Sometimes it's easier...

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Sometimes it's easier to go without therapy and all the BS than it is to go through it.

I stopped seeing Manny Misdiagnosis months ago. I got a letter from this clinic telling me that if I didn't continue that I'd be dropped. There's no where else to go on this insurance so I called and asked if I could switch therapists because you should be able to switch therapists if you're not happy with the one they assigned you. I was transferred to the proper person for that request, who then told me that she wanted to see if we could "resolve" the issues. The phone call, the confrontation, dragging up the problems, all of it was terrifying me and my voice was already shaking which messes me up even more because I hate letting on that I'm bothered. I managed to tell her that this isn't a relationship so instead of trying to resolve it, I'd simply like a different therapist. I shouldn't have to stress what I want after I just explained my reasons to her. It should really be enough that I don't have the trust in him. I'm not a mandatory case. I don't have to go to anyone at all. So, shouldn't they care to provide me with someone I can trust? "Did you discuss your concerns with him?" she asked me. "Yes, and he seemed more confident in his ideas than concerned with my feelings."

It's just easier to do without. I wasn't crying five minutes ago. Now I am. She didn't even switch me yet. She said she was going to confer with Manny and then get back to me. Oh, whatever. It's mattering less and less to me by the moment. F*ck it all.

my sister didn't get along with her therapist either, so she also ended up discontinuing treatment with her. nothing wrong with that, and i think you did a great job standing up to her, even if it was acary and difficult at the time. it sounds like you were firm and assertive, and you accomplished what you needed to get done.

personally, i cry and get upset a lot more when i am going through therapy (even when i get along with my therapist) because i can't suppress my emotions. it brings everything to the surface and i break down more.

why do you want to switch therapists? was it because of a misdiagnosis like you seem to be saying with the name you picked for her? i have gotten several different diagnoses from different therapists, and some of them made me quite irate.

I have an existing diagnosis for AS, Depression and Social Anxiety from my previous psychologist and psychiatrist. I used to go to a clinic that was pretty awesome. I went there just for depression and possibly ADD but they saw the AS and had me tested for that. But I ended up with a difference insurance and cannot continue to go to the previous clinic without paying out-of-pocket for everything. The new GP wanted me to continue treatment (of course) so she eagerly gave me a script for a low dose of Wellbutrin (because she didn't have my records yet and didn't feel good about the higher dose) and a referral for a psychiatrist. It was my experience that if you have AS, they'll see it so it's not a big deal... but I didn't realize that's not really how it works most of the time. At the new place, the only place accepted under this insurance, I was assigned to Manny Misdiagnosis, who thought everything was attributed to PTSD, Depression, and possibly Bipolar Disorder. He was trying to reinvent the wheel and Lord only knows why. It was a very stressful handful of sessions before I called it quits before I ended up having a meltdown... which, in retrospect, maybe a meltdown would've been good for him to see.

The good news is that I have been provided a new therapist and they've gone ahead and scheduled the psych evaluation that was the whole point of going there. So now I have two appointments awaiting me in May that will, hopefully, get me on the right track. And my psyche evaluation is with the psychiatrist who originally diagnosed my son through his school's evaluation process... and, in that interview where we were discussing my son, she looked at me and asked, "Have you ever been tested for Aspergers?" so I know she sees it when it's there. Yeah, there's hope.

i went to a shrink who didn't open my file, and he didn't even look at a 10 page questionnaire i completed. he asked me about my current issues, then asked about any other diagnoses in my family. well, as soon as i started talking about other family members, he made his decision... in spite of the different opinions of a past professional. but i had only an informal diagnosis of AS, so maybe it wouldn't have been legit in his eyes anyways.

but his (mis)diagnosis got me into a good group for therapy, where there were all kinds of people with different issues (AS, BD, major depression, BPD, anxiety, agoraphobia, just name it). i accepted it with some chagrin at the time, and now i am planning to eventually go to a new shrink and get a formal dioagnosis performed.

but it will cost me aout $1000 so my husband is reluctant. he doesn't see the point as long as i am comfortable with the informal diagnosis of AS, but i feel like i need something more solid, especiallly if i need my work to accommodate me in any way.

i'm glad you went ahead with being assertive and pushed for what you really need, because it sounds like you will be getting a referral to a much better professional! it's hard to advocate for yourself.

My formal diagnosis cost me $100 as co-pays for two sessions. I'd already been seeing the psychologist for a number of months. She suspected AS but only told me that she wanted me to take a psychiatric evaluation to see if ADD was really appropriate. The evaluation was the first $50. AS wasn't named until the psychiatrist made the diagnosis. And both of them spent most of the hour on the second session (the next $50) explaining how the dx fit because I argued with them. Being here and reading the trouble people have had and now having had my experience with Manny Misdiagnosis, I really value my old clinic.

She's reassigned my case to a female therapist, which I think will make a big difference. I haven't come into contact with a single male therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist who didn't act shocked that I'm still not "over" the rape that happened 12 years ago and Manny was no exception. I use the word "over" because that's what one psychiatrist actually said. "It was three years ago. Why aren't you over it, yet?"

I don't understand why he wouldn't even look at your file before trying to diagnosis. It's like they're to prove something instead of just doing their jobs. How many general practitioners wouldn't look at an available file or medical history before talking with a patient? It'd be unheard of! I'm glad you got a decent support group from it that has helped you! I do hope that you find a way to receive a cheaper psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis. $1000 is a lot of money, even though the value of what is gained is far greater.

That's really stupid. Best of luck, I'd say either read up and do as much as you can on your own or find a different insurance carrier who won't leave people with the impression that they're all you've got.