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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on November 25, 2012, at 10:05:34
I don't know if anyone can answer this, or if it's more individual-based, but when I first moved to Australia, I went to a private 'boutique' clinic that I found through google.
Anyway, it turns out that the psychiatrist in particular is quite highly esteemed (research tenureship etc.), as I later found out. I was kind of impressed by her approach -- she was Russian (quite stern, but highly knowledgeable), and diagnosed me with atypical depression rather rapidly. Furthermore, she wanted to prescribe Nardil (based on its efficacy), rather than mess around with SSRIs.
She seemed quite liberal -- was willing to prescribe Memantine off-the-bat, whereas it took my current psychiatrist about a year's worth of convincing to try it.
Problem was, she tried to diagnose me with ADD based on some 40 minute computer test, which I aced, so that ended up being out of the question. I also wasn't particularly revealing about how debilitating my anxiety is (defense mechanism, I think, about being overmedicated/fear of losing control etc.), and tended to place more emphasis on cognitive problems I experience.
Anyway, a psychologist I was seeing at the time mentioned that the psychiatrist was beginning to reach the conclusion that I might be psychotic based on my overall academic decline, but the OCD (which I completely downplayed, and which is debilitating) really is the culprit. They worried a Dexedrine trial would drive me psychotic, but aside from increased anxiety, I haven't had anything else peculiar take place ..
I would like to go back to see her, since I've exhausted most options and am kind of grasping at straws .. but I left two years ago .. she called to see if I was okay after I stopped showing up at appointments, and I just said I didn't particularly want to continue treatment at that point. The truth is she was really brutal, confrontational, assertive etc. and I don't really respond well to that kind of treatment (I shirk and become cowardly). I think she meant well, but, yeah, I just found her quite intimidating.
Psychoanalytically, I'm wondering if I'm merely seeking her out again because I found her vaguely abusive (well, that's a slight exaggeration), which is what I'm typically drawn to in women, sadly. But I was also impressed by her expertise and thought a European-trained psychiatrist might be more experimental/liberal, which is what I need at this point. They seem to think out-of-the-box, in my experience.
I have considered writing to her, asking if she will see me again for another evaluation. I at least have the backing of my current psychiatrist (a well-esteemed ADD specialist who has diagnosed me as such), so maybe she will be more open to a reconsideration.
But I wasn't sure if she took my returning as a kind of insult .. i.e. "hey, I exhausted every other option, so here I am" .. and the fact that I left on quite cowardly terms ..
any opinions? would it be worth writing my case history and subsequent experience to her and ask if she'd consider seeing my again?
I guess there really is nothing to lose. I just feel so rejection-sensitive at the moment, that a refusal from her would really throw me .
Posted by Phillipa on November 25, 2012, at 11:08:29
In reply to contacting an old psychiatrist, posted by g_g_g_unit on November 25, 2012, at 10:05:34
It sounds like she was too quick to prescribe meds and not listen to you then. And the doc you see now took the time to really get to know you first before prescribing meds so do you really feel it's in your best interests to try and find this pdoc who you admit was quick on the draw to just write a script? Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 25, 2012, at 16:55:30
In reply to contacting an old psychiatrist, posted by g_g_g_unit on November 25, 2012, at 10:05:34
I'd go for it GGG, she sounds like a realy good doctor, someone who might help you get over the line.
I'd say that you werent ready for her type of treatment then, but that you are ready to accept it noe etc, and see what she says. Maybe even just get a referal from your GP and go and see her and discuss it face to face at your first appointment, i find this stuff often comes across better face to face than it does in a letter or email
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 25, 2012, at 17:08:06
In reply to Re: contacting an old psychiatrist » g_g_g_unit, posted by Phillipa on November 25, 2012, at 11:08:29
And, on the basis that little things mean a lot, take a bottle of wine along as a peace offering to the first consult.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on November 25, 2012, at 22:19:52
In reply to Re: contacting an old psychiatrist, posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 25, 2012, at 16:55:30
Problem is, I'm quite shy/timid (particularly around those I find intimidating), so not sure I'll be very good at expressing myself in person .. I tend to be a lot better in writing.
> I'd go for it GGG, she sounds like a realy good doctor, someone who might help you get over the line.
>
> I'd say that you werent ready for her type of treatment then, but that you are ready to accept it noe etc, and see what she says. Maybe even just get a referal from your GP and go and see her and discuss it face to face at your first appointment, i find this stuff often comes across better face to face than it does in a letter or email
Posted by g_g_g_unit on November 25, 2012, at 22:25:08
In reply to Re: contacting an old psychiatrist » g_g_g_unit, posted by Phillipa on November 25, 2012, at 11:08:29
> It sounds like she was too quick to prescribe meds and not listen to you then. And the doc you see now took the time to really get to know you first before prescribing meds so do you really feel it's in your best interests to try and find this pdoc who you admit was quick on the draw to just write a script? Phillipa
She wasn't actually quick to write me a script. She insisted I try six weeks of behavioural therapy first to see if my depression would respond to positive event/activity. After that failed, she didn't bother with SSRIs (I'd already tried a couple anyway) and went straight to an MAOI, which I was impressed with, because it accords with the research -- i.e. MAOIs are known to be most efficacious in treating atypical depression.
The 'psychotic' conclusion was tenuous and only arrived at after about 2 months of seeing me, and again, it derived more from me withholding how insanely anxious I actually am.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 26, 2012, at 0:07:42
In reply to Re: contacting an old psychiatrist » Phillipa, posted by g_g_g_unit on November 25, 2012, at 22:25:08
Ah, in that case, a letter or email wouldbe your best option then.
Be totaly honest about your condition and everything else, and say that you think you're ready for the sort of treatment that she offers - throw your self on her mercy as it were - she's have to be pretty hard nosed to refuse you a consult.
This is the end of the thread.
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