Anybody who has had to visit a psychiatrist regularly knows that they are all space aliens. Not literally or at least not that you'd tell them unless you want a padded room vacation but they're rather cold, unsympathetic and unfeeling. They tend to give you the pat-on-the-head "whatever you say little crazy person" treatment while they do what they want to you anyway.
Dr. Mead is not at all bad as far as space aliens go. She listens more than any other psychiatrist I've ever had. That is to say, she appears to be 90% listening to you and 10% listening to music that she's trying to tune out. I think that if she saw me in the store she'd recognize me but not be totally sure where from for a while. I can't emphasize enough how many leaps and bounds above most psychiatrists whom I believe would hit on you at a bar or sit next to you at a dinner party all evening and not recognize you after years of monthly sessions.
Dr. Mead takes an, in her words, "overly cautious" approach to prescribing medication. I really appreciate that since we're taking things that alter brain chemistry. The second reason this is cool is that it shows Dr. Mead trusts her patients to know themselves and accurately report back to her. This puts her light years beyond other psychiatrists who just sledge hammer away at your brain and tell you that the side effects you complain of are part of you being crazy. They TELL you what you need, Dr. Mead ASKS you what you need and demonstrates concern rather than condescension. I really trust her because of this and that is one of the most important things to have in a doctor.
To add one last point in her favor Dr. Mead may have a sense of humor. The jury is still out on that one but she has actually smiled at me at least once per visit. I can count on one hand the times all the other psychiatrists I've ever had have smiled.
A 30-45 minute set up meeting will run you something like 250$ and a monthly 15 minute "med check" is 100$. Better hope your insurance covers it. They don't take American Express but they do take Visa and cash. They may take checks, if you're still living in 1995 (they can treat you for that, by the way). read more
