Frustrated with my Psychiatrist

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Just went to go see my psychiatrist to talk about a possible aspergers diagnosis, and she said that she didn't see aspergers in me and that I probably just have social anxiety disorder. Well, I'm an adult woman and I'm a great actress, so am I surprised? Not really. Am I hurt that she doesn't believe me? Extremely. I mean, why do I have to cater to her ego in order to receive an accurate diagnosis? I feel like she has insulted my intelligence and also my sanity.

I'm still on schedule to see my specialist next week. We'll see what happens there.

Ugh.

Sorry...I just wanted to b***h and commiserate. Anyone else have experiences like this? Especially women?

pyschiatrists suck,they only do quick assessments and arent often interested if it isnt solveable without medication,try and see a pyschologist who has got experience in working with women on the spectrum.
its widely known that females often [but not always] experience autism spectrum disorders differently to males,many of us go against the stereotypes;although am on a different part of the spectrum am female and ridiculously caring to the point of putting others before self! there isnt enough research done on the presentation differences between genders , especialy in the high functioning category its why so many medical people screw it up.

Exactly. Psychiatrists are licensed to use a prescription pad and anyone who thinks Big Pharma doesn't offer incentives and kickbacks to get their product sold, is not paying attention. Check your Psychiatrist's backyard for that 'Lunesta Butterfly'-shaped pool.

Psychologists OTOH, can't prescribe meds, so may be more likely to take your personal suspicions seriously.

I mean, geez, who knows better what's going on inside your own head, than the person living in it?

i have to agree, psychiatrists HATE the autism diagnoses: nothing specific to prescribe to fix it! i was actually told by a psychiatrist once that she couldn't help because she couldn't prescribe anything. its a known fact by other doctors too.

I was diagnosed with ASD by a psychiatrist.
The only psychologist I saw tried to cure it using the power of positive thinking.

I agree, depends on the person, not the profession.

Unless the psychiatrist specializes in autism, you saw the wrong person. The generalists are not dependable.

Every profession has quacks, hacks, and downright frauds. And ASD is often part of a mixed diagnosis, and psychotropic meds can help with many mood disorders, and especially with psychotic disorders. I have a nephew who would probably be institutionalized if not for anti-psychotic meds.

I went to see my usual psychiatrist... the one I see for my GAD, ADHD, and Social Anxiety. She is very well accredited and teaches at UCLA, but the fact that she doesn't specialize makes me upset at her attempt to diagnose me. The problem was that I came in with the diagnosis and proof thereof at the ready. I think she was hesitant to suggest that I have an ASD because she can't "see" my symptoms (because I'm good at self-care, I've learned how to socialize, and I can look people in the eye), and probably because she thinks I'm neurotic, not ASD.



As far as psychiatrists are concerned, she's decent, but she's just a general psychiatrist. I feel sort of arrogant thinking I know more than she does when it comes to my diagnoses, but like you said, Willard, she can't see inside my head.

My psychologist put how I feel into words perfectly: "It's like when you walk into AA for the first time and realize "Holy S**t. How do these people know me? Who got inside my head and pulled out all of this information without my knowledge?" " That's how I feel. I feel like I just found a group of people who know exactly how I feel and my psychiatrist is telling me I don't know what I'm talking about. Frustrating, to say the least.

Thanks, everyone for posting about this. I really needed the support with such a disappointing day. Really felt down about this for a long time afterward. Helps to have you guys!

I told my therapist I was worried that the coping skills I've developed might mask the autism we believe I have.

The reply was "A properly qualified person who's in the field will be able to see thru that."

Are there any hospitals/facilities in your area that specialize in autism??

Yes, there are specialists where I am. I am going to go see one in 6 days. Problem I'm having is both mental health professionals I meet with don't know much about ASDs. I told my therapist, and he was hesitant to diagnose me with anything because he doesn't want me to limit my progress (his opinion is that diagnoses tend to pigeon-hole a person and make them think they can't/won't get better). But the following week, we met and he was on board. He read up on it and was surprised at how many of the characteristics I posses. Psychiatrist, not so much. I only had a 30 minute meeting with her, so I don't know what her thought process was with all of that. It was just overwhelming.

I mean, who knows... maybe I am delusional and I don't have an ASD...

The only redeeming part of the day was when I texted my boyfriend after I got out of the psychiatrist's office. I told him she didn't believe me. He told me he did. He's always skeptical. He said "Well, I live with you so... I think I'm more qualified." Lol

My therapist says that when a patient belives they fit into a certain catagory, it often turns out the patient was right.

Wish I had your therapist...

Guess I'm in the market for a new psychiatrist too... lol.

Thanks for your input.

I'm sorry you had to go through this. I know from experience it can be extremely frustrated to be treated this way.

When I told my therapist that I thought I had AS she said "Asperger's, Smaspers, it's just another level on the spectrum. You need to get a job." I went numb and just stared at her. I was shocked and extremely hurt to that I was spoken to like that and my feelings were just dismissed.

The next time I saw her, I told her about the book I read about Asperger's, told her I needed to be tested and I wanted to get Cognitive Behavorial Therapy and occupational therapy and any other kind of therapy that would help me.

The last time I had a long time, full time job I ended up in a psychiatric ward because of a whopper of a meltdown and major depression.

I told her that without special help I was going to end up back on that ward. I also told her that this type of therapy wasn't helping me. I was in the same exact place I was two years ago. (Boy, did she get all butt hurt over that.) I told her I wanted to go to another place where they offered the type of therapy I need.

She said she doesn't know anything about Asperger's and she wasn't willing to learn. Why would you tell someone something like that? I didn't want to continue working with her anyway. She kept asking me if I really wanted to go somewhere else. I kept saying yes. Finally she made the arrangements for me to go to another center for therapy after I told her that I always have to be the one to figure out what's wrong with me, find our all I can about it and find the help that I need because the therapists and doctors I talk to are always clueless. I've had so many bad experiences.

She said she was sorry she couldn't help me all sarcastic. I probably didn't handle the situation well but I was so disgusted with her at that point.

I have an appointment next month with a neuropsychiatrist. His receptionist sounded surprised that I was an adult who wanted to be tested for AS. She kept asking me if I wanted to make an appointment for my child.

dc2610, is she part of a professional association? or is there a governing body for her profession? If so, put in a complaint about her. That behaviour is unacceptable and she needs to be reprimanded.

Also, don't expect the receptionist to be fully knowledgeable about AS - ignore her misconceptions.

I will definitely look into this. Thanks.



I will. Thanks again.