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Dumped by my Psychiatrist

rosiecat
Community Member
Has any one else been dumped by their doctor?  Went to Psych today, feeling crap as usual and was told that I should look for someone else because  he couldn't help me any more.    I was in this huge rut and he didn't know how to help me, someone else might. This is after nearly 10years.  I feel terrible, sad, angry, hopeless and despairing.  I'll get over this in a few days I suppose, when I can think a little clearer.  All that is going through my head now is "what's wrong with me that nothing helps?"
5 Replies 5

blondguy
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hi Rosiecat

Really feel for you on this one Rosie...this does happen, you are not on your own. Your psych is only human and probably was lost him/herself. Depression is an awful disorder that just keeps going like a roller coaster so to speak. You have a strong(excellent) attitude to get on here and talk about it. Well done to you.

It might not mean much but sometimes when my psych doesnt work I just grab my GP (yes I am lucky I have a good one) and he coaches me through the 'rut' which helps a lot.

If you dont have a good GP, do you have a best friend (or 2?) that you can lean on? Sometimes that can help....My support network has 2 people in it....thats the best I can do..and they understand and listen which is so good...even though my depression (and anxiety sometimes) comes back......off and on

The hopelessness, despairing and sadness is awful....Actually going through it now....ugh!

Do you have any people around you...as in family...or anyone that can listen and have empathy for what you are going through? (sorry to ask rosie but just caring here)

If you wish to accept a hug.....I am sending one to you if thats okay 🙂

It might sound meaningless but please 'Be Kind to Yourself' and let us know how you go

More Hugs

Paul

 

 

 

geoff
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni
dear Rosiecat, hello and it's nice to be able to talk with you.
Yes it has happened with me, although that was probably caused by myself, as I went to see her and told her that I was
drinking to self-medicate, but I hadn't been drinking because I had to travel a couple of hours to see her and then two
hours home, as I was given her name by someone who thought she may help.
What she told me was that as I was drinking then my mind would not be clear enough to discuss any concerns I had, but it's
catch-22 here, because how can anybody actually think clearly when they are depressed, we are asked questions which we can't
answer, because there's another problem that's stopping us from even knowing what to say, so we get confused and 'tied-up'
with our thoughts.
Perhaps he could have given you the name of another psychologist/psychiatrist who has dealt with similiar problems, then
you wouldn't have felt so 'forgotten about', because when your psych dumps you where else do want to go to.
It may not be easy for you to overcome this devastating news, and this would only depend on what progress has been made, and whether you can hold your
ground, otherwise you could take a step backwards, which I hope doesn't happen.
My GP is also very good for me to contact him, and often we talk about depression, as he has one son who is suffering from
this illness, so we can talk freely amonst ourselves.
What you need to do now is click onto 'Get Support' at the top of this page and scroll down to 'Find a Professional', where
a list of doctors who are aligned with BB will appear.
These doctor's specialise in mental health, but before you contact them, it could be a good idea for you to write down
what you want to say, just to get you started, and then photocopy this document, so that when you see someone
new just hand them this list, rather than having to repeatedly tell them your story. Geoff. x

pipsy
Community Member
Hi Rosiecat.  You say you've been seeing this guy 10 years, in that time has he helped at all?  Perhaps, it could be, you're on a seemingly endless merry-go-round where no matter what's suggested, nothing seems to be working.  I take it you're on meds, have they helped?  Maybe if you started keeping a diary where you could record when you're at your lowest, what's made you feel that low.  When you're feeling good, same thing, what's made you feel good.  Perhaps as Mary said, a visit to your G.P might help make you feel more positive.  I once had a G.P (years ago) basically tell me what he thought of me, I wasn't too chuffed about it, at the time.  Looking back, though, he did me a favour.  If your psych has gone as far as he can go, it's time to look to other avenues.  Maybe through your G.P, group counselling where 'a problem shared, is a problem halved or solved'.  When one door shuts another one opens, you just have to know how to open the door.  I would see your G.P, tell her/him what happened with the psych, ask if G.P can recommend group counselling.  Perhaps a short stay in hospital where you would have access to counselling.  Just a thought.            

JessF
Valued Contributor
Valued Contributor

Hello rosiecat, it might be helpful if we had a bit more information from you... did your doctor really tell you not to come back, in a single session, after seeing him for ten years? What was the actual conversation? 

What i do know is, part of getting well again means learning new skills, and making new habits to break old, unhealthy ones. Having a good relationship with a psychologist who is a good teacher and motivator is essential. This is a very personal relationship, and sometimes we will just not click with someone. 

I can imagine that a psych would sometimes say to a patient that, for your own best interests, it doesn't seem as if we're making progress and that perhaps it would be best for you to try another type of therapy, or a different practitioner. 

It can be very hard to make steps forward towards recovery, but challenging our negative, unhelpful thoughts and beliefs is a major part of it. For example, you say "nothing helps"... but you also say that you believe these feelings of despair will lift in a few days when you are thinking a bit clearer. This suggests to me that you have a greater awareness of your mind and body than you give yourself credit for.  Perhaps a truer belief than "nothing helps" would be, "sometimes it feels like nothing is working, but I know from past experience that if I give myself a few days that this mood will shift and I will be better able to think about next steps". What do you think?

MisterM
Community Member

Hi rosiecat,

I felt that my psychologist got fed up with me as I kept refusing to do what he asked of me as I felt uncomfortable about it.
I could sense it in the way he spoke to me, he seemed very annoyed and angry.
I haven't been back to see him since. But going in to my last session with him I was angry before I walked in as I was fed up with going to therapy as it was draining on me.