Good psychiatrist in Galway

go to your gp and ask to be referred to the mental health unit in the hospital. They have a day hospital in ballybane in which they run clinics.
The downside is it might take months because of the chronic underfunding and cuybacks.

softmee wrote: »

I think i am depressed and i need to see some good psychiatrist. Psychologist wont help me as i know what my problems are and dont need anybody to analyse me.
Does anybody know a good psychiatrist in Galway? Do i need request from my GP and how much does it cost?
This weather does not help.
Thanks

Softmee, fair play to you for knowing what you need. Your post is very clear: you are NOT seeking recommendations for a psychologist, NOR the Personal Issues forum, NOR a GP, but a psychiatrist.

I don't know any psychiatrist, but I hope that someone here will be able to recommend you one, whether on this forum, or by PM (private message). If you fail to get any recommendation for a good psychiatrist, then the best thing would be to go to a good GP (recommendations exist for them on this forum, but this is the first thread I've seen seeking recommendations for a psychiatrist). As far as I know, you cannot see a psychiatrist without getting a letter of recommendation from a GP. So, to see a psychiatrist, I thing you'll have to pay the cost of a GP visit, plus the cost of a consultation with a psychiatrist. A consultation of 20 minutes with a gynaecologist would cost maybe 100 euro, so that might give you some rough idea of the cost of the psychiatrist.

All the best with it.

The public system takes a couple of months (not sure on the exact waiting times) to get into but you can see a psychiatrist for free.

You probably won't have much control over who it is you see though.

softmee wrote: »

Looks like poor people cant be healthy at these times... 100 for 20 min visit is immoral! :rolleyes: Thanks for understanding me doubleglaze.

If you are working, you can claim some part of what you paid against your tax using a Med 1 form.

Having had a positive experience with a psychologist and a negative one wit a psychiatrist, can I suggest that you be open about your options? A cognitive behavioural psychologist helped me come to terms with some things that happened to me a long time ago that caused me to spend most of my twenties and some of my thirties living with a big black cloud over my head. The psychiatrist was more of a doctor, and just kept giving me a repeat prescription. That was my experience at the time, and everything started to go right for me once I started on the cognitive behavioural therapy. Best of luck to you.......

I wouldn't completely discount a psychologist. Very few mental health problems can be dealt with by simply just getting some pills. As others have said I think going to your GP is the best option. Good luck with it!

Sounds like you had a bad experience with psychology yourself, OP! Best of luck with it.

Also it's worth noting that types of psychotherapy can have exactly the same physiological effects as medication. For an interesting read about neuroplasticity I recommend The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge.

Again, best of luck with it and I hope it works out for you!

LawnMower Man wrote: »

GP can prescribe anti depression meds , psychiatrist etc will just take a load of money off you and prescribe similar meds.

have you any direct experience to back this broad broadside or just a general bias based on third party hearsay?

softmee wrote: »

I still know nothing and i dont belive nobody was ever depressed and seeked for help.

Well, you're wrong there for a start.

But it has been MY experience that pills only do so much and seem to mask the problem more than treat it.

I would have liked to have gone for therapy at the time but was put off by others' experiences of the Irish system tbh.

Hi softmee, you have four options. I work as a doc in this area.

1. Discuss your symptoms with your GP. GPs are trained to treat mild to moderate mental illness - the hospital specialists would be flooded otherwise.

You probably need medication if your mood is PERSISTENTLY and PERVASIVELY (ie infects all parts of your life) low for more than a couple of weeks with marked problems with sleep, appetite, energy, sex drive, concentration, interest, enjoyment. There may be thoughts of life not being worth going on with or overt suicidal thoughts.

You seem to know where you are at and you seem clear that you need meds. I would just say that you only need medication if you have the "biological" symptoms outlined above which almost always accompany the low mood. You are right - when depression reaches a certain point talking therapies alone can do little to alleviate the distress. However, I would say not to rule it entirely - research has shown that the best outcomes are for a combination of meds and talking therapies. There are psychologists and counsellors attached to the Psych Unit. GPs unfortunately rarely have direct access to them (unlike the UK).

2. Attend your GP with a view to obtaining an appointment in outpatients in the Psych Unit at the hospital. As other posters have said this can take a few months (REMEMBER YOUR GP CAN TREAT YOU DURING THIS TIME) and it's likely you would be initially seen by a junior doctor in an often busy outpatient clinic. That doctor would take a full history and would (hopefully) discuss your case with the Consultant before initiating treatment. At least it's free.

The 4 Consultants in the Unit are Prof Colm MacDonald, Laura Mannion, Sheila O' Sullivan and Elisabeth Walsh. I'm obviously biased but all are experienced, enthusiastic and competent. Psychiatrists should be the doctors with the best manner with people and most have a neccesary sense of realism (and humour).

3. If you really don't feel well or don't want to be treated by a GP, ask them for a referral letter to UCHG A+E or else just go there yourself with no letter (frowned on a bit). The on-call Psych junior doc will assess you and will often arrange for a prompt follow up appointment in a clinic or Day Hospital. I'm a bit out of touch but I think there is a hefty fee for A+E these days. (Other posters - do you have to bring cash ??!)

4. Make an appointment with the private Consultants that the were helpfully listed above. You should check the fee first. The advantage is no delay in being seen, you should have longer sessions with them and you should have their mobile number if you run into problems.

Money shouldn't make a difference but in this brutal and grossly unfair world it does.

It's often a thing that fades markedly in depression - but try to keep hopeful. You are taking the right step in seeking help. It's remarkably common - although not spoken about much - and most people recover. You are probably sick of hearing the obvious but looking after the basic boring things will help your recovery - diet / exercise / routine / keeping up social contacts with family and friends / avoiding mood altering substances / meditaion helps some

Good luck on your journey.

Deleted User wrote: »

Well if this is how you're going to respond when someone offers their help, then what exactly is the point in asking whatsoever? You're completely unwilling to accept help. If it's a doctor you're looking for, then do a search on this forum - it's been asked many many times.

She has stated she does not want to see a Psychologist. She has stated this. She didn't ask for advice to go onot the issues forum she asked for a good Psychiatrist where she can get the right medication.
And you do not know her exact issue, she could be depressed, bipolar..you are not a doctor you are just someone on a chat page.