I’m lucky in that I found Silvan Lodge Clinic in North Caulfield which has both the main psychiatrist and offices for psychiatrists so you can get both services under the one roof. But there’s no need to have both under one roof.
Nine years ago I went to a shrink (psychiatrist) and there was barely any discussion. He just asked “how are you feeling” and that’s it. He gave me some pills (Aropax, an SSRI similar to Prozac) as I requested but I didn’t understand my issues or really dtect what the drugs did. It’s a real pity, because I was unknowingly on the right track but I dropped it because I didn’t understand what was happening. It all seemed like a waste of time to me at the time. I only re-visited all these issues when I had a name and was more desperate, and THEN I started to realise what was going on in my head and also what SSRI drugs do. And what to expect and what not to expect. And the difference between a psychiatrist and psychologist on the ground.
The key wisdom is to realise mental issues (such as depression) are BOTH psychological and neurological. Some issues are more one or the other, but you can’t separate the two. Unfortunately, treatment is separated because no matter what a psychiatrist says, they mainly deal with the chemical issues, not the psychological issues and vice-versa.
For example, I have realised I suffered from depression. The clear time was coming home from work, I knew people shouldn’t feel that crap and believed there was something chemical. Turns out it’s low serotonin. I was right. It’s not even a theory, it’s a fact. I needed to boost my serotonin, which is best done these days with an SSRI like Prozac (or one of many generic forms since their copyright expired). I’m taking Lovan. It’s Fluoxetine in the end. It’s the original SSRI.
The problem is people with issues need some drugs from their psychiatrist to “normalise” their neurotransmitters. If you have low serotonin, you’ll feel like crap no matter what a psychologist says. But even when you get to normalise your serotonin with the help of some SSRI (or your unique issue), you almost always need to have a chat to someone, a psychologist, just to process things. The main thing a psychologist usually (not always) does is “Cognitive Behavioural Therapy”.
Personally, I think I’m unique in my understanding of CBT, but I’m still seeing a psychologist to support my progress. There is no question about the neurochemical and psychological joint approach. It’s sad it’s not one person in this age, but it’s two. But don’t fear any of it. Both those people are gentle and understanding and helpful. I want to encourage people to take the plunge. Typically a psychiatrist won’t say you need a psychologist and vice versa. Don’t believe it. Explain to both that you want to also see the other. They will understand. If you want to speak personally, let me know.
If you live in Australia, almost all of this is now covered under Medicare so anyone can access these services. Psychology has been covered under Medicare in Australia since November 2006. Psychaiatry always was. You can use both if you hold a Medicare card. There is sometimes a “gap” though.
