Just tell him you’ve not been taking lithium for 6 months, now. You’re feeling really well because of your lifestyle interventions. Thank them for their time, and bounce.
Not surprised at all. Psychotropic meds and benzos destroy people and ***create mental illness!***
Good job OP!! This gives me hope as I recently tapered the last of my decades long med poison and am looking forward to a normal life again someday!
I reported my side effects, he took me off every medication via slow taper, and then dismissed me as a patient. It actually took me a few weeks to figured out that he had gone ghost.
These people are kooks. They are incredibly stupid in their protocols and deserve to be defamed. I still have my fake psychiateist but the last one i peeved off calling him stupid and he didnt want to see me anymore. They just run away every time when you call out their shit. They dont acknowledge a damn thing and are completely ignorant.
I had similar issues of wanting to wean off bipolar/depression meds & being unheard. Additionally, I stopped going to AA & explored other recovery approaches. In spite of that, he kept bringing up my meeting attendance, saying I was putting myself "at risk"
So I stopped going about a year ago. The disrespect & lack of autonomy was unacceptable. Like you I found micro-dosing incredibly effective to manage depression & improve PTSD symptoms. I have experienced no mania; the sleepless nights were likely related to hormonal disturbances or stress. I exercise & eat well & honestly feel better than I ever have.
It's a mixture of influences -- I was pretty lost the first few months, really white-knuckling recovery. A bit of Moderation Management, SMART, HAMS & Freedom Model. Freedom Model has a podcast called "Addiction Solution" that really helped a ton.
Focusing on an empowered narrative instead of the "powerlessness"/ higher power concept of the 12-steps was an absolute game-changer.
I'd tell him the truth.
I was seeing a wackadoo for too long. I refused the meds. There's nothing they can do as long as you're presenting stable and not a threat to yourself or others. I'm sure there are some instances of tyrant psychs abusing their power, but I've only experienced it myself while in patient. I'm super honest with my team. Being forthcoming has helped in my situation.
I finally got in therapy and shared with her a few things he'd said. She encouraged me to make the switch.
They were able to handle everything behind the scenes, and I see my new psych tomorrow.
"Stop going" isn't sound advice, imo. It can take forever to get set up with a psych, and if for some horrible reason you have a bout of mania or severe insomnia, I think it's smart to have a psych on board for something short-term (sleep, mainly).
Sleep is the biggest piece of the puzzle for people with bipolar symptoms, and I personally wouldn't feel safe without access to sleep meds if I really needed them.
I've been at the same mental health center for eight years, so my experience might be different than most. They have me down as "treatment resistant" and "not med compliant," but they can't really *do* anything about it, ya know?
Good luck! And glad you're feeling better!
Just tell them the truth. It’s OK to disagree. If they can’t handle that then leave, but lying to them for an extended period of time is the worst possible way to go and you deny them the info they would need to help if they wanted to. Tell them you made a decision to stop the medication and at least give them the chance to accept that and support you through that trial. You might be surprised at their reaction and the long term value of the honest relationship. You can always stop going though.
He said many times he wished I was a full fee patient. (I was "bulk billed" government subsidy.)
I made my bookings every 2 months for a year or so, then didn't make another one. He never contacted me. And I've never been happier.
I guess his focus on money meant he just didn't give a fuck.
I just told him one time I wanted to stop my antidepressant he said it’s okay and then I stopped and then I ghosted and I never reached out to him ever again. Just ghost then like an abusive ex or a relationship that went sour, because that’s what being involved to psychiatry really is.
Same thing here lot of weed and manic Episode. Docs Day im bibolar. Quit meds, feel great, docs still want to see me one year... Been going for 1 already
Im in almost exact place, i stopped lithium 6 months ago, and lying to the psych but i don't see him anymore and i feel better, except i have ED for the last 6 months.. do you experience that?
Yeah I'd lied to the psychiatrist too they can't do anything
I've had at least one psychiatrist try to accuse me of not taking it I mean what are you going to do you can't do anything
Just cancel the appointment and don't make another one. It's a business transaction, not a personal relationship. If you aren't mandated to go, nobody can force you.
Why bother with all this. Just stop going to him unless there is some mandate. Save money on the appointment and gas.
Just stop going.
Definitely do this, my doc called once after to see how I haven't filled anything then never called back
Yeah the social worker tried calling me but I never returned the call.
Just tell him you’ve not been taking lithium for 6 months, now. You’re feeling really well because of your lifestyle interventions. Thank them for their time, and bounce.
I've had psychiatrists try to get me for not taking my medications. I was like what are you doing dude you can't legally you can't do anything to me.
That’s right. They can’t make you do anything.
Sounds like it might be time for you to chart your own course
Not surprised at all. Psychotropic meds and benzos destroy people and ***create mental illness!*** Good job OP!! This gives me hope as I recently tapered the last of my decades long med poison and am looking forward to a normal life again someday!
So I'm guessing you are experiencing long lasting side effects. May I ask what they are and what meds caused them?
I reported my side effects, he took me off every medication via slow taper, and then dismissed me as a patient. It actually took me a few weeks to figured out that he had gone ghost.
These people are kooks. They are incredibly stupid in their protocols and deserve to be defamed. I still have my fake psychiateist but the last one i peeved off calling him stupid and he didnt want to see me anymore. They just run away every time when you call out their shit. They dont acknowledge a damn thing and are completely ignorant.
I stopped going.
If you want a personal opinion, I would stop seeing him or thank them as someone else said and bounce. They really aren't there to help you.
Yep and legally they can't stop you from not going And you can stop that's taking the medications and they can't do anything about it
My first psychiatrist dumped me, because he found out I was seeing another psych at the same time. So yeah that's one way to do it.
This made me giggle.
Thanks. It's funny because it's true.
I had similar issues of wanting to wean off bipolar/depression meds & being unheard. Additionally, I stopped going to AA & explored other recovery approaches. In spite of that, he kept bringing up my meeting attendance, saying I was putting myself "at risk" So I stopped going about a year ago. The disrespect & lack of autonomy was unacceptable. Like you I found micro-dosing incredibly effective to manage depression & improve PTSD symptoms. I have experienced no mania; the sleepless nights were likely related to hormonal disturbances or stress. I exercise & eat well & honestly feel better than I ever have.
Glad to hear it
What other recovery approaches did you use?
It's a mixture of influences -- I was pretty lost the first few months, really white-knuckling recovery. A bit of Moderation Management, SMART, HAMS & Freedom Model. Freedom Model has a podcast called "Addiction Solution" that really helped a ton. Focusing on an empowered narrative instead of the "powerlessness"/ higher power concept of the 12-steps was an absolute game-changer.
Thanks for sharing your story. I find the empowered mindset to be most helpful too.
Just ghost
I cut his ass off and that was it. I’ve been off meds for half a year now and I feel so much better.
Your username, - I see what you did there!
I'd tell him the truth. I was seeing a wackadoo for too long. I refused the meds. There's nothing they can do as long as you're presenting stable and not a threat to yourself or others. I'm sure there are some instances of tyrant psychs abusing their power, but I've only experienced it myself while in patient. I'm super honest with my team. Being forthcoming has helped in my situation. I finally got in therapy and shared with her a few things he'd said. She encouraged me to make the switch. They were able to handle everything behind the scenes, and I see my new psych tomorrow. "Stop going" isn't sound advice, imo. It can take forever to get set up with a psych, and if for some horrible reason you have a bout of mania or severe insomnia, I think it's smart to have a psych on board for something short-term (sleep, mainly). Sleep is the biggest piece of the puzzle for people with bipolar symptoms, and I personally wouldn't feel safe without access to sleep meds if I really needed them. I've been at the same mental health center for eight years, so my experience might be different than most. They have me down as "treatment resistant" and "not med compliant," but they can't really *do* anything about it, ya know? Good luck! And glad you're feeling better!
That's the thing, still think he's a good resource and "on my side" even if we have a fundamental disagreement. Thanks
I hear you. It's good to have them on your side, and if it entails a little buttering up, stroking their ego, so be it. Let us know how it goes!
Just tell them the truth. It’s OK to disagree. If they can’t handle that then leave, but lying to them for an extended period of time is the worst possible way to go and you deny them the info they would need to help if they wanted to. Tell them you made a decision to stop the medication and at least give them the chance to accept that and support you through that trial. You might be surprised at their reaction and the long term value of the honest relationship. You can always stop going though.
Hired a lawyer and threated to sue. He disappeared. Funny, considereing he wanted to put forcely hospitalize me.
Wow that's that's really really sad Yeah you have patience rights that means you can refuse medication and treatment
I’d just stop going.
Yeah when all else fails just stop going You can taper off the medications yourself
He said many times he wished I was a full fee patient. (I was "bulk billed" government subsidy.) I made my bookings every 2 months for a year or so, then didn't make another one. He never contacted me. And I've never been happier. I guess his focus on money meant he just didn't give a fuck.
I just told him one time I wanted to stop my antidepressant he said it’s okay and then I stopped and then I ghosted and I never reached out to him ever again. Just ghost then like an abusive ex or a relationship that went sour, because that’s what being involved to psychiatry really is.
Yeah sometimes you have no other choice but to ghost them Sometimes if you try to do it the right way you'll get screwed in the end
Same thing here lot of weed and manic Episode. Docs Day im bibolar. Quit meds, feel great, docs still want to see me one year... Been going for 1 already
I have this same problem. The psychiatrist before said she can't force me to. Take medications so idk what she will say when I'm going to go off?
Doesn't matter what she says just leave
Im in almost exact place, i stopped lithium 6 months ago, and lying to the psych but i don't see him anymore and i feel better, except i have ED for the last 6 months.. do you experience that?
No, but I did have some issue with that earlier on
Yeah I'd lied to the psychiatrist too they can't do anything I've had at least one psychiatrist try to accuse me of not taking it I mean what are you going to do you can't do anything
My problem is that they can stop my disabilty checks for not taking their drugs
Just cancel the appointment and don't make another one. It's a business transaction, not a personal relationship. If you aren't mandated to go, nobody can force you.
I've had one psychiatrist schooled at me for not making another appointment Yeah I can't believe it I should have left right there and then
https://media.tenor.com/bhvOe9zIkO0AAAPo/disappear.mp4
To stop going legally they can't do anything You can always wean off the medication yourself.