I did my first post in a different section and did not receive a reply. How does this work? What are the codes? My husband and I have been going to a doctor of psycology for 5 months now. The doctor has a real estate sideline, so 2 weeks ago, the doctor's wife called by husband to ask for a quick money loan for one of their deals. I suggested this would cause a conflict of interest with our counselling - am I right? My husband had an affair with a stripper (!) last year, gambles and has a drinking problem (his standardized tests also show depression). The doctor is unwiling to prescribe any medications and says it's ok if he has 1-2 drinks (leads to 12 drinks!). What to do?

The doctor has a real estate sideline, so 2 weeks ago, the doctor's wife called by husband to ask for a quick money loan for one of their deals.
Immediately quit going to this guy. Seriously.
How does his wife know your husband and where did she get his number?
Aren't you guys giving him enough of your money (through the counseling)?

has a drinking problem (his standardized tests also show depression). The doctor is unwiling to prescribe any medications and says it's ok if he has 1-2 drinks (leads to 12 drinks!).
Psychologists cannot prescribe medications. A psychiatrist can.
But regardless, alcohol is a depressant and depressed people should not drink alcohol. (another reason for you get a new shrink).

What standardized tests? Is this something he was given by the Dr. or just an "internet" thingy or something out of a magazine/book?

Read the links below.

<small>[ June 29, 2004, 03:49 PM: Message edited by: Chris -CA123 ]</small>

Jannie,

Yes- that is a complete conflict of interest, whether the wife called or not it's still thru the Dr's real estate business. Correct?

As far as the good Dr goes, did he give you and the H a good reason as to why he didn't perscribe a medication?

I go to a IC/MC that works with a Dr to do an initial evaluation and perscribe meds if he feels its necessary.

At the very first meeting, the Dr gave a long explanation of depression. The short of it is that depression is progressive. Meaning the longer it goes untreated the more difficult it is to treat.

He also said the if someone has already had one or more periods or episodes of depression during their lives whether treated or not, it makes the subsequent episode more difficult to treat.

He even said that if someone has multiple episodes that have gone untreated it's possible that they would need to be on AD's forever.

Needless to say the alcohol doesn't help at all. Like gasoline on a fire. The Dr asked me about my drinking habits and said that although he didn't think I was an alcoholic he did think that do to my W's A I was starting to self medicate with it. He suggested I quit at least until the aftershocks of the A lessened.

Now that I haven't drank in nearly 4 months, I really have no intention of starting again.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">says it's ok if he has 1-2 drinks (leads to 12 drinks!). </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Most doctors would say that 1-2 drinks daily or every other day falls generally within acceptable guidlines unless there is unusual behavior accompanying it ie hiding the alcohol. Does the Dr. know that the 1-2 drinks leeds to a mini-binge of 12? How often does that occur?

Also forgot to ask are you the BS or the FWW?

Are there any other MD/psych choices in your local community?

cwmac

She is a bs (betrayed spouse). She wrote, "My husband had an affair with a stripper (!) last year"

Also, she wrote, "My husband and I have been going to a doctor of psycology "
Psychologists cannot prescribe medication.
Psychiatrists can.

This person that is supposedly paid to help you has crossed way over the line for a professional. I would run away as fast as you can. Find a different therapist asap.

This "phycholigist" needs to be reported ASAP to which ever board he is certified through. If he is certified, which I doubt. Sounds like a major money scam to me and at the very least is a huge no no.

Sorry for the confusion, the doctor's business cards say PhD in Clinical & Counseling Psychology (still confused?!). His wife helps him in his practice, so when they needed the short term money loan, the doctor called by husband, then quickly put his wife on the phone. The doctor knows my husband does real estate investing and either could loan the money or refer to a hard money lender - in the end, they found from another source, but to me, my trust in him is broken, as he has this repore with my husband in real estate (they speak about it at almost every session)! I didn't think much of it at first, until the phone call & I have not been back there, but my husband wants to continue with him. The written standardized tests were given to us by him after our initial consultation. Husband's tests showed depression and some other areas in not-normal ranges. Mine showed some not-normal in mania/hysterial? Dr. says partly in my reaction to husband's cheating, gambling, drinking, lies, secrets, etc. Husband makes promises and then breaks all the time. The 2 times I know of that he drank last month, he got drunk and abusive towards me. The doctor knows this & says, "well, it would be better if he didn't drink, but at least stop at 1 or 2" I said, he can't stop at 1 or 2; I wish he could. So far this month, no drinks, but his adult single son lives in town & encourages bad behavior. Should I check the doctor's license or? Thanks so far for the encouragement.

Jannie,
I read your post to fast.

Psychologists are PhDs and can't perscribe meds.

Psychiatrists are MDs whos specialize in mental health. They can perscribe meds.

cwmac

Unfortunately, my husband will only go to this therapist now, no one else, even Marriage Builders, as I suggested. My husband and the therapist are buddies and talk about real estate, construction, etc. all the time. My husband told the therapist I would not go back to him, as I felt this was a big conflict of interest and that the therapist is biased towards my husband. Of course, the therapist says my husband has made lots of progress and I have not! He will sure miss the $300/session, unless my husband decides to go there alone. By the way, most times when my husband drinks, he gets drunk, not 100% of the time. We had friends visit at the end of April & he only had a few drinks, but then in May, the 2 times he drank, he got drunk & was very abusive to me (can give details, if anyone wants to know). My husband wants to retake the standardized tests (MIPI?)and see if our results have changed yet.