[randyshoe]

I have been diagnosed with GAD, SAD, and ADHD by a GP. I have been seeing a therapist for a while now but seem to be making minimal gains. All of the strategies that I have tried- I have come up with myself. I am at the point where I don't know how helpful she is. Do you think I would be better off seeing a phychologist so that I could get meds from her and work through my issues? I am at such a loss because I thought I would be getting more out of therapy. Any suggestions/comments would be so greatly appreciated! Thank you! Kate:confused:

[J_9]

Your meds cannot be prescribed by a psychologist, a psychiatrist prescribes meds.

GAD, and SAD can be taken care of through a GP, ADHD can be too, but only to a point.

What meds have you been prescribed?

[randyshoe]

I am on zoloft and xanax... but nothing for the adhd, which seems to be the worst. My GP prescribes it all but I feel like I am having more panic attacks since I have been on the meds so I don't know if maybe the adhd is causing the Gad and sad... it is soooo confusing. I don't know what my next step should be.

[J_9]

The combo of zoloft and xanax can certainly cause panic attacks. Xanax is highly addictive.

For GAD and SAD Effexor is recommended above the two you are on.

[randyshoe]

To throw another obstacle in- we are trying to get pregnant and my RE told me zoloft was the best to be on when pregnant. I only take xanax as needed- and plan not to take any while I am pregnant. Do you think if I focused on the adhd and taking meds for that- it would decrease the anxieties, etc. too?

[valinors_sorrow]

I come from the school of thought that psychotropic drugs are mostly a stop-gap measure to eleviate suffering long enough to do the real work, unless of course the condition is strictly biological. For that reason, I think its worth it to see a psychologist who is backed up by a psychiatrist. As J-9 says, you see the shink only for medication reveiws as they will be writing the prescriptions and you do all the talk therapy with the psychologist. Shop around, look for recommendations through related support groups or mental health associations. If you are not getting tangible relief from your current therapist over time, then its time to switch. I usually know in 3-5 sessions whether it's a good fit or not. And its perfectly okay to raise your concerns about it with your current therapist and/or ask for a referral too.

I have a basic rule of thumb about how to know if I fit well with a therapist and this is it: I must be mostly comfortable with them yet a little uncomfortable too. The first part so I can build enough trust to really open up, the latter because that's how I know they can "get me in my bs" -- without that ability its predictably ineffective or too slow for my taste. When it's a good fit and you do the work, the results can be spectacular once in a while and wonderful most of the time, but it does take a kind of trudge-trudge work.

I hope that helps!

[randyshoe]

Thanks it does help. I feel like I am coming up with all of the answers myself- and I think it has to do with my background and training. Sometimes, I wonder why I pay so much to just have her agree to my ideas. I think it is time to move on. Thank you! :)