Anyone familiar with mental health law? And an update on me...

[SomedayMommy]

My psychiatrist dropped me!!! After I saw him for years, I took a break from medication to do IVF and have the baby and nurse and all that. So here I am 5 1/2 months postpartum, and I decide that I need help. I need help, and that's all there is to it.

Without telling my life story, I was diagnosed several years ago for Bipolar II disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and issues with rage. The psych wanted me to keep taking dangerous, class D drugs through treatment and pregnancy, and I refused. Well, now you can chalk up PPD to the mix too. Although, I can't tell if it's PPD or just down cycles of the Bipolar. Could be either. Cause I definitely have euphoria at times as well.

So I called to make an appointment, and he will not see me! Saying that I haven't been there in over a year, therefore, he considers me a new patient, and he is not taking new patients at this time. This AFTER I said I was experiencing desperation (a bit of an exageration, but I wanted a reaction!). When asking for a referral to someone else in the practice, I was told to expect to hear back fromt hem. I never did. I had to call them. Only to find out none of those doctors are taking new patients either.

I was a good patient. Always did what I was told. Always showed up for appointments. I don't get it. I demanded an explanation. Again, I get, "They are not taking new patients." I got nothing better, and nothing personal from the Dr., either. He always had his staff give me the messages...

SOOOOO, here's my question. Anyone know mental health law? Can he simply "DROP ME"? Is that considered ethical mental health responsbility? When I ask to be treated, is he in no way or form responsible for my mental health considering I'm his patient? I STILL consider myself his patient...

Alright, that is all. I'd kill for a zoloft and a klonopin right now. Just SOME kind of relief. I'm driving my poor DH crazy. He doesn't know what to expect from moment to moment.

[LandJ]

Barging here from another board. First, sorry all this is happening to you. This is the LAST think you need with all the other going on.

When I ask to be treated, is he in no way or form responsible for my mental health considering I'm his patient?

That's just it...you're NOT his patient. I don't know any law per say, but there may be some. I'm not up on any laws and I've been out of the psych field for sometime. However, I do know that what his staff said about you not being there for a year and now not his patient is pretty standard stuff across the board, no matter what type of doctor. Now...if you go into an ER and state you are suicidal or in some way prove yourself a danger to self or other, they are obligated to treat you.

Again, I'm sorry. Legally, I don't think the physician is doing anything wrong. But ethically.....he stinks! I hope you get the help you so desire!

[SomedayMommy]

Leigh, thanks for this! This is what I was afraid of. But, I'm glad you gave it to me straight.

Another thing that I thought of - if it got out that I was dragging this guy's name through the mud, then perhaps NO psych in the area would want to treat me. I guess I just need to pick someone else and move on.....

Thanks again!

[alliemac2]

I would contact your OB ASAP! I am so sorry you are going throught this right now. I called a new OB office in a new town and told them i had sudden PPD(think it was coming on for awhile). They saw me right away. Had a panic attack, called them they Dr. saw me right away and gave me xanax. I will forever be indebted to this DR.

Call your OB. I already feel so much better and each day gets better. I am taking Lexapro and like it more than Zoloft. Good luck and HUGS! ALlison