Will Need A Therapist After This Service
(I’ve been suffering a serious lack of motivation, excitement, and other generally positive emotions recently, so I decide to see if I could get prescribed some anti-depressants, or something of the sort to help me start functioning. Being a person with relatively bad anxiety, I decide to try to contact my old psychiatrist that I had when I was being given ADHD medicine. After a bit of contact, I learn that since it’s been over a year since I last saw him, I qualify as a new patient, and am told he’s not taking new clients. However, the lady on the phone offered to send him an email, seeing if he might be willing to make an exception. Understanding that it was no guarantee, and that it was even unlikely, I accepted. About a day later, I receive a call from the psychiatrist’s office, this time from a different, older sounding woman.)
Secretary #2: “I’m calling [My Name] about a request to see [Psychiatrist]? I’m sorry, but I’m afraid he’s not taking new clients at this time. Would you like to schedule to see another of our doctors?”
(I’m a bit upset, but I understood from the beginning my chances of getting back in were low. I politely decline for the time being, intending to look more into the other doctors before picking one. About two days later, I get another call. This time, it’s from the secretary I originally spoke to, who offered to send the email.)
Secretary #1: “Hi. [My Name], I’m calling back about your appointment request for [Psychiatrist]. He hasn’t gotten back to reply yet, as he only comes in a couple days a week. Would you like to keep waiting, or go ahead and try another doctor?”
Me: *confused* “I thought he wasn’t taking new patients? I got a call telling me he wasn’t going to see me…”
Secretary #1: “Yes, disregard that. Sorry for the confusion. She didn’t see the note I left her. Your reply is still pending. Would you like to keep waiting?”
(I eagerly agree, glad that I hadn’t already scheduled an appointment. Again, about another day later, I get a call, again from the older woman from the first callback.)
Secretary #2: “Yes, I’m calling again to tell [My Name] that [Psychiatrist] is not taking any new patients.”
(Since the wording is so similar to the first time, I explain that I had an email sent and was waiting for a reply.)
Secretary #2: “Yes, I saw that. Unfortunately, he’s already incredibly booked and we’re lucky we have him the few days we do. He is not taking any new patients; this is an order from his boss. Would you like to schedule with another doctor?”
(Thinking this as final, I decline again since I’m nearing tears of disappointment. We hang up, and I start looking up other psychiatrists. However, again, a day later…)
Secretary #1: “Yes, I’m calling back about [Psychiatrist]. He has agreed to see you, so long as you agree to first make an appointment with one of our psychologists to get diagnosed.”
(I’m shocked.)
Me: “Really?! I was told that there was no way I was allowed; he had orders from his superior…”
Secretary #1: “Well, I apologize for the confusion, but I can assure you he has agreed. Will you come in for a counseling session?”
(I agreed, and we set up an appointment. Since neither secretary gave me their name, I couldn’t file a complaint about the one who, for seemingly no reason, was rather desperate to keep me from seeing the doctor I was comfortable with. Oh, well.)
