Doctor not listening to me.

[Corkyxox]

I went to the Doctors today to get some help for my Anxiety, it has been awful the past few months I even went to the hospital because of panic attacks and chest pain. When I saw a Dr today I was happy that I'd finally got an appointment as it took 3 days for them to get back to me. When I was telling this new Dr about how paranoid I am and how I still have chest pains and how I've got like a permanent nagging headache and I see hallucinations such as bugs on the walls and people and even a monster/creature thing, he asked me if I take drugs which I said no, because I dont and then didn't say anything else. I asked him if I could try some Anxiety medication as my last medication made me quite numb and he says 'well all medication does that' and also said do I really want to through the cycle of trying medications and for how long. He felt really condescending. I agreed to try my current medication again at a higher dose and instead he puts it down the beginner dose when i started at triple that in the first place. I have not stopped crying since returning home as I really wanted to get some help to feel better and I just feel so much worse now.

[¯|_(ツ)_|¯]

I’m so sorry to hear that you went through this! Some doctors really don’t have a good bedside manner.

I want to start out by saying that not all medications just numb you out. The goal of medication is to take the edge off things like the anxiety so you can experience positive emotions.

Are you able to get a second opinion from another doctor or psychiatrist? I know it’s not always possible with insurance and money but it may help to find a new doctor if you can. A doctor or psychiatrist who specializes in mental health may be the best if possible because primary care providers don’t always have all the knowledge necessary. If you do get a second opinion, I’d make a list of your wants and needs before the appointment. For example, lay out what your symptoms are and what medications and therapies you’ve tried in the past. What are some things you’d need from a good provider? What questions do you have for a new provider? Write those down.

Do you have a follow up appointment with your current doctor? If you can’t get a second opinion, I’d talk to this doctor and have a serious conversation about your expectations going forward. I’d again outline what you want to say before you go in so you don’t forget anything. You can start out by saying that you feel like you weren’t listened to at your last appointment because you didn’t get many new suggestions and felt as if he wasn’t willing to try to do more for you. Explain what you’re looking for in medication or other treatments, and ask what his plan of action is if your current medication doesn’t work for you. If you’re willing to go through the trial and error say that. He’s right that sometimes it takes a few tries to get the right combination of meds but it can be worth it.

While you’re on your current medication keep a log of your symptoms, shifts in moods, side effects, and any other events that happen. If you can identify a triggering event write that down too. That way when you go to a doctor, either your current one or a second opinion, you have an ongoing log of what’s going on so you can shift medications as needed.

I hope you are able to get more answers soon.

[Arabesque- golfing girl.]

Hello and welcome to Teenhelp, we are so happy that you have joined us.

I am so sorry that you are having a hard time with this and I hope that you will be okay soon. Whenever you or someone you know has to go to the doctor for help with anything, you always want to feel comfortable when you are talking to them because you have to trust them enough to ask for help and sometimes it can be hard to ask for help. If you do not like what they are saying to you and how they are acting to you, it is always okay to go for a second opinion on anything. Would you be able to try doing this? You can Google another place and try talking with someone on the phone and see if you like how they are to you and see about setting up a time. If you have to call a few different places, try not to get upset. Also if you can, try asking someone in your family or a friend who they are going to see and ask how they are with them and maybe try going to them for help. I hope that you will be okay soon and you will be able to find someone who will be able to help you out with this.

[Rika]

Hello there! Welcome to TH! I'm super sorry to hear you are going through this. I always expect my doctor will listen to me when I go. If they did not listen to me, I'd consider changing to a different doctor of this kind or a new PCP. Ask family and/or friends who they see, and then maybe see about going there instead. I too hope you will be okay soon and wish you nothing but the best of luck.