Communication

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10 Comments

1. Dear Dr. Sungur,

   I am writing on behalf of a friend, here in Turkey, suffering from obsession (neutral obsession, mostly, referring to sight and hearing). He has been in doctors misdiagnosed and mistreated for about 7-8 years.

   I am trying to find a CBT therapist that give him therapy and not only medications, but they only thing they give is more and more medications. We asked for Skype sessions with a CBT doctor in NYC, but it didn't work because my friend's English. He's been going to a CBT clinic in Istanbul since September but they only give him Anafranil, antipsychotic (he is not psychotic), benzodiazepines, and another atypical antidepressant. I am reading a book that an American doctor recommended me, “Freedom from OCD” and there they say that CBT, ERP and SSRIs are the best treatment, but so far no one has tried this with my friend. Well, in December his doctor tried some ERP, but without any previous CBT, only medication and my friend got into a crisis. Now he is very bad again, and seeing that the doctor keeps sending the same kind of medications, he is hopeless.

   His main objection for hope ,right now, is that there is no other case like his case. I've tried to explain to him that it doesn't matter if the obsession is with his eyesight or with his navel size, that the obsession mechanism is the same, but he doesn't believe me (he thinks i say this just to make him feel better).

   So, out of desperation, watching how someone that could have a normal life is sinking in misery, I am trying to reach you:
   Do you have any recommendation? Is there any doctor in Turkey, if possible in the Trakya region, that can treat obsessions?

   Thank you so much for your time.,

   Begonia

   Reply

   • Dear Begonia,
     You can give him/her my office phone number to get an appointment 0.216.3637134. I understand that s/he is Turkish and s/he can make appointment with my secretaries as they don't speak English. By the way you could please tell me your link with the patient you are referring to?
     Best to you and your friend.
     Perhaps there might be someone in Edirne who can help the client called Yasemin but I am not sure of her surname. She works in Trakya University as far as I know.
     Best wishes

     Mehmet Sungur
     Professor of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Dept of Marmara University Hospital, Istanbul
     President of the Turkish Association for Cognitive Behavior Psychotherapy (TACBP)
     Former President of European Association of Behavior and Cognitive Psychotherapy (EABCT)
     President Elect of the International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy (IACP)
     Diplomate, Founding Fellow Academy of Cognitive Therapy (ACT) ACT Certified Supervisor, Trainer and Consultant
     World Association of Sexology MESHC Member World Sexual Health Country Coordinator
     Executive Board Member of the European Federation of Sexology (EFS)

     Reply

     • Dear sir,

       He has an appointment for April with you, but he is very bad right now, so hopeless: The two CBT therapist we visited from September to this month say that he is not ready for therapy? What does that mean? Does he have any chance? He is saying that why should even go to another therapist, you, if you will tell him like the other ones, that he is not ready. I would love that someone explained to him, in Turkish, how does his illness work and why is it possible to cure it because he seems not to understand me (i can't speak Turkish). I have read so much about OCD that i believe it can he healed but he doesn't, and i understand it after so many failed “therapies”. I really wish someone can do something to alleviate his suffering.

       Best regards,

       B

       Reply

2. Thanks for your kind response. I called the number for an appointment, but the nearest appointment is for April 10th! wow! I will try to find Yasemin, Thanks so much

   Reply

   • Well, he canceled the appointment. He lost all hopes in doctors. I am about to lose it too… the hopes. Anyway, he is the one that should decide if to believe in doctors. It's a really horrible illness 🙁

     Reply

3. Hello Professor, I have a request for you. My father lives in Ankara. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and has been taking medication for 4-5 years. The doctor told him to stop a month ago. Now he has developed behaviors like shopping cravings and excessive talking. In short, I would like you to see him if possible. Can you help?

   Reply

   • You cannot reach Professor Hilmi Bey via his website. It would be best to call him and schedule an appointment.

     Reply

4. Hello,
   I am a first-year student in the Psychology (English) department at Istanbul Gelisim University. I am an active member of our university's Psychology Club. First of all, I would like to express how much we would enjoy having a conversation about our field with a valuable psychiatrist like yourself. As you can imagine, we don't have large budgets or fancy awards to promise you, but we have hundreds of students who are eager to listen to every word you say. Even now, there is a group of about fifty people waiting for your reply to my email. If you also believe that life is not only about fancy plaques and big award ceremonies, and that sometimes you believe in the magic of just a pleasant conversation and meeting new people, then we, the Istanbul Gelisim University Psychology team, would be honored and delighted to host you.
   Stay well and with love.

   Reply

   • My dear brother. I have never been after fancy plaques or large budgets. The greatest reward is your appreciation and seeing you use what you've learned to alleviate human suffering. The only problem is that I'm short on time. Therefore, I struggle to find a place to schedule. If you leave me free in terms of dates, we can find ways to schedule time together. Not on this platform. mzsungur@superonline.com Please contact us at this address. Sending love from Egypt to all of you…

     Reply

5. Dear Dr. Mehmet, I called your office through a Turkish friend, as I speak little Turkish, and your office said that you are booked until September and she couldn't give a reference for anyone else. Could you please contact me at the address below:

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