Bonnie and Lactnetters,
I think that it is great that there is an increased awareness of post partum
depressions and obessive compulsive disorder. It is often the lactation
consultant, who spends a good length of time with a new mother that realizes
the mother is having a problem. It is important to know how and when to
refer.
I did find your "world of psychology" to be inaccurate for the area where I
live, and I hope for other areas as well. For those of you who get confused,
psychiatrists are MDs-and yes they are real medical doctors who can do look
in ears and check throats, etc etc. It may be the psychiatrist who diagnoses
a medical problem which is causing psychiatric manifestations. Psychologists
are not MDs, usually if they are clinical psychologists doing therapy they
have their doctorates. There are many other people with various educational
backgrounds who do various kinds of therapy and counseling.  There are
psychiatrists who do Fredian psychoanalysis, some do other modes of therapy,
most do not limit themselves to one method, some do. But there are
psychiatrists who do more than diagnose and write out prescriptions, who
actually do therapy: most believe that the two should go hand in hand.
Sadly what you describe-the psychiatrist just writing out the paper for the
pill- is becoming more common. Perhaps it is due to the time involved in
therapy with the low monetary return (psychiatrists are on the bottom of the
medical heap when it comes to fees for time spent and for insurance
reimbursement). However there are psychiatrists who take the time to listen.
Some even have a copy of Tom Hale's book in their office and give their
patients their home phone number!
Off my soap box now,
Diana
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