Do you perfer a male or female psychiatrist?!


Question: I worked in mental health since 1987 and it's okay to have a preference for a male or female psychiatrist as long as the preference isn't likely to cause some kind of inappropriate behavior, and as long as the provider is able to accomodate with the request.

For example, if a male patient has a history of making sexual comments to female mental health professionals, his request to have a female doctor will probably be denied.

It may also depend on the agency doing the treatment if they are able to accomodate the request. For example, a hospital I used to work for had all foreign psychiatrists and some patients would say "I want to see an American psychitarist." It was not possible because we didn't have any.

I have also been treated for depression and anxiety since 1983 and I have had both male and female psychiatrists. It never made any difference to me, but I do understand why it might matter for some people.


Answers: I worked in mental health since 1987 and it's okay to have a preference for a male or female psychiatrist as long as the preference isn't likely to cause some kind of inappropriate behavior, and as long as the provider is able to accomodate with the request.

For example, if a male patient has a history of making sexual comments to female mental health professionals, his request to have a female doctor will probably be denied.

It may also depend on the agency doing the treatment if they are able to accomodate the request. For example, a hospital I used to work for had all foreign psychiatrists and some patients would say "I want to see an American psychitarist." It was not possible because we didn't have any.

I have also been treated for depression and anxiety since 1983 and I have had both male and female psychiatrists. It never made any difference to me, but I do understand why it might matter for some people.

I think if I needed one, I would prefer to speak to a woman.

Neither.

Depends what I want to talk about, if I'm angry I'd rather talk it over with a man, a woman may not always understand.

But if I'm in need of someone to comfort me I'd prefer a woman.

sigmund freud was a man!

Lady.
iv had 4 male ones nd i just don't connect as well as ii do to a female

My psychiatrist is a woman, so are my primary care physician and counselor.
I feel more at ease and I can talk about anything to all of them.

Women Tend to be better in understanding your problem's
(Or Atleast they act like they do)
so id prefer a female psychiatrist

I really think it depends on the person and what kind of problems you are dealing with. As a guy, I think you probably find female psychiatrists more understanding. Women to me just want to seem to dig and dig and dig. I like the one I have now. I've had anxiety attacks for years and finally found a male psychiatrist who gave me no BS and has kept me on a low dose of meds that have helped me tremendously. I don't ask him a lot of questions, and he's pretty much got me figured out and it's a win-win situation.

You can request a female psychiatrist if you would feel more at ease with a woman.
I was a mental health nurse for twenty years and I geuss I would be 50/50 on this one. I worked with lots of excellent female doctors, but just being female didn't make for a good doctor. I also worked with some excellent male doctors. It all depends on their treatment philosophy, and whether that 'fits' with how you want to be treated. Some patients really believe that medication will cure them, so they are happy with the medical model. Other people want more of a therapeutic approach so feel better with a psych. who really believes in the value of psychological and social therapy. These things are not gender specific although women to tend to be more inclusive.

They're both going to use CBT on you and then attempt to stuff you full of medication... so, unfortunately, I don't think that male/female makes any difference.

I've been seeing mental health professionals for about 25 years. I personally do a lot better with females (I'm male). We're all different, but, for me, it is easier to open up and share feelings with a woman. It's not a sexual attraction thing, it's just how I communicate most comfortably.

By all means, it's OK to ask for a female if you feel that a female would be able to help the most.

I feel the same way.





The consumer health information on answer-health.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007-2011 answer-health.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

Health Categories