What's the most you have ever had to pay for a psychiatrist? My last 2 over an extended time was no more then $200, but I was bulk billed. I'm semi rural, and I feel my new psych is taking advantage of the lack of mental health help in our region, with all others having closed books..... I'm being charged $400 for 30 minutes, with only $160 of that back with medicare.... meaning he's charging far more then the medical standard price.
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That's normal for a private one in my area also.
You can't get connected to community mental health where it's free?
They are very expensive but they're not taking advantage. I think it takes 8 or more years to become a psychiatrist? And that would be full on brain melting study. On top of having to do nothing but school and study through high school so if you add it all up they're actually more like 15 years in the making. Worth every penny.
Yeah but they are also serving one of the most marginalised groups in our community.
People imagine patients sitting on the couch tellingthem their problems, but the reality is very different.
It's spending very little time with extremely mentally ill people, trying yet another med to stabilise a psychotic bipolar or a schitzophrenic having delusions, hearing voices or a person so depressed they don't eat or shower.
Families at their wits end.
Homeless people walking around talking to themselves.
Ex military with PTSD.
People trying to kill themselves.
Psychiatrists are the medicators.
Community mental health needs to be provided in all areas and if unavailable, Government should pay for private consultations.
Exactly what QLD gov did to get rid of the dental wait list, they paid private dentists.
Also, its longer than eight years, psychiatrists are doctors first, then specialise.
Yeah, I know. That's why I guessed 8 because it's 6 years to become a Doctor then 2 years to specialise.
Psychiatrists are Doctors. They're not counselors that are going to give you a hug. They treat medical conditions. I don't think I've said anything wrong not sure why you've waffled on. They're worth their money. They earnt it. They don't need to deal with emotions unless trying to diagnose someone. That's not what they are there for lol.
Sorry, I wasn't having a go at you.
Just the system.
People not receiving mental health treatment due to money is really terrible.
This is very true and well said. Sadly tho, a majority of psychiatrists have no experience with psychotic disorders or more complex issues because they are utilised in other, more common areas, which makes it hard for people with these problems to be treated. These patients also lack insight and a majority don't seek help on their own. To make these patients receive treatment it has to be court ordered, which is long and difficult; significant events have to have occurred over a long period of time and they need to be noted on cimha for any professional to make a diagnosis or court to order treatment. Hence why there arnt many professionals that have experience with psychotic disorders or more complex issues. Its genuinely frustrating when multiple professionals tell you your family members problems are too complex for them and desperately searching for professionals in other countries is your reality 😓
Sorry, I was going off topic there and waffling on 😅 it's a topic close to my heart that I find interesting and like to share what I've learnt
Sorry I thought you were having a go, it's hard to tell what people mean sometimes lol.
I've found the public hospital have no problem very quickly and efficiently putting orders on people, with nothing but the severity of the condition. I think we had to have a little conference (as a close relative) and they had to get approval from a second psych. Not sure what else was required behind the scenes. This is in regional QLD though, I'm sure it varies, depending on state/area.
Ah, interesting! We're in Brisbane. I have heard stories of people being slapped with orders to take meds for mental health conditions they apparently don't have, but I'm dubious about that. My family members journey started in adolescence with an autoimmune disease/sleep disorder, so I'm not sure if that changed the way mental health dealt with them because of the crossovers.
This was an order to stay in hospital.
Severe bi-polar.
As she is compliant in taking meds with family support, they removed order when they let her out.
It's happened like that about 5 times.