Treatment in Seattle area for bipolar disorder
October 12, 2018 3:09 PM Subscribe
My 41-year-old son has been undergoing treatment for bipolar disorder for the past year. The meds seem to have stopped working, but his psychiatrist won't prescribe newer meds. He has become physically and verbally abusive with his wife and child. He has taken himself out of the house and wants treatment. He needs a proper evaluation and possibly inpatient treatment. Does anyone know of good docs or places in the Seattle area?
Response by poster: I should have mentioned that situation is stable and doesn't require an ER, although we won't rule it out.
posted by Skaffen-Amtiskaw at 4:59 PM on October 12, 2018
posted by Skaffen-Amtiskaw at 4:59 PM on October 12, 2018
ERs are usually the best option to get into treatment in a swift fashion, even if the patient isn't in full on crisis, it is just one way to bypass the generally long waits for finding psychiatric care. I know many, many people who have gone this route, and generally people are referred to partial inpatient treatment facilities, where they spend the whole day and go home in the evening.
posted by momochan at 6:38 PM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by momochan at 6:38 PM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
As an emergency physician who deals with psychiatric patients on the daily, I strongly disagree with the above advice. Do NOT go to an emergency department unless you require emergency psychiatric stabilization care, which is intended for those who are at imminent risk of physically harming themselves or others (due to acute psychosis, suicidality, homcidality, etc.). If you are found not to have a psychiatric emergency, you will most likely be bounced out of the ED with outpatient referrals after spending 7 hours in a paper gown and having $1200 in unnecessary screening lab testing done.
There are lots of other ways to get into intensive psychiatric care. You can obtain another psychiatric referral from your PCP. Many communities around the country have walk-in CSBs where you can get psychiatric care without an appointment, and which can also refer you for inpatient treatment if necessary. You can even call local inpatient facilities for intake on your own, cutting out the middleman.
Good luck and apologies for how shitty our system is for those in psychiatric crisis.
posted by killdevil at 7:41 PM on October 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
There are lots of other ways to get into intensive psychiatric care. You can obtain another psychiatric referral from your PCP. Many communities around the country have walk-in CSBs where you can get psychiatric care without an appointment, and which can also refer you for inpatient treatment if necessary. You can even call local inpatient facilities for intake on your own, cutting out the middleman.
Good luck and apologies for how shitty our system is for those in psychiatric crisis.
posted by killdevil at 7:41 PM on October 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
I'm in Seattle. A couple of different options:
1. If he is on Medicaid, Sound Mental Health has walk on hours: https://www.sound.health/access-smh-services/#walk-in.
2. If he has private insurance, it may be worth it to call them, tell them his story, and see what they recommend. They may be able to pull some strings to get an appointment, quickly. I had a dial-a-nurse get me in to see a GP within 24 hours once, because I was having appetite problems.
3. If he feels like he needs to see someone urgently, Kaiser-Permanente on 16th and John has an Urgent Care Clinic that's 24/7. They handle Psychiatric cases as well, will see you even if you don't have Kaiser insurance, and is much less expensive than an ER. However, I don't know if they have an in-patient facility at Kaiser. But, they may be able to find a spot somewhere if they deem it necessary.
4. If they identify as LGBTQ *at all*, Seattle Counseling Service has both counselors and a Psychiatrist. I don't know how quickly he could see the doctor, though. They also have support groups, and other resources. SCS: http://www.seattlecounseling.org/.
posted by spinifex23 at 10:24 PM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
1. If he is on Medicaid, Sound Mental Health has walk on hours: https://www.sound.health/access-smh-services/#walk-in.
2. If he has private insurance, it may be worth it to call them, tell them his story, and see what they recommend. They may be able to pull some strings to get an appointment, quickly. I had a dial-a-nurse get me in to see a GP within 24 hours once, because I was having appetite problems.
3. If he feels like he needs to see someone urgently, Kaiser-Permanente on 16th and John has an Urgent Care Clinic that's 24/7. They handle Psychiatric cases as well, will see you even if you don't have Kaiser insurance, and is much less expensive than an ER. However, I don't know if they have an in-patient facility at Kaiser. But, they may be able to find a spot somewhere if they deem it necessary.
4. If they identify as LGBTQ *at all*, Seattle Counseling Service has both counselors and a Psychiatrist. I don't know how quickly he could see the doctor, though. They also have support groups, and other resources. SCS: http://www.seattlecounseling.org/.
posted by spinifex23 at 10:24 PM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
Is it possible he did not make clear to his psychiatrist how bad things have gotten?
If not, have him call his prescribing doctor immediately, because no doubt the doctor wants to know things are this bad and can help.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 7:47 AM on October 13, 2018
If not, have him call his prescribing doctor immediately, because no doubt the doctor wants to know things are this bad and can help.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 7:47 AM on October 13, 2018
this place has done well by me:
https://www.psychiatricmedicine.com/
--monk
posted by evilmonk at 9:31 PM on October 13, 2018
https://www.psychiatricmedicine.com/
--monk
posted by evilmonk at 9:31 PM on October 13, 2018
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posted by AlexiaSky at 3:27 PM on October 12, 2018