Psych Consult - OMG! - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

DenMomLT · 10-15-2009, 08:53 AM

I had my psych consult this week. I wasn't stressing over it too much...most of the posts I had read on the site assured me that it was "just a formality" and that the psychiatrist was mostly looking to make sure that I "knew what I was getting into," that I had a "grasp of reality" and that I "understood the seriousness, severity, ramifications, etc. of this major life changing surgery."

Well...I was not at all prepared for what happened when I got to the office. She spent TWO HOURS with me, and the vast majority of the visit was spent telling me that my husband is non-supportive, non-cooperative, and basically an @#$ %#$!!. She also told me that I have done some horrible, terrible things in my life and that I wasn't properly medicated.

What?! She raised some very good questions re: the surgery, motivation, etc...but I left there feeling unworthy, defeated and like a huge disappointment.

Ironically, the psychiatrist was significantly overweight, so I think some of her own personal "issues" were revealed. This went way beyond a "non-biased, clinical consultation" and got real personal for her.

Hopefully, in her report she'll stick to the facts, but I fear I may need to go do another psych consult with another doctor. Ugh!!!

poet_kelly · 10-15-2009, 09:01 AM

Oh, wow! I am so sorry you experienced that. Unfortunately, there are psychologist that are unprofessional and say inappropriate things, just like there are people in any field that are jerks. Even if a patient's husband is an unsupportive @ss, a professional shouldn't actually say that! The professional should instead ask the patient questions to help the patient realize that their husband isn't very supportive and that they need to find other support systems. You know what I mean?

I suggest you get a copy of the report before it goes to either the surgeon or the insurance company, if you are concerned about what she might say. That way you can decide if you need to see someone else for a consult.

Kelly

Kainu1329 · 10-15-2009, 09:10 AM

Hi,

Sorry that you had that sour experience with your psych but I must say that my experience with my evaluator was a revelation. My psych made me realize that I was putting everyone else first and not giving any attention to my health and that I was always blaming myself for everything wrong that happened in life. She told me that I must learn to think in my first and then on the others. She made me cry, but I sure left feeling a heavy weight lifted from my shoulders.

Melissah · 10-15-2009, 09:17 AM

Wow, what different expereinces.

I spent about an hour with mine and we laughed, talked about my decision to do this and why. She went over a lot to make sure I knew what I was getting into and I did the 200 questions in about 15-20 minutes. It was a very positive experience.

I am so sorry yours did this to you. I hope your report goes well. Keep us updated. Good luck.

Axel · 10-15-2009, 10:31 AM

My psych was like that. He was so cold and unresponsive. He told me that I'm just a teenager and I'm exaggerating my illness to get sympathy.

Yeah, I left out of there pretty much the same way you feel. I can tell you though he wrote up a nice report!

One thing I do have to say about the helping profession, is that counselors and social workers deal with the nitty gritty, deal with the people and use less theory. Psychiatrists and psychologist deal mostly with theory, studies and writing reports (such as for insurance approval). You get some good ones and some bad ones in each, but usually that how it works.

jad0327 · 10-15-2009, 11:26 AM

Did your surgeon refer you to this psychologist? If they did make sure you give them some feedback. I didn't go to the doctor my surgeon recommended. He wasn't on my insurance and I was too cheap to go out of plan. I was sorry. She was nice enough be she made me go for 5 sessions before she would write the recommendation! Ended up costing me the same. Live and learn.

Aomiel · 10-15-2009, 06:19 PM

Sorry you had such a bad experience. I spent an hour with my psychiatrist and we just chatted and laughed and had a good time...but I have no doubt she gleaned quite a bit about my state of mind and ability to deal with change from our little chat.

Yours sounds as if she has a few issues of her own to deal with. It is impossible to make such cut and dried decisions in a 2 hour session. I'd definitely get a copy of the report.

.

Laureate · 10-15-2009, 06:23 PM

After a few questions and the lengthy written test I had to have, my psych and I talked extensively about current events. (I'm in the news business.) I pretty much knew then I was good to go.

Sorry yours was such a jerk!

hollycerniglia · 10-15-2009, 06:31 PM

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. My psych eval lasted for 5 1/2 hrs. I had to take all kinds of test.

thesassysally · 10-15-2009, 09:02 PM

DenMom,
Sorry to hear about your experience. I am wondering what mine will be like. I see you are in So Cal. Where are you planning to have your surgery?