I’m so angry at the lack of access to mental health care in Ontario (Canada). I’m struggling.
First, as I don’t have psychosis and was never hospitalized, I don’t have a psychiatrist in Canada that sees me/follows my case. I did see a psychiatrist here as a consultation to confirm bipolar diagnosis and send treatment recommendations to my family doctor. My family doctor then is the one treating me. Even though she herself has stated that she is not a psychiatrist and feels insecure treating bipolar.
So I got a psychiatrist in my mother’s home country in south america who is fantastic and internationally recognized on the treatment of bipolar. But she can’t prescribe in Canada of course. So I usually bring the prescription recommendation to my family doctor and my family doctor prescribes it (my doctor is from the same country, but has been in Canada for the past decade, so she trusts this doctor)
Well, now I’m having a mixed episode and reached out to my psychiatrist. First we tried to increase lithium, it did not work! She reinforced that it’s urgent that I add an antipsychotic as lithium is not covering it alone, as well as increase sleeping aid (I have been sleeping 2-4hrs a night). She told me how crucial for me to get this prescription asap.
I called my family doctor and told the secretary that this is getting to an emergency. Well, I got a consultation for 3 months from now! That was the only thing available.
THREE MONTHS for an acute episode!
I asked the secretary to at least give my doctor the message about how I need that prescription. It’s been 48h and I haven’t heard back. It’s going to be a weekend so I don’t expect to hear anytime soon.
I’m so angry and sad and desperate. I feel it takes everything out of me to ask for help, and when I do, I don’t have it!
And honestly? I at least have access to professionals abroad that talk to me/help me go through the despair. I don’t know how other canadians deal with their mental health crisis :( not to mention people without a family doctor!
And then they think we are ready to offer euthanasia for mental illness 🤦♀️ (not against it, but ffs how can we get to MAID if people don’t have access to an actual care for their mental health?)
Anyway, I’m feeling hopeless and this stress is adding fuel to my episode. I’m also a bit worked up so I’m scared I will pick a fight with my doctor’s team. It’s not their fault. I know they are doing what they can. I’m just lost.