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Finding a psychiatrist in Sydney that isn't $800

OkthenCasual Contributor08 Aug 2023, 4:14 pm AEST

Finding a psychiatrist in Sydney that isn't $800

Finding a psychiatrist in Sydney that doesn't cost $800

Im really struggling today
I've been on anti psychotic medication for around 8 years and it has worked to balance my mood but it makes me so tired and other side effects are impacting my quality of life(weight gain in particular). I want to have my medication reviewed by a psychiatrist.

I used to have a community health team, caseworker, psychologist and psychiatrist but over time I was only really needing my psychologist so when I moved house, they told me I was no longer considered severe enough to qualify for that kind of care so I was just sort of on my own.

This is half venting about the messed up system and also asking for help on where to find somewhere that either bulk bills or provides more affordable access to a psychiatrist if anyone can suggest somewhere?

My doctor referred me to Dokotela but their next appointment is for January and I can't imagine waiting that long.

If anyone has had better luck with somewhere that doesn't have insane waiting times, that would be so helpful.

Im looking for either Sydney based or telehealth

Thank you 😁

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In response to: Finding a psychiatrist in Sydney that isn't $800

tymeModerator09 Aug 2023, 6:01 pm AEST

Re: Finding a psychiatrist in Sydney that isn't $800

Hi @Okthen ,

It sounds like you are not alone here.

I've also had a Area Mental Health treating team.

When I was discharged, they sent all my paper work to a GP who specialises in mental health so that they could follow up with the meds. Do you think you could do something similar?

In response to: Finding a psychiatrist in Sydney that isn't $800

OkthenCasual Contributor09 Aug 2023, 8:33 pm AEST

Re: Finding a psychiatrist in Sydney that isn't $800

Thank you

Yes I was meant to be going for weightless medication with my gp at tye recommendation of my neurologist but we decided to see what the psychiatrist thought first so I wasn't making too many changes at once.

Now that it looks like I'll be waiting, I think I'll discuss my option with my gp.

I did have a few other concerns with lithium too but weight gain is the main one

Thanks for your suggestion 😁

In response to: Re: Finding a psychiatrist in Sydney that isn't $800

OkthenCasual Contributor09 Aug 2023, 8:37 pm AEST

Re: Finding a psychiatrist in Sydney that isn't $800

@tyme thank you

I am now booked in for November at a different Dokotela practice so just going to go with that for now

It's been a couple of years since I left my old one so I'm not sure how helpful they'd be for a non-emergency but I might reach out if I feel I need help sooner

Thank you 😁

In response to: Re: Finding a psychiatrist in Sydney that isn't $800

tymeModerator09 Aug 2023, 8:44 pm AEST

Re: Finding a psychiatrist in Sydney that isn't $800

Ah, fair enough. It's been a number of years.

All the best @Okthen .

Hope it goes well for you.

In the meantime, please feel free to connect with others here on the forums. It can help you feel less alone in all this.

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