Simply the Best: Getting the Top Psychiatrist You Can Afford

I don’t know about you, but I have been to some real wing-dinger psychiatrists. Once I was on nine medications at a local clinic. Then, there was the the psychiatrist who made me journal – and read them – finally confessing “you’re like a daughter to me.” Creepy! 

I’ll never forget the one who wouldn’t listen to me. That was frustrating! I relayed, many times, that the new medication wasn’t working. Plus, I had packed on thirty pounds. (This wasn’t the bad part.) He had the gall to continually tell me I needed to lose weight at every visit!  I wanted to wring his little soaking wet-100 lb body! I have paid my dues.

The truth is, however, there are a lot of amazing psychiatrists out there.

Often though, we feel confined to the list given by our insurance, or attend clinics if our budgets are tight.

We don’t realize the gems aren’t always listed.

They might not be on the Top 10 Top Doc lists, but they’re out there! My life changed when I found my psychiatrist.

But how do you find them?

To find him or her, I asked all my bipolar friends, family friends and psychologist friend.  Who is the best, I asked. When I kept getting the same name, I knew. He is still my psychiatrist twelve years later.

Sure I’ve had to do without having my hair professionally colored (that has been interesting), or going to the movies and concerts. I’ve shopped almost exclusively at thrift shops, discount shops and my mom’s closet, but who cares? I also left corporate America to start a new career and took a huge cut in pay. We all make choices for our mental health. 

Here are my tips:

• Seek the best doctor you can afford.
• Look beyond who your insurance covers; often, the best doctors are not on that list.
• If you see (or know) a psychologist, ask who they recommend.
• Inquire with friends, family – especially any bipolar friends – who they recommend or go to.
• Although the best pscyhiatrists don’t usually accept insurance, they do offer “med check”, fifteen minute appointments. If you go once a month or so, it is not so steep.  

One word of caution: Make sure if you do take the plunge, that you have overlapping coverage. In other words, don’t discontinue seeing your first doctor until you are established with your new one.