OCD? After 10 minutes, he decides you have OCD?

Not saying you don't, because I don't know all the issues, but I know the therapist we took our son to insisted on 5 visits (he told us it was requried/recommended by the Amer. Psych Assoc.) before he "diagnosed" him. He said the "losers medicate before they listen and observe".

And I tend to agree with him. Theres lots of OCD symptom lists floating around the net, so check them out. I googled it.

Do you have the "compusive irrational" part? (LIke bizarre handwashing/light switch flicking/counting steps stuff?)

I figured you were just anxious because money's tight and the 'hood is a bit stressful, unable to enjoy the natural release of pure sex b/c of the ole Sperminator and his potent juice, and probably dealing with a little bit of eating for comfort. Your body naturally tries to "fix" itself either through natural fixes of walking, vitamines etc, or it tries to regulate your endorphins by craving foods high in fat/calories because those cause an endorphin rush.

So, reprioritizing might be part of the therapy, deciding what's important to worry about and what isn't, making a decision that if you catch yourself worrying about a "no no", then you'll do something fun (not punishing, just distracting) like sing a song, or eat an orange, or shoot your hubby with a water gun to re-train your brain not to think about more than it can handle.

Then forcing hubby to get clipped so you can enjoy the whoopie again.

We rebudgeted, but this time allowed for a "fun time" activity every week. (but agreed to not eat meat 2ce a week to save that money).

Stuff like that...anyway. I agree with the fact that I would be leery of going on meds after a 10 min diagnostic session.

Love you completely and want you to know that- you have our support and prayers!

Oh man, I would be so pissed if I was thrown out of my kids' game! I hate those stupid refs that have no business being refs... Where do they find these people anyway?

They should let us moms keep track of the game. Ha!

First off, maybe Kari Heffernan is to blame for all your problems. Did the phsychiatrist tell you that? I mean, really, he's known your for like and hour. He should totally know.

Seriously. Answering his cell phone during your session is completely rude and unprofessional. I would complain about him and not go see him and possibly demand a free session (maybe from someone else).
I also agree with you about "the drugs". But OCD drugs after talking to you one time? No way.

I think you should find another doc. What a dillhole! No one can diagnose you after only ten minutes, and the cellphone call things is just completely unacceptable. Did he comp you for those ten minutes? I THINK NOT.

Explains why the guy was so darned available on short notice now, doesn't it?

p.s. I knew it was the ice cream. I would have done the exact same thing. Except with peanut butter & chocolate.

I agree completely -- this guy is a douche. It is completely unprofessional to answer a cell phone AND HAVE A CONVERSATION. In fact, I think that would be considered stealing, since you were paying him for his time.

personally, i would not have the guts to complain about him, but I would not see him again. You need to trust your therapist... not hate him/her.

I cannot wait to get kicked out of my kids games. I am all about that. I'm glad you are talking to someone, you are a great person no matter what! I always fart and claim it, I'm not letting the kids brag about it!

You need a new therapist. This guy is a fool, and rude to boot! Find someone who will listen and devote their entire attention to you during your time with them. They also need to be someone who doesn't jump to conclusions.

Shop around.

Fourth times a charm! (A new one will be your 4th, right?) Man, why is it so hard to find a good therapist? I send you good therapy mojo thoughts.

You don't have to have bizarre handwashing/lightswitch flicking/counting steps, etc... to have OCD. I don't have any of that and I'm a compulsive overeater. I wouldn't totally dismiss what he said.

I agree, his answering his phone and more than that...having a conversation during your time with him is totally unprofessional.

I know that therapy is a personal thing and everyone has their own opinion on it, but I thought I'd give you advice from my own experiences with it. I've been to a lot of counselors and been on medication and been off. I agree that sometimes medication is necessary, but not always. Your description of this doctor has me really concerned and worried that he is the type to quickly diagnose and prescribe. It took me a few, but I finally found a counselor that I matched with really well and I've never felt better, and that's without medication. I hope you are able to find someone who can help you better than this guy!

Cheryl, I'm not dismissing what he said. I'm just processing it. It was kind of shocking to hear, after only 10 minutes, you know? I'm willing to go back a second time (in 2 weeks) and see what happens.

Uhhhh, new therapist.

Run. Don't walk.

I don't know enough to give advice but I do wonder about a snap diagnosis of a complicated problem.

I agree that the cell phone was unprofessional. Doesn't he have office staff to take his calls while he's with a patient? That was your time, not his.

Ok..I do not have OCD. I am bipolar. I have been diagnosed and rediagnosed several times. It always took more than 10 minutes. Always, was done with consideration and attention.
My mom is also a Licensed Counselor. She turns her cellphone OFF during sessions. I know she unreachable unless it is an emergency and then I might have to get someone to go knock on her door.
This is not a counselor you should see again. Please..I have seen psychiatrists who only medicate you and not a single one has ever cared more about me than my immediate symptoms. I know you will be careful and not just take what they say as the gospel truth. I just thought I'd offer an insight as someone who's been in the psych world for a long time.

I have had severe OCD half my life. I really really really know I shouldn't comment because I know nothing about you, so PLEASE don't take this as advice or anything...I'm just thinking that when I read about OCD symptoms, I knew straight away that was me. Like, hurray. Finally I find something that matches me in almost every single way. It was like a jigsaw puzzle slotted in place. I'm not sure what else to say here 'cause I don't want to post assvice. Arrghh! Sorry, I always have to post whenever someone talks about OCD, because it's one thing I know really really well.

Y I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you were for sure dismissing what he said. I thought that from what you said about his rude and unprofessional behavior and from what some of the other comments said about diagnosing someone in such a short time may influence you to throw the baby out with the bathwater. I just wanted to let you know that considering compulsive eating/overeating seems like something worth looking into. I'm a compulsiver overeater and I recognize the signs. My heart goes out to you and I really wish you the best with this. It's not an easy road but it is doable. I'm not only compulsive with food but with other things too....sometimes it's alcohol, the computer, reading...I'd be more than glad to give you any support that you would like, all ya have to do is email me. Google Compulsive Eating or Compulsive Overeating and see what you come up with. I'm so glad and proud that you went to a counselor. Acknowleding that there's a problem is the first step. Like I said, it won't always be easy, especially at first but with good support and as time goes by, it makes it very much worth it.

Jem, I feel that way too...I try not to give advice but when I see people posting about OCD, I put my two cents in because it's something I know about all too well (having to post about it...is that being compulsive? LOL) I too when trying to figure out what was wrong with me recognized myself when I came across some information about compulsive overeaters many many years ago. Isn't is comforting in some way to find there's a name for it and that it can be explained to some degree? And there's things that can be done about it. Makes me feel I'm not so crazy afterall.

Hum... I am a graduate psychology student and I can tell you that your placement supervisor doesn't give you bonus points if you answer your mobile while you're with a client. It's just a bit odd that any professional that you are paying for their time would do that frankly.



Also, the speedy diagnostic thingy isn't something you learn at uni either. Quite the opposite I should say. To a certain extend, for a psychologist, it may seem "confortable" to put the client in a little diagnostic box, but there is no such thing as "clinical understanding of a client's situation" after 10 questions. Diagnosis isn't about winning a bloody game of 20 questions!



Finally, as far as OCD goes, you have to understand that it is a two-part concept. You can either have obsessions (an irrational thought about something that just won't go away) and/or compulsions to "qualify" for OCD.

Here is what the diagnostic criterias for OCD has to say about compulsions:



"the behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive. "



Maybe looking into what is going through your mind while you eat could tell you more about whether this diagnostic fits or not. Because if not, it would not be a bad idea to search in the eating disorders department instead. OCD is part of the anxiety disorder family and its treatment is quite different from the one of an eating disorder.



Oh and also? One of the main component of the efficacy of a psychotherapy is the therapeutic relation that you have with the therapist. If you don't feel good around him, by all means, see somebody else!

See, WE are your therapists! My husband and I believe the best therapy is to go the pub and have a pint with your friends.
I would find a new guy, though, and get my money back from that visit!

I know the therapy thing inside and out (been a client, and had/have friends/family who are therapists), and methinks you need a new one. It's not at all unusual to have to "shop" for a therapist, though. Depending on where you are in the county, my sister-the-shrink could give you some good names. Lemme know. Oh, and the cell phone thing -- not cool. If he's got a client who's suicidal, so he has to take the call, he should at least take the call privately. Any other calls have to wait. The time belongs to you.

I'm not a professional therapist. I have been on various medications and been in therapy for most of my life. This guy, may not be the original DICKHEAD but he sure is another DICKHEAD. Please for the love of all things holy and therapeutic, find another one. OCD cannot be diagnosed in 10 minutes by someone on the phone. Fucker. Those drugs are serious and you need to make sure you have the right ones. The psychiatrist will give you whatever the therapist recommends and spend even less time with you so look some more. Try to find a LCSW, they are the BOMB! I'll get off my high horse now.

i am very excited that you took the first step for help. it is a HUGE step.

i am not up for giving advice or preaching ...i am speaking only of my experience. here goes:

there is NO excuse for him answering his phone during your session. NONE. when you call my therapist's office her v/m says "you have reached blah blah. if you need immediate assistance, go to your nearest emergency room or call the crisis hotline at 214-828-1000." (btw, you can use that number from anywhere!) she puts her phone on forward so it does not even ring during a session.

if i were to see him again i would most certainly call his shit OUT on that phone call business and tell him your concerns about his insta-diagnosis. in six years my therapist has not diagnosed me. my psychiatrist has... my therapist has not. she has offered me a loving place to explore myself.

and i know that i could not have seen a male therapist right away. i had SO many sexual assault experiences that i had to see a woman.

i hope that didn't sound like advice or preachy....check me if it did.

regardless of whether or not you have OCD, that doc is a punk and you need to find a new one. he should not have been answering his cell during your first meeting unless someone was dying, or about to die. what the hell kind of therapist doesn't even listen to their patient?!

I'd be well annoyed if a doc answered his phone while I was there - seems extremely unprofessional to me!

Why is it they love to label anyway? I know some therapists go with the motto "treat the patient not the problem" and that seems a far better way to handle things (to me, from my own experience).

I was labelled with borderline personality disorder at the age of 17! Which is a bit of a junk diagnosis anyway. It's like, "oh self-harm and a bit of a handful to deal with, we'll lump her in with all the rest of people we've labelled with BPD." Grr. And in fact, BPD is a label that can then send psychiatrists running in the other direction as we're all so 'difficult'.

Pah! Once I actually found a place and some people I could talk to (group therapy was what proved right for me, followed up by one to one therapy with a psychologist) I was able to start working through all the issues that were behind the behaviour, which is ultimately what's important and worked far better than any medication I was ever on.

I'm now 25 and much better able to deal with the things life throws at me :)

Well, just my $0.02 and just my own experience. You need to decide what is right for you and I wish you all the best in doing so.

Bad news? He answered his cellphone that was in his pocket during our session and actually had a conversation on it while I sat there trying to pretend not to listen.

ok, first of all... HEEEELLLLL NO. fuck that. I would have gotten up right that fucking second and told him to kiss my ass. that's so incredibly unprofessional. the most my therapist has EVER done is look at her pager and turn off her pager when it vibrates with a page. her phone is either off or silenced.

second of all, he hasn't take a damn bit of time to get to know you, your history, or ANYTHING. you need to get a different therapist, STAT. even if you have to wait a little while, get someone that actually gives a shit. personally, I prefer having a woman therapist. nothing against men or anything, but I just feel like she gets me better than a man ever could. she put me through a battery of tests before she ever suggested that I go on medication for ADD. and she also didn't tell me that I had to go to a psychiatrist for it. all she had to do was send a confidential fax to my medical doctor and my medical doctor and I chose what to put me on.

seriously, Yvonne, get a second opinion.

Y,
As a therapist (I work with kids, mostly), PLEASE find a new therapist. I know it's hard, and I know that there are ALOT of waiting lists. But someone who answers their phone during a session is completely unprofessional and I wouldn't trust his opinion or advice as far as I could throw it.

Ditto for the 10 minute diagnosis. You didn't do an assessment of any kind, or anything? And he just diagnoses you after 10 minutes??? Even if he just specifically asked the questions following the DSM (the book we use to diagnose) it should have taken longer. Liiikkee... a couple of sessions.

I agree with whoever said find an LCSW, but as an MSW working towards her LCSW, I'm a bit biased (that's Licensed Clinical Social Worker). We are the bomb. ;)

Good luck!

If my therapist ever answered his cell phone while we were in session and then proceeded to have a conversation, I would grab that phone and beat him on the head with it. Of course, I'd probably be diagnosed with some sort of behavioral rage, I think it wold be well worth it.

Get a new shrink.

Oh hell no! He DID NOT answer his phone! How rude is that? OMG. And he diagnosed you already? Unbelieveable. Definetly get a new shrink.

Congrats on getting all your shopping done!

Y-

I don't know if it would be helpful or not-but maybe when you go see Dickhead or whoever again-you could take printouts of some of your posts that you've written in the middle of some of your "angsts" to help them get a better perspective on how you're feeling. Might be easier than waiting for them to ask you the right questions or to get off the damn phone.

Sweetie,

I CALL BULLSHIT. As someone who is your friend and has spent countless hours talking to you, I seriously doubt it is OCD.

I haven't read the comments yet, so forgive if I'm saying the same thing everyone else it.

One option - report the counselor and ask for another one.

But I would choose the second option first. I'd tell him that I expect his full attention during your session, so no phone calls allowed. And then I'd ask him to see you at least 6 times before making a diagnosis. This accomplishes two things. One, he learns that you know your rights, and he can't get away with doing a shoddy job. And two, he gets to know you before making a diagnosis.

He may be a perfectly good therapist, but unhappy with his agency, so he's taking short-cuts. Set him straight and he will not only respect you, but you'll be helping him be a better therapist too.

Even if he's one of the "pay according to budget" places, you have a right to quality care.

I was a former counselor... I know this shit, and stuff that your therapist pulled? Chaps my ass.

Back again. I have more to say after reading the comments. Yea for your readers! They're smart!

I've been in and out of counseling for most of my adult life with childhood sexual abuse issues. Grief issues with the death of a baby. Codependency issues. You name it. And then I became a therapist myself. I'm not now because of my MS.

I recently went back to counseling because the MS kicked my emotional butt. The first one I found -

First appointment - she kept calling me the wrong name.

Second appointment - she answered the phone and stayed on the phone long enough for me to know it was her kid, needing her to bring her lunch to school cause she'd forgotten it. Mom chose my time to lecture her kid about being responsible.

Third appointment - she didn't have a office of her own yet, so had to find an empty office here or there. We were interupted 3 times by the person who really belonged to the office we were in.

Fourth appointment - she took me to the 'lunch room' which had 4 different entries, no doors, and other clients were able to walk in and out, getting snacks, doing kitchen chores, etc. I took one look and left, sputtering how unprofessional she was.

I called her agency to complain. She called me back and apologized, and asked for another chance. I said okay.

Fifth appointment - the reason she wanted a second chance was because she felt she could really help me learn to deal with a disability cause she herself has diabetes AND a bad ankle. I now know more about her than she does me, because the whole hour was spent on her problems. I zoned out and nodded in all the appropriate places.

The sixth appointment - she called to reschedule, it was all about her ankle, and she kept calling me by the wrong name again. I told her that I quit AND I was going to report her because she was so completely unprofessional on so many levels.

I know this is a long comment but I have a really important point to make.

As educated as I was about counseling, I put up with her for 6 appointments because... as a client who NEEDED help, I was at a loss to stand up for myself sooner. I was a suicidal basket case, and knew as long as I had an appointment, I'd hang on for another week, cause I keep my word. I knew hanging on was keeping me alive at that point. I was too vulnerable and weak to stand up for myself any sooner and just took it for 4 appointments too many.

As a therapist myself, I had always asked my clients to see me for at least 3 times, or to go to the support group at least 6 times before giving up.

I am normally a very stand up, in your face type of personality. But during that vulnerable time, I let myself be victimized by her, which created a vicious circle, making me feel worse about myself, which made me more suicidal, etc.

Luckily, my rage at her mistreatment kept me alive too. So I am rabid about rotten counselors, having experienced first hand how I, a normally aggressive, confrontational person, and with all my education in the field - became a weak, passive victim simply because of the state of mind I was all ready in. It's hard to stick up for yourself to a professional when you're in such a scared and hopeless place one is normally in, when one finally reaches for help.

The thing is - I KNEW she was a shithead, but I was too weak to stand up for myself, not thinking right, and I didn't have the ENERGY. I reported her because of the clients she might have who didn't know they had rights, or looked to her as gospel because they were so desparate for help. I ended up feeling worse about myself, thinking I wasn't worth even remembering my name, when the real thought should have been "She's too stupid to remember my name when it's right on the paperwork sitting in front of her face, so I need a new counselor". When we're in that state of mind, we take everything personal, rather than rationally, sometimes.

The other thing is that some agencies, who do the pay according to budget, are more concerned with quantity, rather than quality. It behooves them to have the therapists prescribe meds, so they can push the client out faster, in order to get more clients who may be able to pay more. These kind of agencies often have many who can't pay at all, and they have to make up the difference somewhere else. Alot of therapists start out at these places as their first job, and get burned out and disallusioned right off the bat and end up not being able to use their skills because of agency requirements.

Sorry this is so long. But I know about 2 things... counseling and kids cause I had a daycare for 7 years - I rarely comment, but when it's about therapists and behavior problems - I comment long and hard and loud!

And that sounds like good sex, huh?

I will just add a "ditto" on the therapist front. the hell?

That said have you see Old School - very end when they're rolling credits where Vince Vaughn gets thrown out coaching his son's soccer team, and he says to the ref, "What?! Then let's make it official then, jackass! Let's make it official," and throws a lawn chair before handing the clipboard and whistle off to his wife (incidentally played by Leah Remini) and telling her, "I'll be in the car."

I'm just saying, next time, "make it official". I mean, if you're gonna get tossed, go out with some flair.

the cell phone thing - completely rude and unprofessional

Did you fill out a long questionnaire before your visit?

I know I'm in the minority here but I went to counseling through a big HMO and I had to fill out a huge questionnaire first. The doc diagnosed me within minutes of talking to me and I was VERY skeptical, but I really wanted help so I read the books she recommended and attended the class/group sessions and it absolutely changed my life. She was 100% correct.

I sought counseling one other time and it was a completely different experience. First time I saw a pattern of behavior in myself that I didn't like. I knew I needed to learn different coping skills. We didn't do the touchy feely, let's talk about your issues stuff. I took the class and learned what I needed to learn.

Second time I was depressed because of a life changing problem. Different doc and different approach. It was much more like the typical sessions on tv where you discuss your problems etc. Again, it was another life changing experience and it was perfect for what I needed then.

Both visits and both doc's were through the same HMO. Very different experiences, but both ended up being completely appropriate for what I was going through.

Did he give you homework? Try it and see if it fits. Read up on the topic. If his unprofessional behavior continues and/or you do not feel that he was even close in his diagnosis, then you may have to try again for a different doc.

The thing I found most interesting about the experiences was how much time, effort and work it was!! Therapy isn't easy, but it can be very valuable if you're willing to learn.

Y,

I am actually studying Counseling Psych. In hopes of becoming a bad ass therapist.

That being said,

Two words: New Therapist.

This one is wacked!! Hello? NEVER, NEVER answer the phone, email, door...anything when you have a client in your office. What the hell is wrong with that man!!???
Another thing they taught us was you don't straight up say, "You have OCD." It takes more than 10 questions. If, you are a good therapist which he ...is not! You get to know your client better (build rapport.) Cause like you said, "Do you have mood swings" (Um, who doesn't have mood swings?) and "Are you irritable?" (I have THREE KIDS, what do YOU think? OF COURSE I'M IRRITABLE.)

Word.

That man is an idiot. Run away!

Yeah, that guy was just pushing you out the door. Bastard.

Thanks for making me laugh at the bean dip comment. I've blamed my kids for it too. You know what's really helpful? When you have a child in a diaper, you can say, "Do you need your diaper changed?" It's not helpful when your two year old can talk really well and says, "No. Mama toot!"

Um, no therapist should give you a diagnosis after 10 minutes, and definitely shouldn't want to put you on drugs like that so quickly. If you had OCD, you'd be locking your door 15 times every time you walked outside and doing things like that. But he/she should take the time to get to know you and have a few sessions before getting a diagnosis.

And he CERTAINLY shouldn't be taking personal calls while you're in there! You're paying for his time with YOU not to talk to his buddy!