Overmedicated and Underheard: My Frustration with Mental Health Treatment

What kind of doctor were you seeing? If it was a general practitioner or a non-mental health specialist that’s often all that is in their scope of practice. My PCP can screen for generalized depression and anxiety and prescribe antidepressants and anti anxiety medications. Anything beyond that she’s gonna refer me to a therapist/ psychologist because it’s out of her scope of practice. Same thing with my other specialists- my endocrinologist changed my antidepressants because he felt a different kind would work better with my thyroid medications. However, it’s out of his scope of practice to prescribe additional mental health medications or make any mental health diagnosis. If I’m being totally honest, I think most people would benefit from therapy. However, therapy won’t be helpful if you aren’t ready for it- you get what you put in. Were you looking for mental health support or chronic pain support? If it’s chronic pain you may benefit from seeking out a specialist (I see a rheumatologist) or even a holistic pain management clinic (if that’s your vibe). They should be able to address the pain without immediately jumping to mental health medications- that’s hella frustrating when you’re talking about pain!

😥 them Drs always seem to think that we need therapy cause in pain or going through something they don't understand 😂

Was it a general practitioner? I had a similar issue with my GP and speaking with a therapist/psychologist was much more effective