Searching for a new Psychiatrist

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My previous psychiatrist who had been treating me for 10 years, decided he no longer wanted to play nice with ALL insurance companies (including state/government funded health care programs) and is now too expensive for me to see. I need to get my medication from a doctor every single month since it's a controlled substance (adderol).

I have benefits from work that are decent but how in the hell am I supposed to find a new doctor that I like? I've been using my insurance providers web site to find a doctor, but it's basically like looking up and calling random people in the phone book. My regular doctor doesn't know any good psychiatrists (but he'll help me with my prescription in the meantime, so that's cool) so that's no help. And my previous pshychiatrist won't recommend anyone to me unless I go in for a too-expensive appointment. And these doctors are for people with mental problems! You'd think they'd make it a little easier.

Just had to vent. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know.

-Ann-

WOW!! Sounds like your shrink was all "lovey dovey" untill the money ran out, what a chode!! Since you're getting Adderol, is there a big rush to find a new shrink?? If you have some pressing problems that need attention, is it worth taking a chance on someone new? That's a hard situation.

Can´t you just stick with your regular doc? I don´t know much about psychiatrists, but aren´t their expertise in finding the right medication and adjusting it? If you are, and have been on a stable dose for some time, can´t you just get refills from your regular doc?

As for your shrink, I second the comment made above. Unfortunately health care is a for-profit system, not a for-patient system, although you would think that docs would care about patients they have been seeing for 10 years!! ! What an ass....

I am thinking of going back to see a therapist (which ususally leads to a psychiatrist) and there really seems to be little more than seeing who accepts your insurance and picking a name. I really wanted to see if there was someone who specialized or had experience with OCD because I've seen someone before who really didn't know much about it and they were no help but to insist on meds. So, I don't have any real suggestions for you, but you aren't the only one. I would see if it is possible though for your regular doctor to take over prescribing the Adderall. Since you have been seeing this guy for so long can he help refer you to someone who would take your insurance, or at least keep seeing you at a reduced rate until you find a new doctor.

My other shrink probably lost a few good patients. But I think my luck with him has already run out a while ago. During the infamous "2002 Summer of Unemployment" I had no health insurance. He continued to write me the scripts and DID NOT CHARGE ME (but he did once I had insurance). But since I am employed and do have insurance, I don't think he'll do that again. My regular doctor will write me the scripts, but he has to pay for the special form that's used. He also doesn't want to be responsible for my mental health since he wasn't the one who originally started me on the meds and psychiatry is not his specialty. If I keep getting the script from him longer than a few months (I think it's 6 months...5 more to go), the state starts asking questions. I'm going to ride it out until he cuts me off. This is starting to make me think of doctors as state-certified dealers.

I'm also worried that if I go to a new shrink, he'll want to screw with my medication. So I'd like to keep my GP as a contingency plan up until then. I'm thinking about maintaining the ADD diagnosis so no one will screw with what's working. My biggest fear is that if I do get a shrink who wants to diagnose me with Aspergers, he'll only do it for the money and will try to push whatever the latest and greatest anti-anxiety/depression medications that the drug companies are paying him to push. But I have to keep in mind that I do have health care and I am paying for it so I can try out as many shrinks as my insurance will let me. Just what a pain in the ass!