Did my psychologist behave unethically?

At the end of the initial evaluation, the psychologist told me that I was depressed and that I needed to get medications from a psychiatrist. Having my personal reasons to shy away from psychotropic medications, I asked her if it was possible for her to give me therapy without the use of medications. She told me, in a very direct manner, that she could not help me until I went on medications because I was depressed and there was nothing she could tell me that would make me feel better because when people are depressed they don't listen to anything you tell them.

Did she behave unethically? And if so, what should I have done?

Hi,

I don't think 'enethically' is the right word to use. I mean, you went to see her to obtain her professional opinion, and she then gave it to you. If you do not agree with her opinion, then she cannot really help you like she would have wanted to. I disagree too that she or other doctors don't listen to depressed people. I mean, they do listen - of course they do. Oh, therapy is generally given in conjunction with medication.

Why do you not wish to be on medication though? What are your fears or beliefs in relation to it?

Take care,
Kevin

Chucky wrote:
Why do you not wish to be on medication though? What are your fears or beliefs in relation to it?

Take care,
Kevin

I have a right, as a patient, to refuse medications. I refuse medications on the grounds that I want to exercise my right to refuse medications. My understanding is that mental health professionals are not supposed to refuse therapy to patients who don't want medications. The psychologist in question essentially denied me therapy unless I went on medications. That's why I asked if the psychologist's behavior is unethical.

(Perhaps in Ireland the psychologist's behavior is acceptable. In the country I come from, I think it isn't.)

I know that you have a right to refuse medication - of course you do. I just thought that you had something against taking them for some reason. Anyway, if the reason you have for refusing medication is genuinely the one that you have just given (i.e. on the grounds that you simply wish to exercise your right to refuse them), I find that astonishing.

Your psychologist might be refusing the therapy specifically because it is a type of therapy that requires medication to be taken alongside it. Also, she cannot prescribe you with the medication herself - Only, the psychiatrist can. So, she might know for a fact that the psychiatrist won't deal with you unless you are on medication. In this sense, she is doing you a favour by not wasting your or her time in contacting the psychiatrist.

Take care,
Kevin.

Chucky wrote:I know that you have a right to refuse medication - of course you do. I just thought that you had something against taking them for some reason. Anyway, if the reason you have for refusing medication is genuinely the one that you have just given (i.e. on the grounds that you simply wish to exercise your right to refuse them), I find that astonishing.

I have other reasons why I choose to stay away from medications, but I don't need to discuss them with you or anyone else as I am not in need of having anyone try to convince me that medications are ok for me. To each his own. I choose to stay away from medications and I expect people to respect my decision. If a mental health professional tries to talk me into getting medications, I simply stand up from my seat and walk out of her office, not so much because they tried to talk me into doing medications, but because of the mere fact that they mistakenly assumed that trying to talk me into doing something that I clearly indicated that I didn't want to do was the way they were going to get me to comply. That type of behavior is disrespectful, and I don't respond well to it. Any mental health professional incapable of seeing that is not worthy of my time.

Your psychologist might be refusing the therapy specifically because it is a type of therapy that requires medication to be taken alongside it. Also, she cannot prescribe you with the medication herself - Only, the psychiatrist can. So, she might know for a fact that the psychiatrist won't deal with you unless you are on medication. In this sense, she is doing you a favour by not wasting your or her time in contacting the psychiatrist.

Take care,
Kevin.

Then she should have recommended other alternatives.

Okay, you're right in that you don't have to tell any of us your reasons (and I respect your decision). I am just worried that your entire attitude here is blocking you from getting the help that you appear to need. However, don't change who you are on account of anyone else. If you are happy with wh you are, then fine. If, however, you are deeply depressed, then perhaps listening to the advice of others is exactly what you need.

Take care,
Kevin.

Chucky wrote:Okay, you're right in that you don't have to tell any of us your reasons (and I respect your decision). I am just worried that your entire attitude here is blocking you from getting the help that you appear to need. However, don't change who you are on account of anyone else. If you are happy with wh you are, then fine. If, however, you are deeply depressed, then perhaps listening to the advice of others is exactly what you need.

Take care,
Kevin.

I'm talking about an experience I had 6 years ago. I'm currently not depressed .

...ahhhhh... ...Forgive me. I do hope that things are okay for you now then. What was the outcome of that whole situation with the psychologist then? Did you ever go back?

Kevin

Chucky wrote:...ahhhhh... ...Forgive me. I do hope that things are okay for you now then. What was the outcome of that whole situation with the psychologist then? Did you ever go back?

Kevin

I didn't bother receiving therapy from that woman. The internet has been my therapist for the last 6 years.

Okay, and what was the other doctor that you went to like?