Depression

[Arch]

Depression is a odd thing, If you are really depressed or deeply depressed you cant do a dam thing. Supposedly to see a Psych Doc you have to wait for several months? Every Doc I see says I need antidepression drugs, the Last one was a Hepatoligist at the Local University Hospital! I asked him If he could go to my VA doc to get the Script there as it wont cost me more than copay? Va doc says I should not take this med because it can cause problems with sleep and I already have that problem! The Local psycholigist for the Transplant Team Psych chewed me out because the "jerk" I saw at the VA was incompetent and only wanted me to quit smoking! I dont smoke at all? The More I deal with the VA the worser I get. And they call me nutz? (true story)

Arch Sgt. USAF

[Pete53]

Actually most of the Docs are so overloaded I am surprised when they do anything right.

[john999]

So true, Pete. I know my VA shrink is a very decent guy but he must see one patient every twenty minutes all day long. I only get to see him once every 3-4 months. It is a joke. We just chat about BS for a few minutes and he tells me a few jokes and that is it. I just go to keep up the continuity of treatment.

[Jay Johnson]

Unfortunately, in a system of capitalism, you need money to get good health care...."free" or "cheap" health care is usually the worst.

[Pete53]

I quit going to VA Mental Health over 8 years ago. It seemed like at the time as long as I could get my Doc to continue my Rx for Xanax and Prozac I was much better off than the flusteration of dealing with clueless 20 year olds who had never suffered a day in their lives.

[Old 5311]

I quit going to VA Mental Health over 8 years ago. It seemed like at the time as long as I could get my Doc to continue my Rx for Xanax and Prozac I was much better off than the flusteration of dealing with clueless 20 year olds who had never suffered a day in their lives.

You must keep seeing your doctors. The VA's rationale is: If you are ill you will be seeing a doctor. Therefore records are developed to support your claim.