topic Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated in Treatments, health professionals and therapies

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

Beetle — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 09:15:10 GMT

After this hour of exam I feel so humiliated as they strip your soul and you leave totally empty. ANyone ad those examinations done? I hope my emotional state gets approved as I spiraled down big time after the accident at work. I was fine before even though I had depression 5 years ago. I do think they try to wiggle out of their responsibility because of my depression in the past? I don't know. I hope not!!

anyone had similar experiences?

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

geoff — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 15:03:15 GMT

Hello Bettle, I'm sorry you have to go this and what I would be doing, as it's a WorkCover claim, is to go and see a lawyer because you're not sure what the outcome will be.

If you have been OK for 5 years then you will definitely be better with a lawyer, make notes of what you were able to do, especially under any pressure in this period, any tasks that were difficult to achieve but came through with flying colours.

Detail what's happened and how it has affected you.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

Beetle — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 23:50:38 GMT

Hi Geoff

thanks for your lovely post.Yes I have involved my union. I see how that goes. I think WC tried to wiggle out of everything first until we stand up to them. They don't care about us. We are just a liability and "fake". Fake until proven otherwise. Its disgusting.

I am suffering today as all my emotions and body awerness have left me. I feel like I'm not in my body. Like totally depersonalized. UUUGh its very eeeek.

see my Psych on MOnday and the helpful Psychiatrist on tues. So I have to be "good" til then. No stupid self-destructive shit til then......

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

PamelaR — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 03:37:16 GMT

Hi Beetle

Yes, I've had exactly the same experience as you. Completely humiliated. I put in a complaint to the organisation I worked for. Nothing came of it though.

As I walked in for my first appointment with the WorkCover psychiatrist he told me there was a visiting UK psychiatrist who would be sitting in on our discussion. This UK guy positioned his chair 'behind' me! It was awful. I had to talk about things I only ever talked to my psychologist about. I walked out of there - triggered. My anxiety took months to settle. Mostly it was because he tried to make me out a liar. They wanted to talk to my previous doctor and to access my medical records for 5 years or more.

I talked to my boss about it, my return to work coordinator, my psychologist - this all helped a little. It wasn't until my claim was approved that I felt better, but I could have done without the angst which added to my low sense of self esteem and self worth.

There has to be a better way for them to assess claims. This is not a very helpful method at all.

Not sure I've helped you any Beetle. Things will improve for you - slowly, but it will get better.

Kind regards

PamelaR

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

Beetle — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 06:13:50 GMT

HI Pamela

I agree WC needs to improve those exams. I hate it that their viewpoint is " Fake until proven otherwise" this is so totally unethical!! I am so stressed out now.

Today I feel totally weird. Its like I was emotionally raped yesterday and I am all numb today and detached from myself. I m just an it. Not myself. Extremely unpleasant. I don't know what to do with myself.

hugs Beetle

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

MoMoPotato — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 08:28:31 GMT

Hi Beetle,

First of all, I'd like to say I was very sad to read your message and I think it is horrible that you have had this experience. I have noticed that it is very common for claimants to feel this way after seeing a medico-legal psychiatrist, as it is literally their job to dig into your feelings and judge them. Unfortunately these organisations do not have another way to investigate claims. WC may be able to obtain a report from your treating psych if you have one, or you could provide such a report if you know what theyre looking for. You could also seek clinical notes from your treating practitioners to support your claim and provide background so you dont have to. This would be particularly helpful to show that your previous depression was in remission. Watch out for lawyers, "no win no fee" does not mean you will always come out better ("win" can mean the claim is accepted, but the fee could be more than you get from WC, meaning you are worse off overall). Legalaid could be helpful if you are eligible.

Hope it works out for you.

Mo.

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

Beetle — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 09:01:40 GMT

HI Mo

thanks for your lovely post. See what I don't get is that they got a report from a hospital consultant, a GP, a psychologist and a psychiatrist saying I suffer from depression and anxiety since the accident and I was in remission prior. However they still want you to do this
"soul striptease". Its so stressful. I understand they have to assess me but they got so much information already!!

WC doesn't make any sense how they work Mo. I hope you will never have to deal with them.

rather work 3 shifts a day than dealing with this horror cabinet!

Have a lovely evening

.beetle

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

Summer Rose — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 10:15:50 GMT

Hi Beetle

I have some experience with WC claims and the process in VIC. I want to encourage you to try not to worry too much at this stage.

An IME is fairly standard practice. I can appreciate, however, that it was difficult and tiring for you. I wish you hadn't had to go through it.

Given your insurer has a lot of info already that presumably supports your claim, it would be unusual for them to reject your claim no matter what the IME report says. You can ask for a copy of the IME report, if that would help you.

I don't know what state you are in but there should be a service available to help you through the system. In Vic it's called WC Assist and it's good and it's free.

If your claim is not accepted the next step is conciliation. You will have the chance to tell your story in an informal setting and a WC Assist person (or the equivalent in your state) will help you through it.

If your claim is accepted, you will receive weekly benefits, costs and support to RTW when you are ready.

If you questions about the process or anything else I would be happy to try and help

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

Beetle — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 11:19:01 GMT

HI Summer ROse

h thanks so much sharing your experience. You have really calmed my farm.I didn't know about the WC help assistant. My case worker is not helpful and did not supply me with any information. Combine that with mental health issues and a brain injury-boom panic room!

am hoping they take the other docs report into consideration. They are all good doctors with experience and I hope WC does not discredit them. I will ask for a copy of my report so I know what's in it. Need to find out how to do that. I didn't ask the doc. I was just glad to get out of there!

keep you updated how I go. I guess it will take a while before the results are available? weeks? Or only days? Days would be good !

Thanks so much for calming my farm.

xx beetle

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

Summer Rose — Sun, 14 Oct 2018 03:11:04 GMT

Hi Beetle

I'm going to assume that the "case worker" you refer to is someone at the end of the phone that you talk to about your claim, right?

This person is most likely employed by your employer's insurer, which is probably a big insurance company like Gallagher Bassett for example. These people typically handle a large case load and aren't always proactive--it's kind of hit and miss in terms of the service/communication that you will get. But you can ask them to help you. For example, this person can arrange to get you a copy of the IME report. These reports do, however, take time to be prepared. From my experience, it will most likely be a few weeks. But to the best of my knowledge you are entitled to a copy of everything in your file.

The insurance company will definitely take the other medical reports into consideration. They have to, by law. And, as I said before, it is hard for one IME report to discount what your other treating doctors are saying. Especially if all of the other doctors have the same view.

It's a really complicated system. But I hope it helps you to know that it is a system (at least in VIC) that is designed to help the worker.

The WC Assist service that I mentioned provides experienced people to explain the WC system and help people through the process. For example, WC Assist staff can attend formal conciliation meetings with you--on your behalf. You don't necessarily need a lawyer. You will be able to find information about this service on the WC website.

I know it's hard but try not to get too ahead of yourself. First you need to know whether or not the claim is accepted. Then you can deal with the next steps whatever they may be.

Kind thoughts to you

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

Beetle — Sun, 14 Oct 2018 03:47:06 GMT

Hello Summer Rose

awwww thanks so much for your supportive words. I really need this. For 6 month I was in a total limbo and had no idea how to navigate the system. Doctors didn't know either and my friends never went through WC. So yes I ended up having to wait forever for referrals and still didn't get any help at home as my 'caseworker" flips most I ask for off saying they wont cover that. I guess they get bonuses if they flip off things to safe money. I'm not sure if they realize that they put us the patient at risk of not getting better or in my case' trigger me into suicidal thoughts as I get so totally overwhelmed in a second ( since the brain injury, before I was like Toomb raider lol )

so thanks again. Summer rose. I hope you are doing ok. I'm just netflixing today as my energy was all wasted during the WC appointment. so I just chill ans try to distract myself today 🙂

<<<>>>

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

Beetle — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 23:35:41 GMT

still feeling numb

detached from my body

floating around in my brain like fog

I'm not myself

tired very tired

no emotions just nothingness

uuughhhh

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

Summer Rose — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 11:47:50 GMT

I hear you. I'm so sorry it's been a dark day. Hang in there. Tomorrow is a new day and a fresh start.

Kind thoughts to you

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

Beetle — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 07:58:34 GMT

Hey summer rose.

The numbness left me.but the feelings came back with such venegance that I got all overwhelmed.poor moderators got all worried about me. Fair enough.I had a good talk to them a nurse and today with a trauma councilor.tomorrow I see my psych. I feel better now.this am was no good .but now I'm OK. Thanks so much for your lovely posts xx

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

Summer Rose — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 10:26:08 GMT

Hi Beetle

I'm so glad you made it through the darkness. It's awful, I know. But you did it and should be very proud. I hope you continue to gain strength. We are all here for you when you need on us.

On the claim side of things ... I know you've got a lot on your plate right now but if you can try to explain the serious impact of the IME on your health to your psych. If this can be documented on a certificate of capacity even better. The system relies heavily on this paperwork and a record of your experience may come in handy one day. Don't worry if this is too much to handle at present, as it can be discussed at any time when you are ready.

Good luck tomorrow. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

Beetle — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 11:29:23 GMT

Thanks summer rose for your kind words

My psych apptm.was quite intense but very helpful.

Today I feel better.I think the trauma from the IME has passed.thank God. I got an email today that my anxiety and depression caused by the accident were approved.!!! I am so relieved that all this stress I had to Go through had at least a positiv outcome 🙂

And yes I will certainly keep the papertrail going. Something has to change with the WC process!

Xx beetle

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

Summer Rose — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 12:06:54 GMT

Hi Beetle

I'm glad you're feeling better today. Great news about the claim. Now you can concentrate on healing.

Kind thoughts to you

Had Independent Medical examination by psychiatrist today for workcover . Feeling humiliated

Trevy — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 13:23:20 GMT

Hi Beetle,

i haven't had one for workcover but I did have one for a tpd claim. It was fine at the time but afterwards I found out that she thought I had chronic fatigue syndrome rather than depression. I couldn't believe it. I wanted to respond 'don't you think we've already looked into that you moron?'. I actually found myself questioning whether she was a properly qualified, or sucessful psychiatrist. She ruined my claim but I don't have the energy to care. I hope your wc claim goes okay.