Finding a psychatrist in Germany is a huge pain in the ass for me.

[Reiraku]

My general practicioner is medicating me with pills, but their effects are very lacking. So around three weeks ago he handed me a referral slip to a psychatrist and man, it's a hassle. I just started googling psychiatrists in my city and there are a lot, but most have negative Google reviews. I know those aren't neccesarily representative, since the vast majority does not leave a review at all. But for some reason even a single negative review makes me extremely uncertain and quick to dismiss a psychatrist, even though I know that this is a bit irrational of me. But when I did found one that was promising the secretary lady told me the earliest appointment would be four months from now, so I declined there as well. It's this weird mixture of having too many choices and none at all at the same time, if that makes any sense. Did you have similar experiences? If you get professional help, how did you find him?

 

[http-410]

Would it be possible to talk to your GP again? They can give you a referral with an urgency code that you can use to contact the Terminservicestelle. I have no idea how reliable that is. I don't think you can choose your doctor then, but that's just a guess. The Terminservicestelle can give you an appointment with a doctor within four weeks. Tbh, I wouldn't cancel the appointment where you would have to wait four months. If you're lucky, you'll move up the list. But I would definitely keep looking for another specialist, four months is a long time.

I have unfortunately had similar experiences, not only with psych doctors/therapists. It's absolutely insane how long you have to wait for an appointment. I would have to wait until August for an appointment with a specialist. The secretary of said specialist also gave me the tip about the urgency code, but it demotivated me so much that I didn't bother any further.

 

[Anima]

Yeah it really is a pain to get an appointment and it seems the the number of patients waiting for one is growing. For some time now they have to offer a Notfallsprechstunde or offene Sprechstunde as far as I know. It's still super hard to find someone for long-term, but it might help to find someone who's willing to squeeze you in regularly.
I always read the reviews first too and this quite offen kept me from calling to get an appointment. And at some point I just gave up. But, depending on how (un)well I am I'd just call quite a few, make appointments and wait. Get to know a few and if you're lucky there'll be the one that's on the same wave length.

 

[stygal]

You should try to get your name on as many waiting lists as possible and then "test out" as many psychiatrists as possible (the first few hours are free anyway btw) only by doing so you can find someone who fits the best to your personal requirements.

 

[saltshaker]

It's strange we're expected to find these people ourselves. I always hear "oww when you find the right therapist/shrink it will be worth it!"

Hey spoiler alert, I'm fucked and unable to find help on my own. You shouldn't have to search at all, the help you need should be directed towards you.

 

[fixitinpost]

My experiences are pretty much the opposite. There are barely any psychiatrists to choose from, and I've been unable to have continuous contact with one. The clinics around here hire temps. So over the course of 10 years, the longest I've seen a single doctor is two appointments in a row. Then her contract was up, too. About four years ago, the government agency for occupational safety directed harsh criticism towards my county for allowing these clinics to operate this way. All that seemed to have come out of that was a non-committal from politicians to look into it.

The clinic I'm at now has wanted to move me over to the GP. I can kinda see that. I don't feel like I fit the mold of what they consider a mental health patient. I'm not psychotic, schizophrenic, autistic, or have any kind of personality disorder (that I'm aware of). I just have my depression, social anxiety, and now suicidality. But the GP (understandably) views these as things they can't deal with. Things that need specialist care. And so I always bounce back.

I understand the struggle of being in charge of planning you own recovery whilst being right there in it, OP. I do think it's a good idea to reach out to as many doctors as you can manage, Google Reviews be damned. Get on those waiting lists, even if you feel they're unreasonably long. And then see whether you can get good help elsewhere in a shorter timeframe.

 

[Zhontafly]

Finding a doctor in Germany that actually helps is a pain in the ass for me. As a result I have to self diagnose and treat my issues.