I feel really neglected by the health system.

[Monicas]

Hi. I have been having severe breathing difficulties for 15 months. I have been to doctor to doctor to doctor. No help nothing though. They keep just brushing me off with anxiety. What I am experiencing is not anxiety. Is this mental health discrimination? Why are they not helping me with this. Just keep sending me home telling me I'm fine and to breathe into a straw or brown paper bag. How is that going to fix me. They are using stigma right? Anyone with severe health anxiety get assumes it's just their anxiety causing their symptoms. Don't even check me over or nothing. Is this because of my history with mental Illness. Now they don't believe that something is actually wrong this time. A case of the boy who cried wolf.
Thanks you. Any advice be appreciated.

[Egbert97]

Hi there!

I’m very sorry to hear you’ve been going through this. I’ve also seen very dismissive doctors and they’re not reassuring at all. have you had any other symptoms with your breathing issues? perhaps seeing a psychologist & getting their written approval of the fact that you don’t have anxiety could also convince the doctors your symptoms are real. if not, all I can recommend is speaking to more GP’s. hope this finds you well

[Monicas]

Hi thanks for your reply.
O just feel that 10 doctors have pushed me away with anxiety yet I should have had treatment for something a year ago. Could have worsened and died due to medical neglect. What do you think.

[Guest_0753]

Hello Monicasanduw95,

I am sorry to hear of your suffering. Must be very unbearable for you. It is perfectly normal to not have found a Dr you gel with. Keep looking around for one. However, may I suggest with such severe breathing problems, it might be best to go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital first

Hope this is helpful 🙂

[Monicas]

Hi thanks for the advice.
I have seen more gp,s nearly 15 actually. Even been turned away twice at a hospital. I have been diagnosed with bpd and anxiety. It's like none of them truly want to help me stop suffering.
Could this be discrimination?

[Guest_1643]

its them, not you. it happens a lot sadly. Turned away because they don't have the skills, time or resources to help.

A good GP is very very hard to find. They will usually have long waiting lists if they are very good. If you can find one like that - who people speak of with great respect and who is difficult to get into - that could (paradoxically) be the one. My gp is excellent - but I hvae to wait hours for him to be there at my appointment. He's always running behind time and is extremely hectic. But he's good, caring, empathetic.

Please don't give up. Trust your gut. If you feel it's discrimination and they are rushing you out of there - something may very well be wrong with how they're approaching you. Not all GPs are sensitive or knowledgable on mental health.

I was also wandering if you know about calling the Triage/Catt team -they may have nurses/social workers on call who can be experienced? Or calling Beyond Blue, Lifeline or other servieces which are empathetic and don't stigmatise. Stigma is so prevelant - hate it! you sound smart and aware - maybe smarter than them 🙂 Trust your gut.