My Journey to Find "Dr. Right"

My healthcare providers have been all over the place through the years. I have seen a host of different physicians for my depression and comorbid anxiety. If you are starting out on your treatment journey, hopefully this article will be of assistance to you.

Needing quality care for depression

You may be confused or even a little overwhelmed as to how to find the right fit for your situation. From my experience, finding the right therapist and psychiatrist was not easy.

A revolving door of doctors

Ironically, I began my journey at one of the "best" teaching hospitals in the nation. I was a teenager and knew little about my depression. Unfortunately, I ended up overmedicated, misdiagnosed, and saw new physicians every 6 months. My physicians were residents and they left due to their graduations. Their graduations did not help my situation, it only made it worse.

I do have to say, some might like the idea of having a resident physician as a psychiatrist because they have knowledge of the latest research and treatments. I did not like this situation. Every time I established a relationship with my physician, it was time for him or her to graduate and leave to start their own practicums. When my doctor graduated, I would then find a new one and start over.

Finding the right therapist was hard, too

Therapy can be intimidating too. Many people feel this way. I felt this way at the beginning. However, there is no shame in reaching out for help with your depression.

I had one therapist early in my journey that I had to let go of. We would start every session with pure silence for at least ten minutes. She would sit there and stare at me. Some therapists use this approach, but it made me uncomfortable. I felt that our personalities were not a match.

If you are uncomfortable with your provider, it is okay to let them go and find someone else if you can.

I have finally found the right providers

Fast forward to the present day. I have now moved out of state. I am very fortunate to have found two mental health providers who genuinely care about me. They have both proven this on multiple occasions.

I have a very good relationship with my current therapist. She is warm, compassionate, and uses humor in her approach to therapy especially on the really heavy days. If you are looking for a therapist, it is important that your personalities match. Take it from me, finding this is possible.

Finding true support in a therapist

I struggle with chronic illness, so on my really bad days the two of us talk about our Siberian Huskies in order to shift my focus (I have a female, while she has a male) or we exchange photos of them.

My therapist does everything she can to support me. If she knows I am not feeling well, she will even send me text messages asking if I’m okay and if there is anything she can do.

When interviewing a potential therapist ask yourself, "Will this person support me in my darkest hour? Do they have emergency services?"These are important questions to consider. I found my therapist on the Psychology Today directory.

Medication management with a psychiatrist

If you decide to take medication for your depression, you will likely need a psychiatrist. I have a physician's assistant (PA) who is in charge of this. He is awesome.

My PA is thorough, compassionate, answers all of my questions, tracks me down if he doesn't hear from me, and responds timely in emergencies. Another thing I like about him is he treats me like a human being instead of a number.

My prescribing doctor knows how to talk to me

He is chill and very personable. Also, he can gauge how I'm feeling by the sound of my voice. There is no such thing as "faking" my depression with him, which I attempt to do by default sometimes. That simply does not work.

Instead, he will gently ask me how I'm really feeling and then I will tell him the truth. If I'm feeling poorly, he will not dare let me off the phone until he knows I am in a safe frame of mind. Unfortunately, I failed to have this type of bond with any of my physicians in the past. They would just prescribe medications and send me out the door.

Quality mental health providers are out there

The intention of this article is to prove that quality mental health care does exist. If you live with depression, you are not alone. Do not be afraid to seek help.

Sometimes it takes trial and error. If you find someone you trust, try to stick with them. If you don't like your provider or if they aren't listening to your concerns, it is okay to find someone new.

Finding the right provider can require patience. However, it is possible. Your health is worth the effort.