Hi,

I have been seeing the same psyciatrist since 4/05, and he is alright, basically does what I say to do, and as a bipolar I am realizing SLOWLY, that maybe that is not so good.

He is disorganized and I was in the hospital recently, and he never returned my husband's calls nor my on staff psychiatrist at the hospitals calls. My on staff at hospital pdoc had to rely on my list I made up for my husband.

To be quite frank about it, I was very hurt that my pdoc could not be bothered nor reached. I have seen him twice since the hospital and has no comments.

I researched the on staff psychiatrist from the hospital and I am thinking of switching to him because this is the second hospital visit in 2 years and he was my on staff doc both times, and maybe it would make things more fluent?? Any comments?

My problem is he is very strict, he mainly specializes and treats Borderline Personality and I am not Borderline at all, and I am very Bipolar Type I, and with psychotic features BIG TIME. However, I feel about him, he likes to put me on the "weight gaining meds" and does not like any flack about anything.

Strict vs. Loose??? I don't know, I do know he is much more caring deep down, any input. I researched him and talked to a friend in the field who said, Borderline speciality, he is more strict, and that it would be better for me??

Dear NuttyB,
This looks hard for me. I would want some one who was the very best in my part of the state. I would also want someone I could work with.

If you were recently hospitalized, I think you might need the stricter person from here on out. Can he work with bipolar even though he specializes in borderline? Yeah, dumb question since lots of people have both and the meds and symptoms over lap.

What is your gut saying? Is it saying that you like the hospital guy?
Mari

I am scared to switch, since I have done so many in the past. I thought I had a keeper, till this hospital stint and ??

My gut is telling me that the stricter new pdoc would keep me out of the hospital or if I was seeing him, get me out much faster, since he would know that my home life is very safe, I was in 12 days this last time, and 6 of those days, I was stuck in the "senior center" ward with no meds because of the confusion. I called no one not even my husband because I was out of it. After they transferred me to wards he had me out in six days, knowing my history. My husband was able to talk to him because he dealt with him, and HE GAVE A CRAP to call my husband.

So I guess my gut is saying switch, I just hope he is not to hard on me, because I don't want to regret my decision and have to go back to the old one with my tail between my legs, I have appt next week and thinking of saying the hospital visits are getting to frequent and since this new one would be attending at the only hosp. my ins. takes, I need to see him, and just thank him and be on my way.

I always heard it's best to go with your gut feeling. Can you write a list of pros and cons for each doctor and see what the list looks like?

befuddled2

Hey buddy,
I am so sorry that you had to go to the hospital....
I KNOW how upsetting that must have been.
I agree that you may need someone stricter at this time in your life...
when I had my last hypo/manic episode my new pdoc basically... I was afraid of at first.
She had so much control over my life...I needed her so I "behaved" and did what she said eventhough it was so hard. I did not trust the new meds and was afraid to take them.
Now we are more of a team...
The other pdoc I had before was "very nice" and really did not give a crap...prescribed prozac and then let me go manic....remember 2 cars in 3 weeks...
~sigh
anyway...like the others have said...go with your gut and
YOu don't have to confront he old doctor...jsut write a letter send it or fax it...asking for your records...

hang in there
bizi

Dear nuttybuddy,

Talk to your present shrink and tell him about your concern that he isn't attentive enough when you start to wig out. Maybe he can change.

Everyone's personality is different. However, if I had to choose between a loose, inattentive shrink and an authoritarian shrink, I would choose the former. The mere fact that the latter brooks no questions regarding the weight gaining properties of meds suggests an attitude that may be an impediment.

Dear Highthatsize,

I did cry/talk to my current pdoc about how I felt about him not be attentive, and I got no, "I am sorry," or explanation, that I came up with on my own which was he is not the attending on this hospital. He has lost my file in his car, he has a crappy office that tells you no refills, then you have to leave messages and go "postal," because he forgot.

The would be "new" pdoc does try to address weight issues but I have conceded that those drugs that purport to help with weight really do not, such as topamax, barf, and those drugs I need seroquel, which I do need to stop the auditory hallucinations, can make you gain. To be frank, I have only gained 5lbs since 9/21, date of hosp. inpatient, and that is a miracle.

I need love, and support, which I get from my addiction therapy group, but I need someone at this hospital, because, I need out of there, when I need in or out.

Its a long story.

My concern is that I am talky, and I like to be funny and joke, he specializes in Borderline, and my only concern which I will need to address with him is, I seriously am not Borderline.

Dear NuttyB,
You don't have to look at it as closing doors behind you. I am sure that if you stop seeing your pdoc for a while, you could still go back. And if you tell him the very practical reason that he cannot see you in the hospital, he will accept it.

Your main concern right now seems to be continuity of care while in the hospital. This is hugely important and can make the difference in lots of things. So I like the idea of the hospital pdoc.

If he has Borderline for a hobby horse, that could be annoying. But you can explain things to him. He is probably smart enough.

Mari