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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Joslynn on October 21, 2004, at 13:32:32
Has anyone had a pdoc who did therapy with them too, and then you decided to go down from that to just med checks? I have decided not to continue the therapy component with pdoc anymore, it was actually hurting me more than helping towards the end. However, I would like to still see him just for med checks. He said ok and our next appointment is just going to be a straight med check. (I will continue therapy with my therapist.)
Has anyone else made this type of "downgrade"? I am wondering, is it easier said than done or did it work smoothly? What is a good way to make sure the transition sticks and not slip into the old role/set-up?
Once there is a therapeutic relationship, can the therapy part be taken out of the equation, leaving the doctor part? I hope so, but I am wondering if anyone else has done this too. thanks.
Posted by mair on October 21, 2004, at 16:10:46
In reply to taking out the therapy component, posted by Joslynn on October 21, 2004, at 13:32:32
I did this, but not quite in the same way.
I saw my ex pdoc for regular therapy for about 2 years, then for less regular therapy for maybe another 2 years. At some point I decided that I needed to go back to weekly therapy sessions but I didn't want to do it with him. I asked him for a referral to a therapist who did short term CBT. I couched things in this way solely because I didn't really want to hurt his feelings. (he could be touchy). I knew he didn't do that kind of therapy so I figured he wouldn't be as offended if I left him to switch to another kind of therapy. He gave me the name of my current T and until he retired a couple of years ago, I continued with him for periodic meds checks.
To be honest, things were a little awkward, maybe particularly after it became clear to him that I had settled into long term therapy with my new T. I didn't see him all that often because I wasn't making many meds changes, and had been on the meds I was taking for a pretty long time. Usually my T would insist that I coordinate my pdoc appointments to coincide with times when she was going to be away, but I did feel defensive whenever we got off the issue of meds. After I had been seeing the new T maybe about 1 1/2 years, my pdoc announced that he was going to retire. It was around this time that it became abundantly evident that I really did need to make a meds change. I held off longer than I should have so I could start new meds with a new pdoc.
I honestly think he lost some interest in me after we stopped therapy and I certainly lost some interest in him. I think this hindered me some working with him on meds.
Some of the defensiveness may also just be me. I like the pdoc I have now, but I don't really like it when she asks me therapy-type questions. I tend to stiffen up when she gets too personal.
Hope this helps.
Mair
Posted by Joslynn on October 21, 2004, at 16:27:50
In reply to Re: taking out the therapy component » Joslynn, posted by mair on October 21, 2004, at 16:10:46
Thanks for sharing your story. That gives me some things to think about. I will see how it goes.
I just have to pull away from the therapy part for emotional reasons and I think that he was accidentally contributing to some confusion. However, I think he is a great pdoc and he knows my whole history. Plus he works well with my insurance.
I'll watch out for the things you mentioned in him and in myself. Thank you.
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