Good Help is Hard to Find

Below is a list of medication I’ve ingested over the years for depression/PTSD, to no avail. (There are more sundry medications that I have forgotten about over the last 16 years of treatment that are not listed, please forgive). Psychotherapy performed by some questionable therapists and my own brand of self-help round out my treatment regimen.

The Scarp’s Pharmacological Dance

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Zoloft

Celexa

Paxil

Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Cymbalta

Effexor

Serotonin modulators and stimulators (SMS)

Viibryd

Norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)

Wellbutrin

Atypical antipsychotics

Latuda

Seroquel

Buspar

Ability

Because of the ineffectiveness of the medication and the whack-ass therapy I received, I felt compelled to investigate alternative treatments like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Repetitive Transracial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), and Ketamine Therapy. But before enduring any of those, Dr. Crosby and I were introduced (hat tip to God) and life got markedly better. His genetic testing, vitamins, and educational therapy gave me the much sought after relief that I had been searching for. This is going somewhere I promise.

I wish someone would have done this for me long ago, I’m going to share wisdom, or maybe common sense, that I myself did not possess. Below are tips for finding a good Doctor/Therapist. This will work for any type of healthcare professional be it a psychologist, psychiatrist, cardiologist, neurologist etc. The Tips:

1. Word of Mouth

This is how I found the best neurologist in the region. Please don’t just stop with asking friends. Talk with nurses, business professionals, x-ray techs and other Doctors/Therapist. The best one will become obvious.

2. Check Credentials

Has the therapist completed a Thesis for a Master’s Degree or a Dissertation for a Ph.D? I mean no offense to those therapists at the master’s degree level; there are plenty of good ones. I just have yet to find one.  Are they certified for PTSD, Bipolar, anorexia, colonoscopies, brain surgery etc.? Did they attend medical school in a fictitious country?  You get the gist. Credentials can be found online or place a call to their office or hospital.

3. Communication

Certain Doctors/Therapists have a difficult time listening, and sometimes will assume that you know nothing. Others push you to open up about everything before trying to establish trust. If you find yourself being ignored, not listened to, or spoken to in a condescending manner, move on. Do not be intimidated.

4. Compatibility

Though incompatibility may be a rare occurrence, it’s nevertheless very important. I mentioned in an earlier post about a therapist that wanted to fire me from being her patient, true story. She said, and I quote, “I do not want your death on my conscience”.

“Well, thank you for your empathy, understanding, and unwavering support”, I thought out loud, throwing more fuel on fire (not good). This drama is associated with the “Bad to Good” post. In the first photo I was modeling the unconscious look by Ambien and alcohol. (Do Not Try This). I had told her I was not mixing the two. She found out to the contrary and was way north of unhappy, hence the Shit Storm.

The therapist had a point. I was an idiot (may still be). The upshot was that she kept seeing me until I could find someone else.

The takeaway: First, be honest in therapy (not many of us are and you only hurt yourself). That is why it is important to find a good one that you are compatible with and whom you can trust.  The quality healthcare professionals are worth vetting out even if they are out of your insurance network (I’m paying extra because of it). If you can’t afford it, or don’t have insurance, find a way. I did, and it is totally worth it. If you need suggestions on how to find a way, Please let me know. I have lived hand to mouth for several years and have been without insurance as well. Email: scarpoe@yahoo.com or catch me on twitter.