Hernandez-Butcher

Take a pill is the motto and if it doesn't work...try a different pill. The doctor does not discuss personal habits that can affect mood....sleep patterns, exercise, eating. Nor does he try less invasive approaches to management of behaviors and emotions. My 18 year old was referred to this doctor by a counselor after less than 2 hours of counseling (thanks for the efforts) and diagnosis was made by the counselor and this Harvard trained doctor by means of a questionaire...like in a women's magazine..."Bipolar? Find out!" Psychiatry involves no personal involvement and is a road for drug companies to peddle their drugs...it is a disgrace. Also, if a parent is responsible for paying bills for an adult child, the parent should be made aware of late fee policies.

My 18 year old son was 'diagnosed' with bipolar disorder after spending less than 2 hours total with this doctor and the counselor who referred him. The diagnosis is based on a questionaire...like something from a women's magazine! The main goal is to MEDICATE as soon as possible. There was never any guidance about sleep patterns, exercise, and healthy eating in regard to feeling good. There was never any guidance regarding natural feelings of depression during the teen years. Instead, my son was told that he would be on medication for the rest of his life. I find this rush to medicate irresponsible and reprehensible. Another indication that medicine today is about the drug companies...do I hear 'kickback'? The doctor put my son on 2 medications that made things MUCH worse. The only good thing that came out of this is that my son thinks that counselors and psychiatrists are quacks and he is doing much better on his own. What happened to getting to know a patient and trying other, rational avenues before medicating? How about journaling? At 18, how about trying some self-control strategies? No...that would take work...just medicate.