doctor is next available.  I have been considering applying to transfer to doctor who is same suburb as I am moving to. To continue at same doctors clinic I will be driving approx 45 minutes one way.  Based on local dr not making decision himself approx 3 weeks ago to refer me to a psychiatrist is another reason I have thought of applying to transfer to new doctor.

waiting to see a new specialist is something I expect will happen, thanks for the information and thoughts also.  In February this year same local dr referred me to rheumatologist and will have initial appointment in few days time.  I am third generation to have arthritis, have dealt with arthritis for at least 20 years.  This is first doctor who requested blood tests, scans and referral.

this however is second time this year where this same doctor has been hesitant to do referral to a specialist and has sought thoughts of some one else first.  Scan of my spine shows an unusual type of cyst that is growing around the nerves at base of my spine, impact of which is symptoms similar to sciatica.  Due to the amount of arthritis and damage to my spine it has caused maybe local dr is being cautious, I don’t know.  Local dr has said he knows nothing about this type of cyst and wants me to discuss it with rheumatologist prior to possibly referring me to specialised surgeon.

one of the most challenging things when moving is the decisions about what to keep.  My current home is approx half size of my previous house, that move saw me ‘declutter’ and dispose of variety of items.  My new home will be slightly smaller than my current home, this added to location of windows has lead me to have to dispose of items again but will be worthwhile

Pstches

[mmMekitty]

Hello Patches

I attend a GP practice where they also seem to think any GP will do, if they have a slot. When I find a GP I feel I can talk to, who listens, & seems interested, I want to see them, not other GPs, especially if I've already seen them & have found they don't seem to hear me or willing to make any effort at all to help me. So I ask for appointments with the GP I want to see. However, at a busy practice, this may mean I have wait & if it's possible I will, days or a week or even two. Seeing a GP who isn't helpful is as bad as not seeing one at all, whereas seeing a GP who is interested & willing to delve into whatever the problem is, is the most important thing.

Every patient & every problem they bring to GPs is worth their time & all that training they did. If a GP doesn't think their patient is worth any time or effort, they ought to find another job.

Hugzies

mmMekitty

[Patches63]

Decided to take big step and request transfer to new gp.  This new gp has been recommended to me by couple different people who describe her as having a hear of gold, caring and never on time…. Never on time for appointments as she spends those extra minutes with a person when needed.  I don’t mind having appointment and not being able to be seen on time as gp is spending time with person before me.  Received phone call this afternoon that gp is happy to take me on as new patient.  Have been advised by staff at her clinic that might have to wait for few days to get appointment each time due to gp being busy, something I have no problems in doing.  Doing my own research about this new gp I’m impressed with the info I found.

tomorrow is initial rheumatologist appointment which has me feeling nervous but at same time looking forward to going and hoping to get some exact information, possibly help with physical pain

Patches

[mmMekitty]

That's great, Patches. You might also make a request for your records from the old GP to be sent to the new, for whatever information they might have for her to review. 

You might like to make a list of the questions you have for the rheumatologist. It could help when you are nervous, & think you might forget something.

Hugzies

mmMekitty

[divine_inner_goddess]

Hi Patches, 

Well done! That's awesome! It's a very brave thing to do. I agree, it's far better to have a doctor that runs late and spends extra time with patients. I have an awesome doctor. She always takes as much time as I need and I really appreciate that. Sometimes my issues are so complex that it takes a while to discuss everything. I come away from the appointment feeling like I have been heard and supported. It is the best medicine!!! 

I hope your first appointment with the new doctor goes well for you, 

dig

[Patches63]

Had my list of questions as you suggested mmMeKitty but didn’t need them.  There was only one question I had written down that rheumatologist did not cover in the information she gave me as we talked.  I was feeling nervous when I arrived for the appointment, sitting in waiting room for about 25mins after appointment time didn’t help my anxiety.  Just after getting into her room she asked how I was and told her I was feeling scared due to small amount of information provided by local dr and not knowing exactly what outcome of scan means for me.  She was very nice and addressed by fears straight away and acknowledge them as being understandable.  More we talked and more she explained the calmer I became.  I left the appointment fully understanding what is happening with my spine including the physical pain I get.  Brain processed and processed everything last night so not much sleep.  Feeling much better this afternoon both physically plus in my head.

Patches

[Eagle Ray]

Dear Patches,

I'm so happy you are finding this good help, both with the GP and rheumatologist. I am glad the rheumatologist was understanding and helped to alleviate your fears. It was great you could communicate those fears to her. I know sometimes I have fears but don't say them. Being able to share that vulnerability is really good, especially when you have a compassionate person listening. It is so helpful to understand what is happening with your spine. I am really glad you are feeling much better.

Best wishes,

ER

[mmMekitty]

Wonderful, Patches. That you had such a good appointment is really good news.

I found that writing the list usually meant that I could remember all the questions I wanted to ask, so the actual writing of the list was more to prepare myself for the appointment, & so the list stayed in my pocket, not actually needed during the appointment.

It's great to see how you continued to talk & ask questions even though you were feeling so anxious, & how, between your own determination & her respectful considerations of your questions, you began to feel more relaxed & were feeling heard & understood by the end of the appointment.

Wonderful! Give yourself a hug & apat on the back. you can look at yourself in the mirror with pride - this is an achievement for you, worth taking note of.

Hugzies

mmMekitty