Rutgers University Press Finding the Right Psychiatrist: A Guide for Discerning Consumers

Choosing a psychiatrist is complicated. If a person doesn’t know what to look for and the questions to ask, finding the right psychiatrist can be daunting. The goal is to find one who, while remaining a competent physician, is as comfortable and capable working with problems of the mind as he or she is prescribing psychiatric medications.Combining over forty years of experience as a practicing psychiatrist with an insider’s perspective of current psychiatric practice, Dr. Robert Taylor provides invaluable guidance to persons considering psychiatric treatment or contemplating a change of doctor in an effort to find better treatment.  Cautioning readers against settling for a psychiatrist who views psychodrugs as the treatment, Dr. Taylor provides specific suggestions for avoiding the growing number of psychiatrists who write scripts automatically.In recent decades, psychiatric care has been overly reliant on psychodrugs. Patient diagnoses are being seriously questioned.  Finding the Right Psychiatrist encourages people to seek care from a complete psychiatrist—one able and willing to pursue matters of mind and brain/body, rather than settling on psychodrugs as the main treatment.Throughout the book, readers learn about the proper uses and limits of psychiatric diagnosis. Dr. Taylor carefully outlines an individualized approach to psychiatric care guided more by a patient’s particular problems and situation than by diagnoses that often mislead more than help. He provides a realistic appraisal of psychiatric medications: what they can and cannot do as well, a discussion of mind work tools, traits of effective psychiatrists, suggestions for how to deal with common insurance company obstacles, and an explanation of the confusing politics of psychiatry.An indispensable resource for anyone seeking psychiatric help or tasked with advising someone of what to look for in a doctor, Finding the Right Psychiatrist gives hope and guidance to those searching for complete and personalized care. Review "An instructive, easy-to-read, insider's view of what to look for in a good psychiatrist and how to avoid an overreliance on diagnoses and psychodrugs that loses your mind."--Mark Ragins, M.D. "Psychiatrist, Mental Health America of Los Angeles - Village""Dr. Taylor's book bursts at the seams with insights, study results, and clearheaded explanations. If you are thinking of seeing a psychiatrist, there is no better guide on the market."--Daniel Carlat "assoc. clinical professor of psychiatry, Tufts School of Medicine""Dr. Taylor's insightful analysis of how modern mental health care has become a compartmentalized splintered system is a knowledgeable resource for patients and professionals in the challenging times ahead."--Patrick L. Wayne "Consumer Advocate, Community Outreach Specialist, State of Montana""I can recommend it with enthusiasm. It reads very well as a user-friendly, comfortable, wise friend talking to you. This is one of its greatest strengths. Also, there are many strong and useful sections, especially ADHD, depression, alternate drugs, understanding personality, useful techniques in psychotherapy, windows into the mind. Practical, reader-friendly features such as a 'questions and answers, ' section, and a guide to helpful websites, are very helpful. The author is very credible based on his broad experience."--Fuller Torrey, M.D. "The Stanley Medical Research Institute""Provides plethora of insights in a teaching modality, helping understand strengths and weaknesses of American psychiatry. A much needed resource to educate the public about misdiagnosis and overuse of drugs."--Suzon Kemp "Mental Health Association of Texas Board Member (ret.)""Taylor concluded that someone with a troubled mental life has a slim chance of finding a competent psychiatrist. He is lucid and fearless in guiding prospective patients."--Robert Whitaker "author of Anatomy of an Epidemic""Taylor delineates what's wrong wit