My psychologist referred me to Rice for antidepressant meds. I was surprised as was my psychologist that Rice never contacted the referring therapist. He also didn't take any history, didn't ask what I did with my time, if I worked, who is in my family/ household, or about any health concerns. I told him I once took antidepressants that worked okay, tho I wasn't really satisfied with them. He didn't offer to help identify one that worked better for me, just gave me an RX for the old ones. (New meds have come out since I took the old ones, I'm sure there were other choices.)
He required that I come back every few months for 50 mins, even though I had no probs with the meds, & was in weekly therapy. Each of these meetings were the same: We spent five mins saying yep the meds work fine, then sat there in silence. I tried to think of things to say, but he deflected what I offered, I assume he thought I should save comments about anything going on in my life for my therapist. After a few tries I would ask him directly what he thought we should do with the remaining 40 mins. He smiled & shrugged, which I guess was meant to be an analytic response, but he wasn't my therapist, he was prescribing meds; a straight forward response didn't seem like an unreasonable request.
After a few sessions like this I told him that $ was tight, and asked If I could come less often, or just meet for 20 mins when we did meet, unless a problem developed with my meds. He said he didn't work that way; wouldn't meet less frequently or for shorter "medication check" session.
After another few sessions like this I decided it was confusing, frustrating, not a good use of my $, & not fair to my insurance company for us to continue meeting like this.
My PCP helped me find an antidepressant that works, she knows my medical history, and I only see her about these meds twice a year. read more