From the Guidelines
I strongly recommend that you continue with psychiatric care separately, while I address your medical needs, to ensure comprehensive care that addresses both your physical and mental health needs. As your primary care physician at Mount Carmel, I appreciate your openness about your experiences and your desire to transfer care from Syntero. I will request your records from Syntero to ensure continuity of care, though I understand your concerns about previous diagnoses, such as "mania" which may have been misunderstood as symptoms rather than your described experiences of channeling intense creative and spiritual energy 1. It's essential to recognize that mental health and medical care are interconnected, and addressing one aspect without considering the other can lead to incomplete care. The American Society of Clinical Oncology guideline update on managing anxiety and depression in adult survivors of cancer emphasizes the importance of screening for emotional distress and symptoms of anxiety from the point of diagnosis onward, using valid and reliable tools such as the GAD-7 scale 1. Given your history and experiences, I believe it's crucial to have a collaborative approach between primary care and specialized mental health services. This will enable us to provide the most effective overall care, addressing any potential anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and ensuring that your spiritual beliefs and experiences are respected and considered in your care plan. I can help coordinate a referral to a psychiatrist within our network who can work with you on medication management if needed, and I recommend that you bring any current medications to your next appointment so we can review them together. By working together and prioritizing both your medical and mental health needs, I am confident that we can provide you with the comprehensive care and support necessary to help you achieve your goals and improve your overall quality of life.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Patient Referral to Psychiatry
- The patient is being referred to psychiatry for further evaluation and treatment, while medical needs will be handled separately.
- It is essential to note that the patient has had previous experiences with psychiatric care at Syntero in Dublin, but they feel that their needs were not met and that they were mislabeled with certain diagnoses 2.
Previous Diagnoses and Experiences
- The patient reports being labeled with "mania" during times when they were experiencing intense creative and spiritual energy, which they believe was misunderstood by their previous caregivers.
- They also mention being a psychic, medium, energy reader, and someone who speaks in tongues, and that these experiences were seen as symptoms rather than gifts 3.
- The patient feels that their previous caregivers did not understand their spiritual connections and experiences, leading to incorrect diagnoses and treatment plans.
Transfer of Care to Mount Carmel
- The patient is requesting to transfer their care to Mount Carmel and discontinue their relationship with Syntero.
- They are seeking a fresh start and a more comprehensive understanding of their needs, which they feel were not met at their previous care provider 4.
- The patient is committed to their healing and growth and is looking for a supportive and non-judgmental environment to achieve their goals.
Importance of Collaborative Treatment Planning
- Collaborative treatment planning is essential in mental health care, especially for patients with complex needs like the one described 5.
- A comprehensive treatment plan should involve all stakeholders, including the patient, caregivers, and family members, to ensure that the patient's needs are met and that they receive the best possible care.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in improving negative symptoms and functioning in patients with schizophrenia and other mental health conditions 6.