Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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The Missing Doc

PurpleHippo13
PurpleHippo13

So, I am suppose to "see" my PA for psych meds. Every other week she calls off without any consideration for her patients. It's like I don't see her more then I see her. I don't know what to do on this part. It's like she wants me to keep taking my meds, but at the same time, if she stubbs her toe she calls into work and tells them she can't come in. I'm so sick of her calling off without notice. She doesn't care about her patients because if she did, she would be there more often. I know docs have busy lives and sometimes calling off can't be avoided. But this is an every week occurance. I'm suppose to see her maybe every other week or so. Just so my meds are right. Well since my hystorectomy my hormones are out of whack. I wanted to get a mood stabilizer just temporarily until I can see my family practice doc to get on hormone suppliments. Now, I have to suffer another two weeks because this person wants to call off. I wouldn't mind so much if she wouldn't do it EVERY week. She is a terrible doc. I'm really hoping that I can find another psych doc that doesn't call off every other day. And I mean what about her patients that are worse off then me? The ones that really need her. What are they suppose to do while she's taking a leisurely day off. This has happened so many times, she calls off more times than she's at work. I say if she can't do her job then she has no business being a doc and seeing patients. Getting their hopes up and when they really need her she's not there. This is a damn joke trying to see my doc. 

arfie
arfie
This would be the very reason I prefer clinics over private practices. It is far easier for the docs to cover for one another so the patients don't end up high and dry.

Stabilizing support while you find a more functional arrangement, Hippo.
APieceOfMyHeart
APieceOfMyHeart
I had a therapist like this years ago- it's actually why I ultimately fired her. She'd- frequently- cancel the appointment, reschedule it for another day that week then cancel the reschedule. She did this twice in the same month and when I went back through my date book I saw that for the past 3 months she'd cancelled more appointments than she'd shown up for- and it was NOT a close call! What I feel mental health workers really need to keep in mind is it's not JUST that hour/ 15 minutes/ half hour- patients prepare themselves for that time, what they need to discuss, what changes need to take place and a stable client can have a crisis and be holding out for the next appointment without the doctor being aware. This is why coverage is so important- typically a doctor will have a "if you are in crisis and need to be seen call" and then a number. Even if you're not in crisis with how many times it sounds like your doctor has cancelled? I'd call that person. If this has not been provided? I'd inquire- "You know, I really need to be seen- who is providing coverage?"

In the meantime, personally? I'd be looking for another provider.

Best to you- I've been here (sorta- I know when it comes to meds it's arguably even MORE important than a therapist but I know the experience of the canceling mental health worker)
Community LeaderMid
Mid
Writing it out helps you to see how much the issue affects your well-being.

I would agree to checking out another provider. This one may be in crisis and unable to function (and due to it being private practice-not really doing business but being open for business grants and tax breaks).
hyperpgal
hyperpgal
I think it is really hard to get good healthcare-esp mental help. I had a therapist go on vacation basically during what would be the biggest crisis time and goal of my therapy--then either she or the billing dept kept messing up my insurance so they were sending me eobs saying I'd have to pay a ton--talk about creating anxiety--I basically quit last week and am currently looking for someone new...If I can't find someone I can probably survive--at least I won't be hit with a bill for thousands of dollars!! My last therapist had a "psychic revelation" about a memory I have repressed....I quit her after that! The one before that had the same billing issues!!!

The one before that was amazing and I made sooooo much progress with her until she decided to leave the area....
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