How to find a psychiatrist

[Cheerio]

Hi, I’m Cheerio. Mother of a 24 daughter who has Bipolar1 for 2 years.

I was ignorant about mental illness and her condition 2 years ago.  Actually she admitted that she was depressed for many years. 

Recently she had one relapse after another. Moving house is stressful and might be the cause. However, the public sector is in crisis, I feel.  In one admission the junior doctor discharged her and the GP couldn’t track any discharge summary.  No medication No plans if she couldn’t sleep.  

Anyway that led to the last admission over Christmas. That was quite demotivating to her as she was trying hard already.  The Community Mental Nurse was very rude. My daughter was begging for help, to relax, to sleep.  The nurse called her drug seeking. My daughter walked out and said not to see her face again.

Is there any way to find a psychiatrist who will bulk bill or charge less [location edited by moderator]? My daughter needs a psychiatrist who looks after her and adjusts her medication.  Her deteriorating mental health over the last two years, dropping out from her university course, are results of her not being cared for properly.

Now that she’s in Sydney, her father and I will be her advocate and we want to support her. Is there any affordable psychiatrist for her and the same doctor, if possible?

[DogMan79]

Bulk billing psychiatrist are like hen's teeth 

It's generally difficult to get into anybody. Let alone someone affordable. Lots of patients just get discharged to their GP and refused psychiatric oversight 

[tyme]

Hi @Cheerio ,

Sorry to hear about how hard it has been for your daughter to receive the support she's been asking for.

Do you happen to have private health insurance? Some people sign up for private health with one of the extras as mental health so they can access a private hospital for a planned admission. They generally have more therapy and programs in private health than they have during a public admission.

ALthernatively, you may want to contact NSW Mental Health to see what is available for your daughter https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/default.aspx

[Cheerio]

Hi Tyne, She has to see a private psychiatrist before n during those day programs in private hospital. The gap is $500 for the first visit. That’s a lot for her.

[tyme]

True. If you approach the clinics, I wonder if they can recommend anyone to her @Cheerio ?

Whilst the gap is $500, healthcare can be much much more. I really hope she gets the support she needs.

Also, upon discharge from hospital, did they provide a psychiatric triage number? I believe you can call that number if you need urgent help