Night Shift

@Appleblossom Have you had any more thoughts about what psychiatrist you might see if you decide to go ahead with a referral from your GP?

GP gave me a list of 2 she liked but encouraged me to choose too ...

I have thought of trying to get into a DBT program ...but the local one is run by my son's psychiatrist. He doesnt have the best rep ... I feel a bit eeek about being "under" him as Medical Director of the private clinic. It makes me think that my old GP was referring to him as taking over all the clinics in our area ... a bit like a business man more than a doctor ... and my old GP thought I shouldnt have to go through that.

I also thought I might be wasting my time doing a whole DBT course ... it is not as if I am new to all this ... and maybe should concentrate on writing and music and just need a good psychologist and psychiatrist to make the diagnoses ... there probably will be more than one ... and be part of my support network

will see new GP next week

@Appleblossom If you like the GP it could be worth exploring one of her recommendations unless you have another idea for one you might like better. I found my psychiatrist by ringing local mental health services for any psychiatrists they could recommend, googling local practitioners and ringing around. Then I asked my GP to refer me specifically to the one I chose. I have taken GP's recommendations in the past though and have been helped in some way by most people I've ever seen.

@Appleblossom seeing both worked well for me. But you can start with a psychologist for no fee with the Mental Health Care Plan referral (10 sessions) and then they may recommend an appropriate psychiatrist for you. I would be reluctant to see the same one my child sees just to avoid any potential confidentiality issues, but that's because of an experience I had in my late teens seeing the same therapist as my mother. Probably less likely these days as the confidentiality laws are a lot stronger.

Most of the psychiatrists I've seen have bulk billed. Mainly just needs a bit of research to find the ones who do that. With psychologists, I have an idea you might need a clinical psychologist to give a clinical diagnosis.

I wont go to the same one as son ... its just that he in charge of one that the GP suggested.

I know about the Mental Health Plan and have used it in the past... the emphasis then was on my socialisation and friendships with women ... I went to her for 3 years and realised that my social skills and friendships with women were proabbly ib better shape than the lady paid to assist ...

Anyway I have a social life with choirs etc ... and dont need to discuss that really ... but the idea of pressiing for a diagnosis is wise .. as well as extended psychotherapy ...

I am going to a local Carers Vic psychologist and just need the psychiatrist.

Yes ...specialisations are important ... and trauma informed care ... lately I am thinking I could take the train into city and that way I could open up a whole lot of more progressive doctors than the ones necessarily in my local area ..we really tend to get the worst services.

The most significant part of my diagnosis came from a psychiatric team at the hospital and a privately practising one since (mostly just med managment) but the self managment and monitoring skills I've learned since have come mostly through psychology. And the WRAP resources available online.

@eth Do you have a link to where the WRAP resources are available for free?

I am looking up WRAP ..

Thanks all for chatting about it ... it is nice to be able to work through it with others

When my old GP became sick and stopped working a few months ago I felt very overwhelmed ...