View RSS Feed

jenthgr8

Second opinion?

Rate this Entry
10 Comments
by
jenthgr8
, September 3rd, 2010 at 10:35 AM (979 Views)
Paige had her second appointment with the therapist yesterday. The therapist met with me beforehand and wants Paige to take a test that rules out a psychotic disorder.

She said that with my family's history of mental illness, Paige's difficulty making friends, and her insistence that nothing's wrong wtih burning herself, she is conderned that Paige might be "pre-psychotic". I'm not even sure what that means.

The kicker? The test is a thousand dollars. She said she could go as low as half of that, but no lower. I also informed her that we could only afford for Paige to come once every 2 weeks (we're paying out of pocket, $135/hour.) she got kind of squirrelly and said that Paige may need to be seen much more frequently - even a few times a week.

I know my judgement is potentially clouded by my utter terror at the words "test" and "psychotic". I want to be sure my kid gets the treatment she needs, regardless of cost. But it just felt like this woman was kind of trying to milk us for all she can. I mean, if the test is a thousand, it's a thousand. How come she can half that cost? Does she get to arbitrarily determine how much it is? If so, why is it so much? My understanding is that it's a written test, 360something questions. I almost felt like she was taking advantage of my fear and willingness to do whatever it takes to get my kid whatever help she needs.

Is it unreasonable of me to go for a second opinion before shelling out this kind of money for a test? Am I just being cheap?

Submit "Second opinion?" to Digg Submit "Second opinion?" to del.icio.us Submit "Second opinion?" to StumbleUpon Submit "Second opinion?" to Google

Categories
Uncategorized

Comments

  1. penelopejo's Avatar
    Not unreasonable. I'd rather be informed and have that second opinion than test her and start her on drugs that may change everything about her. So I say go for that second opinion. It takes time to find a good therapist. I wish you and your daughter luck on that journey.
  2. brokenandtwisted's Avatar
    Oh, dear...1000$ for a 'psychosis test'? Psychosis is an extremely vague term that encompasses a massive arena in psychiatry. Don't even take her back to that therapist. 135$/h for a therapist, not even an actual psychiatrist? Oh God...

    You're getting raped and the chick sounds like a fucking fraud.
  3. Athena's Avatar
    I concur with the ladies above. Understand that psychology is not much more than white people voodoo. There are so many theories floating around but, we know so little about the human brain and its functions (as a whole), it creates an environment just ripe for sufferers to be taken advantage of.

    Is Paige a teenager? Understand that this stage in life is hormonal in nature (as you well know) and that, as a result, temporary behaviors can at times mimic legitimate psychological issues. For example, my younger sister was a "cutter" for a period that was gone just as quick as it started. If your child is open about her burning (as my sister was about her cutting), it's likely an attention-seeking behavior rather than the result of psychosis of any sort. Those suffering from self-mutilation/injury for more sinister reasons often go to great lengths to keep their behavior secret.

    I'm no medical professional, though, of course, just someone who dealt with similar issues while raising my teenage sister. I applaud you for looking to get your daughter help while remaining skeptical. I wish more parents were like that. My recommendation? Seek a second opinion from a psychologist (as opposed to a "therapist" or a "psychiatrist" - therapists don't have as much education and psychiatrists are more prone to prescribing drugs). Try to get a recommendation from your primary physician or some other trusted medical source. A psychologist worth their weight in salt will likely recommend changes in diet and exercise before recommending expensive tests and/or drugs.

    Best of luck and, yeah, your red flags went up for all the right reasons.
  4. Pete Bondurant's Avatar
    That "therapist" is the one psychotic.
  5. Valasca's Avatar
    Pfft. Find a community mental health clinic. They go on a sliding scale fee. You can pay MUCH lower than that. I'm thinking at most $100.
    How old is Paige? Is she just in the akward teen years? ALL teens are psychotic.
  6. jenthgr8's Avatar
    She just turned 16, and besides the burning stuff, she's remarkably less psychotic than most teenagers. A little moody from time to time, but a good kid overall. She does her chores and her homework and volunteers at an animal shelter. I've found a different psychologist and we have a consultation on Thursday. And she accepts our insurance. Thanks to all for the advice.
  7. Countess Olenska's Avatar
    :) Proactive is nice. Good advocate mommy.
  8. carolinablue's Avatar
    Yes! What Athena said! I think a psychologist is the right choice, preferably one who is in a group practice with a psychiatrist. He/she can recommend seeing a shrink if deemed necessary. Psychiatrists diagnose and prescribe meds and follow sucess or failure with the drugs. Psychologists do talk therapy and help patient uncover the roots of the problem.
    You are a good mom!
  9. brokenandtwisted's Avatar
    Eh...I am anti-psychology. Many illnesses are biological in origin. Psychology is simply a wishy-washy field in the social sciences. It's a fuckin' art for crying out loud.
  10. elevator parts's Avatar
    China elevator parts wholesale center specialized inelevator door lock supply, we can produce elevator Guide shoe, escalator parts and elevator photoelectric sensor to your requirements. If you want get more types of.