It is common in the psychiatric field to prescribe more than one medicine at a time, but I am always a little suspicious of psychiatrists that slap too many prescriptions down on the first visit. (I'm talking about 3-4 meds). I do believe a lot of them overmedicate their patients. You want to get well, not be in a zombie mode!
I had a wonderful doctor at my previous address who was a firm believer in having a patient take only one medicine at a time. Why? This is how he explained it to me.
He said that if he started me on more than one and I had problems with side effects, he would not be able to determine which one was causing the problem. He always had me get "settled" with one medication before adding another one, if needed.
I will back up and say that when I first saw him, it was on an emergency basis---and I was in terrible shape. He did start me on an AD---and gave me a prescription for a benzo for the panic attacks I was having. But the benzo prescription was a temporary thing---to help me through an extremely difficult time---and he said from DAY ONE, that it was only for a short period. (I hadn't slept in days!!!) After I got some sleep and the AD kicked in, he helped me cut that back until I gradually weaned myself off of it.
I don't know if I've totally confused you or not. Prescribing 2 meds together is very common in psychiatry. But I'd just be leary of someone who wanted to slap 3-4 on you the minute you walk in the door.
Everyone is different. Depending on your diagnosis, you may eventually need more than one med. You will just have to see what this doctor says, and no, you don't have to take anything you don't want to. It never hurts to get a 2nd opinion (or a 3rd).
Good luck, sweetie! I hope this isn't causing you more stress! You'll be fine. I'm glad to hear you're taking your husband along. I think that's great. Mine went with me on the first visit---and it sure helped me. I could never remember everything the doctor said, and he helped me sort through it when we got home.
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Ruchie---take it slowly
