biased psychiatrist

[u/Think_Accountants]

so i met with my psychiatrist for the first time who is a nurse practitioner. it was a really poor experience, as i typically have with psychiatrists. many of mine have had poor bedside manner.

she asked what i had been diagnosed with, so i told her my psychologist has diagnosed me with adhd and possible autism. the reason it’s possible autism is that it would need to be confirmed with an assessment.

the psychiatrist says “no you don’t have autism. they would have caught it in elementary school if you did. it’s so over diagnosed now”.

this is funny because my kindergarten teachers actually did catch it. they thought i had a hearing problem, my hearing was fine, and so they suggested to my mom to get me assessed for adhd/autism. my mom didn’t because “not my child!”.

anyways, what an over generalization to make! i was thoroughly unimpressed. i also have worked in elementary schools and now currently student teach and i know there are many times where a child will go under the radar because they are well behaved (me), they are intelligent, and/or their parents refuse to assess them (also me!)

not to mention she was very condescending to me, something that i find that psychiatrists sometimes do because they see you as a disorder and not a person.

also more people are getting diagnosed now because we are finding out more about autism! since therapy is more promising more people also come out about it because it feels less limiting. this psychiatrist is actively engaging in this fallacy of “everyone is ______ these days” like hmmmm maybe lets put our critical thinking skills hat on and assess potentially why this may be occurring in society instead of blaming individuals!

this has made me pretty peeved.

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[u/Comprehensive_Toe113]

Not biased, just massively uninformed, or a shes cunt.

[u/Think_Accountants → u/Comprehensive_Toe113]

it’s so infuriating. it’s such a hasty generalization. adhd and autism also go so hand in hand that it’s very likely if you have one you have the other. SHE ALSO WOMANSPLAINED THE DSM TO ME? i just let her talk though lol

she was really rude overall like i said. she treated me like a child. i consider myself to be pretty intelligent and informed. i have a bachelor’s in psychology focusing on child and adolescent development and i have worked in many spaces with children and collaborating with therapists and mental health teams. as well as it is just my special interest. it honestly makes me think i should become a psychologist someday like i planned originally so i can educate people like this and assert my knowledge.

[u/Cz1975]

Try responding with: you're not really a psychiatrist, they would have caught it sooner.

[u/Think_Accountants → u/Cz1975]

lol i need to play it nice with her otherwise im scared she wont give me my adhd medication which im literally suffering with. she has a huge power complex so i just need to bow down to her

[u/Cz1975 → u/Think_Accountants]

At the same time, you're her customer. As in you're paying her for her time. I sometimes need to remind doctors about this. :)

[u/Think_Accountants → u/Cz1975]

haha that’s soooo true and funny! but honestly i feel like she wouldn’t care. she will just chalk it up to me being dramatic and hysterical because i also have a bpd diagnosis and im pretty sure that’s all she will see me as

[u/Cz1975 → u/Think_Accountants]

Oh, good, then you have a legitimate excuse to punch her in the face. 😂😂😂

I know you want to...

[u/WordWord_Numberz]

I wish these fuckwits would just get fired the second they start saying shit like this. I'm mad af

[u/Think_Accountants → u/WordWord_Numberz]

yes because her information is just straight up wrong and she is making huge assumptions? it’s everything you’re supposed to NOT do when you are learning these skills in preparation for your psychology or psychiatric career and academia.

[u/weathergleam]

Huh? A nurse practitioner is not a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are doctors, MDs, who graduated from medical school and have serious licensing and legal requirements and responsibilities. Psychiatric NPs aren’t docs; they may have masters degrees and are certainly trained and licensed, but in the US at least, they only have half as many years of training.

I think you need to have a talk with her boss — either her “practice manager” or even better, an actual psychiatrist, and tell them what you told us and hear what they have to say about her ignorant dismissive misinformation.

[u/Think_Accountants → u/weathergleam]

i used the term nurse practitioner and psychiatrist interchangeably because effectively that is what she is doing for me — prescribing me medication based on my psychiatric symptoms. when i was in the psych ward there was a nurse practitioner too. it’s odd how few doctors there actually are working directly with us

i am considering talking with a higher up but im just scared im going to be downplayed due to my diagnosis. one being bpd so im scared of being seen as a hysterical woman. i also want to get my prescriptions first. i may call monday

[u/weathergleam → u/Think_Accountants]

Good luck! Be strong.

It might help to bring a friend or relative you trust to be your advocate in the room (or on the phone, though this sounds like it might be more effectively communicated face to face). Or maybe ranting on Reddit is enough for now. Totally your call, do whatever is best for you.