Time To Change Your Doctor?

[Mike5709]

I have been with the same psychiatrist for more than 10 years. Over this time he has been attempting to address my "treatment resistant" depression. We have been through more medicines than I can list here. For over a year now I have been taking 450mg Effexor and 450mg Buproprion, Over the last two months he has sent for a series of ECT treatments.  During my most recent appointment he was pre-occupied with leaving for another personal appointment. The time spent was useless and I felt because of our familiarity he was comfortable in passing me off. Frankly, I felt taken for granted. Had he called to re-schedule me, it would have been fine. Additionally, I sense a clear lack of communication between him and the psychiatrist performing the ECT treatments.

Depression can be a life-long illness so I am wondering if there is a "rule of thumb" for changing psychiatrists if the condition has not been "cured". Thanks very much....Mike

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You should feel free to seek another opinion at any time, but in particular when you are losing trust in your doctor and not getting the results you need.  Think of it as going to a consultation, and then deciding whether you want to change doctors...but you certainly have the right to do that.

[Jaquta]

I think a person needs to do what they feel is best for them.  For some that may mean staying while for others it may mean leaving and finding a new clinician.

I think there are separate issues here (feeling taken advantage of and lack of communication) but I feel they could both come back to your doctor being, or seeming to be, unprofessional.  I think it could help if you discussed your thoughts and feelings with your doctor.  I certainly wouldn't be having any more ect treatment until you felt comfortable with the degree of consultation between your treating clinicians.  I'm biased but I wouldn't be having ect period.

It's possible you just need to rebuild the relationship with your doctor but then I can't see that another opinion would go amiss either.
I personally would be getting an independent assessment from a qualified and experienced psychiatrist.  They're just my thoughts.