Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
Should I be seeing a psychiatrist?
I got prescribed anti-depressants (Pristiq) over a year ago by a doctor. They suggested a referral to a psychologist who did basic CBT. She clarified a few issues for me but everything she suggested (deep breathing, positive thinking, exercise etc) I had already figured out and started doing by myself so I stopped going to the appointments. On the rare occasion that I go back to the doctor, usually to get another prescription printed out, they'll ask me “So how are these drugs helping you?” And I say “yeah, generally good” and they say ok and print it out.
I've never seen a psychiatrist and my doctor doesn't seem interested in trying to manage my medication or illness. Not to be racist or prejudice or anything, but I don't think they understand English particularly well.
What should I do? See a different doctor? Go see a psychiatrist and pay for it myself? I'm living off my parents with no government benefits and trying to get a job but I really have no money to pay for it myself.
