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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SoS on January 19, 2003, at 3:16:07
So here's the situation. I've basically been through the ringer, but now I'm on a bunch of drugs and doing um pretty well, but I've become fairly knowledgable on certain mental health topics, or at least enough to be pretty sure in recognizing problems in other people. I have this friend in Canada who I'm fairly sure is depressed (has all the symptoms)......my friend even admits that they think they are, BUT they won't go see anyone and I'm worried and I think medication might help. I looked all over the net and I can't find a psychiatrist finder for Canada really, and I found NOTHING for where this person lives. I found some links on this site for telepsychiatry but the only link about prescribing online wouldn't work :D .....so I'm wondering if anyone is using this telepsychiatry thing and can they prescribe over the net? I think this person is just really against "mushy talking about feelings stuff" especially with a stranger and doesn't really understand the nature of a psychiatrist visit. SO I think this would be perfect for them IF they can prescribe. Sorry for babbling :D but I'd really appreciate any info.
Thanks.
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 19, 2003, at 7:26:03
In reply to Telepsychiatry?? (prescribing), posted by SoS on January 19, 2003, at 3:16:07
> So here's the situation. I've basically been through the ringer, but now I'm on a bunch of drugs and doing um pretty well, but I've become fairly knowledgable on certain mental health topics, or at least enough to be pretty sure in recognizing problems in other people. I have this friend in Canada who I'm fairly sure is depressed (has all the symptoms)......my friend even admits that they think they are, BUT they won't go see anyone and I'm worried and I think medication might help. I looked all over the net and I can't find a psychiatrist finder for Canada really, and I found NOTHING for where this person lives. I found some links on this site for telepsychiatry but the only link about prescribing online wouldn't work :D .....so I'm wondering if anyone is using this telepsychiatry thing and can they prescribe over the net? I think this person is just really against "mushy talking about feelings stuff" especially with a stranger and doesn't really understand the nature of a psychiatrist visit. SO I think this would be perfect for them IF they can prescribe. Sorry for babbling :D but I'd really appreciate any info.
> Thanks.It's really great that you want to help, but it is illegal in Canada for a presciption to be written by a doctor who has not personally examined the patient. At least in Ontario, it is also necessary to be referred to a psychiatrist by another physician, which would usually be the family doctor. Your friend has to actively seek help, which would begin with a visit to the family doctor or emergency department.
Lar
Posted by SoS on January 19, 2003, at 12:33:23
In reply to Re: Telepsychiatry?? (prescribing), posted by Larry Hoover on January 19, 2003, at 7:26:03
Okay, thanks. I really don't know if they will. They live in Nova Scotia if anyone knows if it's different in that province?
Posted by shar on January 19, 2003, at 20:07:38
In reply to Telepsychiatry?? (prescribing), posted by SoS on January 19, 2003, at 3:16:07
Since you are familiar with psych meds, you know they can be pretty targeted, and I believe there is a MUCH better chance of getting effective help if your friend sees someone in person (a pdoc). For an initial evaluation, I think an in-person visit is a must-do unless something completely prevents it (such as being in the antarctic or something).
The risk is, without an accurate evaluation, your friend will be given the wrong meds, won't get better and may feel worse, and probably will get fed up pretty quickly with meds.
But you know all that already. I wanted to post this more for the benefit of others (newbies) who may be considering doing what you're talking about.
Shar
> So here's the situation. I've basically been through the ringer, but now I'm on a bunch of drugs and doing um pretty well, but I've become fairly knowledgable on certain mental health topics, or at least enough to be pretty sure in recognizing problems in other people. I have this friend in Canada who I'm fairly sure is depressed (has all the symptoms)......my friend even admits that they think they are, BUT they won't go see anyone and I'm worried and I think medication might help. I looked all over the net and I can't find a psychiatrist finder for Canada really, and I found NOTHING for where this person lives. I found some links on this site for telepsychiatry but the only link about prescribing online wouldn't work :D .....so I'm wondering if anyone is using this telepsychiatry thing and can they prescribe over the net? I think this person is just really against "mushy talking about feelings stuff" especially with a stranger and doesn't really understand the nature of a psychiatrist visit. SO I think this would be perfect for them IF they can prescribe. Sorry for babbling :D but I'd really appreciate any info.
> Thanks.
Posted by SoS on January 19, 2003, at 20:33:34
In reply to Re: Telepsychiatry?? (prescribing) » SoS, posted by shar on January 19, 2003, at 20:07:38
You do have a very good point. I definitely think a good evaluation is really important, I just don't see this person taking it seriously enough to go through the trouble of going to a doctor to get a refferal and going back to try different meds if the first trial doesn't work. I also think that no one wants to be "mentally ill". I wish I could make them understand how much it helped me when we got the right meds for me. For any newbies, take to heart that once you find the right combo you CAN be helped. I have been diagnosed with quite a few things and it took a long time but once I found the right medications/combo, I wouldn't say it's a miracle, but I'm really greatful and feel much better.
SoS
Posted by missliz on January 20, 2003, at 1:42:42
In reply to Re: Telepsychiatry?? (prescribing) » shar, posted by SoS on January 19, 2003, at 20:33:34
Well, yeah, the stigma thing. We all have friends and relatives who need to see the pdoc, but those horses won't drink for anything, will they? (You can lead a horse to water...) Tele or Web consultations are a lousy way to get care. The unfortunate truth is that your freind is going to have to want help for it to happen and for it to work. And it's going to have to be face to face with a doctor.
Is it just me, or are these the freinds and relatives who make nasty remarks about what freaks and monsters we are for struggling with psych illness?
About the only thing you can do is try to inform a relative or freind nearby and see if they can keep an eye on the situation. If your freind gets worse intervention may be possible, but don't beat yourself up about it. A lot of people want to do the Apache Dance- they expect somebody to shove them into treatment so they aren't really "crazy" and won't have to face a certain set of realities. Do what you can but don't feel bad if you can't show up like the cavalry. We all have to take responsibility for our illness and make that journey under our own steam.
Not to be a downer, but we all know that's the reality of it, don't we?missliz
This is the end of the thread.
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