Psychiatric care

[julieswhimsies]

I cannot find a psychiatrist who will see me. I have literally called all of them. I’m so anxious and depressed. I don’t know what to do.

[peaceout]

Please make an appointment to see your regular Dr. Let him know that you're experiencing anxiety and depression. He can then help by referring you to a Psychiatrist for evaluation and subsequent treatment including therapy and meds, if necessary. I hope in this way you'll be able to find the help you need. Keep posting and let us help you in the meanwhile . . . peace.

[payton0625]

Right now there is a shortage of psychiatrists around, I was told that a lot of CNPs are doing intakes and are able to assess and prescribe medication.... that might be something you can look in to.

[julieswhimsies]

The problem in my area is not a shortage of psychiatrists. I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan. There are literally hundreds of psychiatrists in this area. The problem is that psychiatrists are not willing to accept Medicare, and will not treat anyone ocher the age of 60. It’s about greed.

[julieswhimsies]

My PCP is aware of the problem. She has tried to be helpful. Psychiatrists need to accept Medicare. They refuse to do that.

[Agora1 in reply to julieswhimsies]

I'm so sorry julieswhimsies, I didn't know that they don't accept Medicare. As for people over the age of 60, I have seen them in my doctor's office. Things need to change for sure. xx

[gogogirl in reply to julieswhimsies]

This is unacceptable. I hope you can contact social services ( you probably have already ) and see what they advise. Medicare is supposed to help people , and I agree with you for a psych to just refuse to see someone because of what insurance they carry is terrible. Is there a community health center that can help? Of course psych should accept medicare- they are supposed to help people!

[julieswhimsies in reply to gogogirl]

Social Services referred me to the medical school’s psychiatric residency program. I would be seen by a resident psychiatrist. This is completely unacceptable to me. I have PTSD...a complicated version of it...not just garden variety depression and anxiety. The last time I was seen by a young resident, he loaded me with lamictal. (Lamictal should be started gradually.) I developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome...a NIGHTMARE of a drug reaction. I literally had blisters on top of blisters COVERING my entire body. I spent more than a year in and out of the hospital...much of it in the burn unit. Seriously. Google it. I refuse to go near another resident psychiatrist.

[gogogirl in reply to julieswhimsies]

Oh no! I am sorry and do not blame you.

[gogogirl in reply to julieswhimsies]

I am sure you have done that but is there a senior /elder services agency that can help? It seems that healthcare today is all about insurance and not helping people. I thought there was an oath to do no harm and to help.

[julieswhimsies in reply to gogogirl]

Unfortunately, being over the age of 65 puts you in the “geriatric” category of psychiatry, whether or not you’re actually “geriatric.” Mental health professionals recognize the fact that a problem exists within psychiatry, but no one is doing anything about it. Just because an individual is over the of 65, they don’t necessarily fit into that cookie cutter mold. I’m a professional artist/photographer, open water swimmer. I don’t need a specialist.

[gogogirl in reply to julieswhimsies]

I am over that magic age also it is good to see others who are older on here because the problems might have a different focus at times than some of the young people on here. I understand being called geriatric even though I do not consider myself to be that way either. Please let me know how you are doing with your search. An open water swimmer? Imagine that.

[pinnk812]

same here! :/ I lived in Miami, FL then moved about 45 minutes away to like a more uncrowded area. I always have trouble finding psychiatrists. Waiting lists are like 3 months sometimes. Yet they wonder why people don’t get help 🙄. It’s a hassle.

[Cathy63]

When I went through the worst of my depression, I went to my regular MD for medication and a psychologist for therapy. Maybe that might work for you. I don't know if psychologists take medicare, but some of them might work with a sliding scale, charging what people can afford.