Can I see two different psychiatrists?

fred4761 · ‎26-10-2020

In Jan my psychiatrist of 6 years abruptly stopped working due to a health concern. It was all very sudden and I spent the next few months working with my GP to find a new psych - not easy with Covid going on at the same time. Eventually we found one who I clicked with - although he is an hour away. I started seeing the new psych and we quickly moved to weekly appointments as it felt like I needed more regular appointments to work through my issues. Last week I received an email from my old psych saying that his treatment has been successful and he is cleared to resume working again. I am very torn. I feel like I am making progress with this new psych, yet there is something about the comfortableness of the old psych that I am drawn to.

At the moment I am wondering if it is possible to see both psychiatrists - I feel like I am getting different things from each of them.

The old psych used CBT to address current symptoms. He managed my medication and was happy to complete ongoing insurance forms and be an advocate for me when they were demanding unreasonable requests. He did help me to get on top of things, although it felt like I was starting to plateau. Prior to him leaving we discussed trying a psychologist again to complement what I was doing with him.

The new psych has a psychotherapy approach and has focussed on exploring how my childhood/adolescence/adulthood has impacted my life. Working through these issues has been hard and emotional, yet I feel as though I have been able to work through some of my problems. During my initial app he told me that he didn't want to do insurance forms and paperwork and will manage my meds if need be yet would prefer my GP to do that as he has taken more of a holistic approach to treatment the past few years and has moved away from the other stuff. I had tried seeing psychologists previously, yet never found one that worked well with my issues. It seemed as though they were all against the medication side of things. I feel like with this new psych I have someone who has had all the training and experience of psychiatry with additional studies in psychotherapies which is what I am benefitting from.

fred4761 · ‎26-10-2020

I ran out of characters before I finished my post so here is the rest of it . . . .

I intend to discuss this with both the new and old psychiatrists, yet I am wondering if it is possible to see them at the same time - or is this just crazy? I don't want to insult or offend either one of them by suggesting it but I feel like they both have been upfront about the limitations as to what they can offer me. Put together they make the perfect psychiatrist! If I can only see one of them then I would choose to stick with the new psych and continue seeing my GP regularly for meds and insurance forms. I just feel like I have a better relationship with the old psych than with my GP.

romantic_thi3f · ‎27-10-2020

Hi fred4761

Thank you for your post. The very short answer is yes you absolutely can, there's no rules.

The longer answer is that while you absolutely can, it can get a little complicated and complex at times. Particularly as both of your psychiatrists are doing therapy - even if they have different approaches. CBT is often seen as 'surface level' therapy (even though it's very effective at times) and psychotherapy is seen as a deeper level approach. Both can help as you've seen so yourself, but - both are very connected. As an example, you've probably learned about core beliefs in CBT - and these core beliefs can come from our upbringing - which is where psychotherapy can come in.

So, it's something to think about hopefully. I definitely think you can have a chat to them and they wont be offended - it's sorting out the best care for you. The only thing I think they will be stern on is that only one psychiatrist should ever be used for medication management.

I hope this helps

rt

fred4761 · ‎27-10-2020

Thanks for your advice rt.

I had a chat to my new psychiatrist today at our appointment and he is happy to continue seeing me for the pscyhotherapy side of things and is also happy for me to resume seeing my old psychiatrist for CBT, any insurance paperwork and for medication management. I still need to talk to my old psychiatrist and make sure that this is suitable for him too but I am feeling more optimistic about seeing both of them!

geoff · ‎28-10-2020

Hi Fred, yes you can, but down the track one may say something that may question the principles of the other, and if there are any problems with the medication, then who is going to make the decision.

I hope your old psych stays well and perhaps if you feel that both of them will benefit you, then your mental health is up to you, but what you need to remember is that there maybe a query one of them can help you with, but instead you're visiting the other psych who won't be able to help you.

Take care.

Geoff.

fred4761 · ‎30-10-2020

Thanks Geoff. I am going to see how I go seeing both psychiatrists. They know each other and are happy to work alongside each other as long as it is working for me. Both psychiatrists have been clear about designating one of them to be soley responsible for my medication. My new psychiatrist was happy for my old psychiatrist to continue managing it. I am honestly not sure how it will all work out. I feel fortunate that I have two psychiatrists who are able to help me in different ways, and who are willing to work alongside of each other. My new psychiatrist has suggested trying it for a while and regularly reviewing the situation to make sure that it is working for me. I guess the important thing will be to make sure that we are keeping communication open with each other. I might have to report back in a month or so to update with how it is all working out.

geoff · ‎31-10-2020

Hi Fred, allow yourself a little time to settle in with both of them, because when you're with one psychiatrist, you'll be conscious of the other, and if need be, lock each session away because they both do separate counselling.

Please get back to us.

Geoff.

Doolhof · ‎31-10-2020

Hi Fred,

It sounds like you have thought long and hard about your decision here, have discussed it with both psychiatrists and you mentioned they know each other. As professionals, they will soon know if this arrangement is not benefiting you.

It sounds like you are all willing to give this a try. One therapist is not always able to provide all we need, so it is wonderful you have found two people who are willing to work together to assist you.

If the situation does become confusing, that you always have the option of choosing a different strategy in the future.

Hope you gain great insight and help from these two people.

Cheers from Dools