Is a psych really necessary

[Sweetsoul36]

I've been on the fence on whether I need to see a psychiatrist or not. What are they able to do that I can't get elsewhere? I have friends to vent to, the internet has lots of info on how to managemy issues, my pcp is able to prescribe my meds, etc.

[Cjonesabq]

If your meds are working then great. My pcp explained ithat they are like air traffic control where the physiatrist can dive in specific to mental suffering and how different meds can help. They are not only an MD but have much more specific training around meds and can therefore offer more in that way to help suffering.

Thats my take anyway...

[jrcnpg]

Has your GP broached the subject of seeing a psychiatrist? What they do is to assess you and then keep or change or reject entirely your current medication and suggest alternatives so that you as a person can find yourself 'well'. If you are American then probably you have to consider money unlike here in the UK with our NHS despite the current government and the previous government chafing away at the NHS's funding. If it may seem a remote decision then maybe one or two consultations will be worth it. If anything they are quite amusing!

[Sweetsoul36 in reply to jrcnpg]

Yes my pcp has suggested one, it's quite expensive though. I have limited insurance coverage.

[jrcnpg in reply to Sweetsoul36]

Your health care system in America has baffled me completely for as long as I can remember. Everything seems to gravitate around money. I used to see a psychiatrist many years ago now who worked in America (which bit of the place he did tell me but that is something I no longer recall) for a period of fifteen years but felt it a necessity to return to England (he is an English psychiatrist now retired) because he was 'sick and tired of rich, fat women' being his only clientele, he being a psychiatrist and an English psychiatrist at that thus becoming something of a status symbol. He disclosed to me once that his job across the pond involved no psychiatric practice in terms of diagnosis and treatment therapeutic or pharmacological, just the dollars those people were prepared to spend. But then I suppose the flash of the colour of any currency is enough incentive for people to prey in so many ways on those of us suffering from mental health issues and a great deal of that does go on. Would your GP not prescribe medications 'to begin with' in an effort to ameliorate your present mental health circumstances? I wish you well.

[Sweetsoul36 in reply to jrcnpg]

He did prescribe meds for me but their knowledge of mental health care only goes so far. Money seems to be the driving force in general, thank you for your response!

[HopingCat]

The only thing that mine was able to do is prescribe medication. The first day I saw her I walked in and she said " I am a psychiatrist MD. Not a counselor. I listen and prescribe medication" I'm like well alright thennnnnnn! Thank God I have a phycologist that listens and talks back!!