I’m hoping someone here might be able to recommend a really good psychiatrist for my partner, who’s active-duty military.
He’s been going through a serious mental health crisis over the past couple of months, involving severe anxiety, depression, some difficult physical symptoms, and trouble finding medications that help without causing other problems. It’s been an incredibly difficult time for him.
He’s been receiving psychiatric care through the military. The problem is that as he moves between programs and clinics, he keeps having to start over with a new psychiatrist. Continuity of care has been difficult to achieve and there’s a tendency to try to hand responsibility for him off (counselor to primary care, primary care to psych, psych to ER) rather than any one person assume responsibility for his case over the long term. So the responsibility ultimately falls to me.
While most providers have been well-meaning, at times I wonder if relying solely on the military healthcare system might be part of the issue. I’m really hoping to find someone who can get to know him and his history, follow him over the long term, and take the time to work through a complicated case.
I’m specifically looking for an experienced psychiatrist (MD or DO), rather than a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Ideally someone who is very knowledgeable, thoughtful about diagnosis and medication management, and willing to reconsider their approach when something isn’t working. Just as importantly, we need someone who can see him regularly and be reasonably accessible when things get difficult.
I’m open to private practices as well as hospital-affiliated psychiatrists. Annapolis would be ideal, but Baltimore, Columbia, DC, or elsewhere within a reasonable drive would be fine for the right person. We’re fully willing to pay out of pocket.
If you’ve had a particularly good experience with a psychiatrist, either personally or through someone close to you, I’d really appreciate hearing about it. I’m especially interested in what made you feel they were a good doctor, beyond just being friendly or easy to get an appointment with.
I know there are plenty of psychiatrists around, but I’m really trying to find someone exceptional who can give a complicated case the attention it deserves. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.