Redditor Tells His Psychiatrist What He Really Thinks About His Lateness, He Leaves Him Without Meds

"I received a letter from them today stating they were ending the patient-physician relationship as of immediately."

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• May 10, 2023

Mental health, often sidelined in discussions of overall well-being, is a crucial aspect of human health. It affects how we think, feel, act, and interact with the world around us.

Mental well-being impacts our decision-making process, stress management, and ability to relate to others, making it a vital part of personal development, relationships, and even professional productivity. The importance of mental health is particularly pronounced in a world where mental health disorders are on the rise.

Conditions like depression, anxiety, and ADHD are increasingly common and can severely impact an individual's quality of life if not properly addressed. They can lead to physical health problems, impair work and school performance, and strain relationships.

OP, who runs a small digital design company, has a quarterly 15-minute appointment with their psychiatrist to refill ADHD medication. Despite having seen this psychiatrist for a year, the doctor has been consistently late, impacting OP's work schedule.

The latest episode involved the psychiatrist being 30 minutes late for a 15-minute appointment. When OP called the office to reschedule, the psychiatrist called them, justifying his lateness by attending to an emergency case.

OP, although understanding, pointed out the need for a system to inform patients of such delays. This led to a defensive response from the psychiatrist, who suggested that OP could seek another doctor.

Despite promises of a call back from the office to reschedule, OP heard nothing. When OP called to ask for a referral, considering their medication was running out, they received a letter terminating the patient-doctor relationship.

Now, with most doctors' appointments scheduled months in advance, OP is left in a predicament and wondering if they were in the wrong.

OP asks:

OP has a quarterly 15-minute appointment with their psychiatrist to refill ADHD medication

Despite having seen this psychiatrist for a year, the doctor has been consistently late, impacting OP's work schedule.

The latest episode involved the psychiatrist being 30 minutes late for a 15-minute appointment

When OP called the office to reschedule, the psychiatrist called them, justifying his lateness by attending to an emergency case.

Redditors were not convinced the story was true

Is this even leagal?

Redditors agree:

OP responded:

A psychologist says:

"Being late this often is a big deal but the use of Facebook for communication is worse."

"You can be right all the way to failure"

OP could leave awful reviews on Google and similar

"He owes you that consideration."

This could work:

"This entire story sounds odd."

"If true, OP sounds like an exhausting person"

One Redditor with experience says:

People should stand up for themselves in mental healthcare.

People share similar experiences:

The bottom line:

Finding a suitable mental health professional can be a challenge. Factors such as availability, compatibility, area of expertise, and even punctuality play a role in determining the effectiveness of the professional-patient relationship.

It's important to have a practitioner who respects their patients' time, communicates openly, and is responsive to their concerns. The process can be particularly daunting due to societal stigma and misconceptions about mental health.

Moreover, issues like insurance coverage, long wait times for appointments, and finding a doctor who is a good fit for the individual's specific needs can make the process even more difficult.

Damjan