So sticky topic…where is the best care? Well I guess
that all depends on your psychiatrist, and whether you’re considered a person,
or a number. Good answer right? I’ve seen every side of the coin. My care while
under the military was the worst, hands down. State run facilities can be scary
to say the least, but once again depending on your psychiatrist could be a diamond
in the rough. Private Doctors are great for…well in my case it has yet to be
seen what they are good for! Unfortunately there is rarely a choice for many
mentally ill people. If you’re not suicidal, or homicide you’re going to fall
wayside, therefore just getting medication management can be frustrating.
I was
living in Germany over a decade ago when my Bipolar I with Mixed Episodes
started showing. With my then husband away at war, and a two year old to take
care of I desperately needed to be sane! I was never able to get a proper
diagnosis from the military side. Instead my PCM flung me on, and off
antidepressants that fueled my undiagnosed Bipolar. I must have tried twelve
antidepressants, before he was ready to commit me to the Psych Ward in Germany.
I clearly recall the phone call in which my then husband sent me packing, “Go
home April.” Word was getting around I was falling apart. He was angry and
embarrassed. Who wants a crazy wife anyway? So, off my daughter and I flew to a
private doctor in the States. I remember going back to Germany, I had been
diagnosed, and was on medications to help keep the bipolar in control. I
remember calling my PCM, they were use to me calling for him at the clinic I
was assigned to. He was blown away to say the least, after months of being in
his care I FINALLY was referred to psychiatry in Germany. I drove an hour and
half to see a matter of fact psychiatrist with the Army. He immediately wanted
to change up my medicine. Something none of us want! I refused, wanted to stay
on my regiment. Shortly thereafter I returned to the states, back to private
doctors.
My
opinion on Private Psychiatrists are one: they can be extremely expensive if
you have no insurance, and are paying cash. Two: They tend to be booked up for
30-45 days at a time. If you need an appointment for just an adjustment, you
could be waiting for a cancellation. Now with all of that being said I have
seen one, only once, for my diagnosis that I really liked. Now I’ve seen a
handful of private psychiatrists (probably 7) since I was originally diagnosed
with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. I can’t say I’ve cared for them all. They
do allot a good hour for your visit, best believe you’ll be billed for it too.
I’m defiantly not saying all of them are bad, depends on the clinic, doctors,
and staff. If you find the right doctor, private or not, stick with them!
Now
let’s look at the state-run facilities, I mentioned they can be scary. Let’s
add to that busy, dreary, long waits, oh and did I mention you’ll most likely
be a number at this point. I’ve been in two states for care, both times I was a
patient of State run facilities. A number, yes most defiantly, great medication
management, no way. Seems like a great place to go when your “showing your
crazy”, and you have no insurance, and generally no money. Co-pays are small to
non-existent, but the paperwork is never ending. Get ready to be evaluated
every time you have a visit, by at least three people asking you the same
questions over and over. I’ve had horrible experiences as a patient at one
state run program in Texas, I believe they were trying to completely zombify
me, I ended up in a State run Mental Hospital (yes, the Psych ward) due to over
medicating. My crazy was showing, locked away in a mental ward was the scariest
thing that has ever happened to me. They tried to add more medicine to my
“cocktail”, but I refused. I waited out my 72 hour suicide hold, and I was out!
California
was worse, I couldn’t wait for my appointment at the State facility there. My
previous clinic gave me the standard 3 month supply of my medications. I still
was on the wait list three months later, waiting to be in processed! Not even to
see a psychiatrist. I remember looking for parking at the mental health facility
in downtown Los Angeles. I couldn’t believe I had run out of medication….so
here I was among all types of people. I waited the entire day, not moving for
fear of losing my number in line. At the end of the day I was able to see a psychiatrist
who was completely skeptical, especially because I had no medical records. I
explained “my cocktail” and my “labels”. I was granted all my medications,
except one. The one that controls my hallucinations, paranoia, and
anger….great. I was told it was a popular “street drug” so he wasn’t going to
provide that one. I was livid to say the least. All I needed was medication
management and here is a Doctor I had never, and would never see again takes me
off a major psych medicine cold turkey! Ha!
Back
to Texas I went. The care I received in California was less than par…never did
see another doctor. Time to find someone dependable that could management
mental health. It was a success! I’ve been with the same psychiatrist for the
last nine years. I’m leveled out. Still ride the waves of my disorders, but I
maintain, and lead a productive life! I encourage you to find your own psychiatrist,
however you afford it, I have insurance but still see a psychiatrist at a small
State funded Clinic. Best care I’ve ever received! Goes to show you never know
where you’re going to find a psychiatrist that meets your needs! ~Mental Mari
