Listen to Your Patients

20mg
The on-call psychiatrist says it’s not the meds
telling me I should walk the tracks at night. Should I hide the bottle
of floor cleaner? The on-call psychiatrist doesn’t listen.
Says this antidepressant is well-tolerated. Only
my gut, with its desire for detergent, 
believes me. He continues to increase the dose.
 
40mg
What a helpful side effect.
Depressed? Take this antidepressant – it may
unhinge you further. I lose my appetite
for the first time. Skip dinner for a month.
I leave my psychiatrist of 9 years.
Withdraw from the antidepressant while on a waiting list.
My psychologist says I am making big life changes.
My GP says I need to have a specific goal in mind
for my psychologist. My psychologist says
we can just talk and not have a goal. We need to put you
on something says my new psychiatrist.
I’m already on an antipsychotic – isn’t that enough?
How about Valium 3 times a week?
I’ve built up a tolerance to benzos.
How about an extra antipsychotic?
Take back your prescription, swallow your own dose.
Don't test my patience. Listen to your patients.

0mg
I reduce the antidepressant slowly over months.
My anxiety has increased. I’m having a sleep study-
can’t breathe at night. Can you interpret my dreams, Mr Technician? Or do you still see traces of SSRI?