How do I go about finding a (good, compatible) psychiatrist?

Post Reply New Topic

I've been needing to see someone for quite some time now- in addition to AS, I struggle with anxiety, both generalized and situational as resultant of physiological health concerns, "food issues" (best-described as restrictive, as my weight prevents me from being classified as properly-Anorexic), intimacy issues (I consider myself asexual, but I've developed [Sexual] Aversion Disorder over the years as well), Attachment Disorder, etc. (Yes, I realize all my neuroses start with "A".)

I'm a frequent visitor to Psychology Today's website, which allows you to search for a psychiatrist, but there is only one listed there as anywhere near where I live, and he isn't accepting new patients. I also went through a referral service at one of the hospitals in my city, and very few answer the phone/have a working phone number, and even fewer are accepting new patients. What I like about PT is that you can see doctors' specialties, as well as their clinical approaches- I'm seeking a Humanistic mindset, ideally, but at this point I'd be thrilled to just find someone who will just answer the phone and let me make an appointment.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I just got an appointment for the 19th (a week from today) with someone who specializes in combining traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy with hypnotherapy. Does anyone have experience with hypnotherapy as to what I might expect?

I find that looking at a doctor's specialties is helpful in narrowing down whether they would be suitable for me, although ultimately whether or not you and they will click depends on the actual meeting. My first psychiatrist is a bit of a big-wig in the mental health sector in my area, but I found him to be a bit of a douchebag Whereas my current psychiatrist is probably less well-known but him and I get along much better.

I've not had any personal experience with hypnotherapy, but you should understand that with hypnosis, you a) are aware of what is happening at all times and b) it requires your complete agreement for it to be successful. The intention is to put you into a very relaxed state so you lose some of your inhibitions, but you don't lose control and you're not a puppet in the hands of the clinician.

I have a book about Psycho-Cybernetics. It is basically self-image psychology which combines cognitive behaviour techniques pertaining to the self-image with cybernetics. Gritting your teeth isn't enough as you won't be able to do it if it isn't consistent with your self-image. The book has an example where a hypnotist tells a football player that his hand is stuck to a table and he can't lift it. He strains his muscles as hard as he can but he can't lift it. This is because since the hypnotist has suggested that he can't do it, the football player's contrary muscles subconsciously contract against the muscles that he would use to lift it. We are all hypnotized to some extent by our concept of ourselves. Emotional dead weight literally acts as a force that works against you.

It really made a lot of sense when it came to my social anxiety. I've tried pretty much everything (I'm not kidding I have a stockpile of self-help crap in my head) and nothing worked until my self-image gradually improved through how I interpreted my experiences. No matter how hard I tried I just couldn't get myself to hold a conversation because it just wasn't me. I always visualized that I would have to be super charismatic to even hold a conversation. But after I convinced myself that I didn't have to be super-charismatic but merely more active when it comes to interacting with other people this is when I started feeling more comfortable in my own skin. It's still an uphill battle and I still haven't gotten over it yet, but it has helped me substantially.

You should definitely give it a go. Hypnotherapy combined with CBT sounds excellent, as CBT is one of the most effective forms of therapy out there and hypnosis pertains to the self-image.

That's good that you found someone willing to aid you in repairing your psyche that isn't all about shoving pills down your throat. Too many psychiatrists these days are quick to prescribe the meds, but slower to suggest other forms of therapy. I've gone through a handful of psychiatrists and dozens of different diagnoses and the accompanying medications, it's exhausting.