Lost in the Red Tape

Last night I barely slept at all. I ran out of one of my mood stabilizers and couldn't fall asleep for a very long time. I called my doctor two days ago and asked for a refill. Usually the office makes me come in for an appointment in order to get my prescriptions which I think is ridiculous. In this case my doctor is completely booked up because of the holiday season and because what I assume is the growing amount of depression because of the economy. I don't understand why my Psychiatrists' office didn't jump on my refill. You would think they of all people would understand the importance of consistent medication. Sometimes if I have one day where I am off my meds and in a high stress environment it can throw me into a deep depression where eventually I will need even more medications to snap out of it or sometimes I can go the other way and not want to go back onto my meds because I am manic until I crash and burn still in need of further medication. I guess it is just difficult to get a few people on your side with psychiatric care. Does anyone else have this problem? Does your Psychiatrist make you come in for an appointment in order for you to get your prescriptions? Is it easy for you to get refills?