psychiatrist advice

Has anyone had horrific experiences with seeing a psychiatrist? This past week I had my initial appointment with a new psychiatrist. When we approached the topic of my prior OCD diagnosis, she asked me what it looks like. I told her all about my ROCD and harm OCD. At the end when we went over what she was diagnosing me with, she said that all of the OCD examples I gave her but one just sounded like generalized anxiety. The one she agreed on she said was “classic OCD behavior”. I talked the whole interaction over with my therapist and we approached the situation of if I should switch or if I could use this opportunity to push this psychiatrist to learn more about OCD and that compulsions aren’t just strictly external. After some deep thought I came to the conclusion that if I can help advocate for myself and potentially help someone not experience the same dismissal it would be worth it. Has anyone else had a situation where they felt dismissed or not seen by a psychiatrist? Did you stay with that provider and advocate for yourself? I would love to hear others experiences and any advice you may have when advocating for myself. PS I don’t believe her bc she didn’t do any sort of assessment on me and just made that assumption based off “what my OCD looks like”.

YouWillSurvive

Date posted: 29d

Compulsions AREN'T strictly external. Pure "O" is the broad term for OCD obsessions and compulsions that are internal. Also at least you have anxiety! At least she didn't say "oh you're fine"😂

garbitch

Date posted: 29d

@YouWillSurvive exactly! I don’t even know if she’s familiar with pure O. my main worry is will her not fully recognizing my diagnosis effect her plans and thoughts regarding my medication

YouWillSurvive

Date posted: 29d

@garbitch If you cam find someone more specialized I would recommend it, like if your local hospital has an anxiety disorders center or something. People that specialize really know what they're talking about

OutstandingC...

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 29d

Ugh I don’t have advice but I’m annoyed at her on your behalf!

garbitch

Date posted: 29d

@OutstandingCutieDisorder RIGHT! I don’t think she’s very well versed with OCD bc I don’t think she knows exactly how harmful it can be to discredit it like that!!

kho

Date posted: 29d

sorry to hear that you had to go through this negative experience!... it's so annoying that people don't understand how many different ways ocd can show up , especially professionals that are supposed to be educated in these things!! this is why I haven't went for an official diagnosis yet... most of my compulsions are mental, and I'm so scared that I'd be misunderstood/misdiagnosed so I just didn't bother getting diagnosed - one therapist I had in the past was the same way tho, and thought that the things I was describing was anxiety. It's so unfortunate that ocd is so stigmatized/misunderstood!!!

garbitch

Date posted: 29d

@kho I got so lucky that my therapist actually has OCD and specializes in it. She was the one who actually caught onto it as I was explaining what my mental health struggles look like. that’s soooo frustrating, I hope that you find a provider who sees you and validates you in what you’re experiencing!! sending you so so so much love 💕

Love1another<3

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 29d

Ocd is highly misunderstood. Many doctors, psychiatrists & general talk therapists don’t understand OCD because they don’t specialize in it (although they might claim they do- simply because they have a very basic textbook knowledge of OCD). I went to a talk therapist once (for my depression) and she wrote down that she had OCD training. But yet, she didn’t even understand the purpose of ERP 🤦‍♀️ She said exposures sounded like “torture” and was against doing them, even though it’s the gold-standard OCD treatment. I only trust talking to highly trained ERP therapists about my symptoms. Extra points if the therapist has OCD themselves

RachelBet

Date posted: 19w

OCD therapist versus not?

Hello! What a journey this ocd thing is! After 17 years with one therapist, I knew I was no longer making progress, so I changed to a new therapist. After just 6 months with her, she suggested I might have ocd and to look into getting diagnosed. She was right and I was diagnosed with ocd last summer. Meds are making a big difference but I still have lots of unlearning and re-learning to do. I’ve been struggling with whether or not to switch to a therapist who specializes in ocd. I have no issues with my current therapist, but she doesn’t specialize in ocd and I sometimes think I need someone who does specialize in it. But of course, I have Pure O, so I can think myself in circles til the cows come home. Can anyone share experience about switching to a therapist who specializes in ocd?

Lizethh

Date posted: 16w

I've been doing better but...

Today I had my follow up appointment with my psychologist, I left feeling worse, I loved the psychologist I spoke to last time he was very informed and understanding, this time I got an appointment with someone who he supervises and I feel like she didn't allow me to speak, she didn't allow me to explain my thoughts or feelings, she told me I have to take my medication or she won't be able to continue helping me, which I understand but im terrified of medication I can't get over it, she said if i start the prozac and it doesn't work then I'll have to get on antipsychotics which seems a bit extreme to me considering i have no psychotic symptoms matter of fact she didn't even allow me to explain my symptoms and i feel like there's so many other antidepressants that could work before getting on antipsychotics🙁 this didn't help me at all considering the episode of ocd i just got through was about me becoming psychotic, I just feel let down and misunderstood, I almost felt as if she was mad at me for the buspar not working she said "you didn't really try it you just took it for a week so if you stopped it it's like you gave up on yourself" but it kept me up 2 nights in a row and i couldnt function from the anxiety 😞

rosecarman

Date posted: 15w

Bad therapy experience

Every therapist I’ve tried for OCD has felt dehumanizing and judgy, as if I’m the threat not my OCD. I’m still looking for a good therapist. Have you ever had a bad therapy experience?

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