A telehealth GP told me mental problems are Aussies(locals) exclusive

[Bonisnothappy]

Posted this on the multicultural section but seems like I should post here...

I was asking about my insomnia and sleeping pills cuz I had severe sleeping problems along with depression, anxiety, social anxiety, PTSD and a bunch of stuff....
He was like: you Chinese study soooo hard dont push yourself too much
I was like 'excuse me I have stress from study but I didn't tell you that at all how could you just assume that ???? and I am not studying hard thank you for your stereotype now I feel like shit' in my mind but I didn't tell him
and he started to tell a bunch of stuff like I should manage my stress by myself, dont be like Aussies they take so many pills so they are having sleeping problems, there are a bunch of online tutorials of sleeping tricks, people who have insomnia are not busy enough
:))))))))) How do I cope with this? I can manage my depression myself? Good to know.

[blondguy]

Hi Bonisnothappy

I understand your feelings with anxiety...insomnia and depression. I used to have the same set of symptoms and they are awful to experience. I have also been 'judged' by health professionals with my ethnicity and it is horrible

Frequent ongoing therapy is always a huge help Bonisnothappy! Any questions are always welcome 🙂

I dont really understand your thread topic as it doesnt really help your well being Bon

my kind thoughts

Paul

[geoff]

Hello Bonisnothappy, welcome to the forums and agree with both you as well as Paul, being judged by a telehealth GP is not adequate enough and is certainly not the proper diagnosis anyone should ever receive.

I know how you both feel and I'm sorry, because it's also happened with me by the last psychologist I visited, who was in denial and believed no one needs to take any type of medication at all, and he said this, as he doesn't even take headache medicine, yet a majority of what I need to take every day is critical for my well being and my ability to function.

Whether or not your able to cope with the depression you're suffering from without any medication is truly a blessing for you, but people definitely need this medication to not only pull them out of a dark hole but to try and maintain a decent life.

Unfortunately, this GP is not suitable and needs to be counselled to improve his knowledge on mental illness.

Take care.

Geoff.

[Mathias]

Hi Bonisnothappy !

I just read your post and it seemed to me that the GP you mentioned was not very respectful regarding your feelings by making assumptions about something you never mentioned. I was diagnosed in 2014 with severe depression after my partner of 29 years had passed away in July of 2014. My GP at the time was a wonderful older man, very wise and suggested I seek out a good Psychologist. I did tell him at the time that I did not want a Psychiatrist as I had bad reports about the drugs they treat you with. Having worked in the medical field for many years, I did some study around the treatments and drugs that Psychiatrists use, and the fact that I found that all side effects from the drugs are felt well before there is an chance of feeling good about yourself. I decided on the Psychologist (no drugs) and began meditating every day, staying healthy, eating healthy food, and looking after myself. I am now a very healthy and fit 70 yr old male who loves his friends and shows gratitude for every day I wake up and looks forward to what that day brings. Please don't hesitate to reply as I am happy to help if I can.

[Croix]

Dear Bonisnothappy~

Welcome here, I think you can see from the responses you have received so far things are very wrong. I am very sorry you have been treated in this most unprofessional and bigoted manner.

You asked "How do I cope with this?"

The short answer is you do not, you try your best to find a GP or physiologist who does not believe in racist stereotypes, and spends a great deal of time assessing your sleeping problems along with your depression, anxiety, social anxiety, PTSD and other matters.

This in turn leads on to an assessment of the suitability and efficacy of your current medication and any therapy all of which leads to a balanced view of your situation, one that listens very much to you as you describe your feelings and circumstances (including but not dwelling just on study) - after all you are the expert on yourself.

While there is nothing really wrong with telehealth - I use it myself frequently - I do beleive there is no substitute for face to face if you can get it. If not then I'd suggest you write down in point form your symptoms, feelings and circumstances and email it to the doctor concerned in advance (no, not the doctor you have just described) and see how your problems are addressed. If it makes no sense or is glossed over then after a reasonable attempt to understand the doctor without result move on

I believe it is the rapport and trust between myself and my medical team that has been the most significant medical factor in my recovery (I too have PTSD, bouts of depression, anxiety, sleeping problems and so on), and while it might be hard, embarrassing even frightening at times - plus maybe expensive - it is worth persevering.

I could go on and itemize the lack of professional conduct of your GP but I don't really see any point, you already know he is grossly unsuitable and need to change.

Is there anyone in your private life, maybe a family member or a friend, who you can lean on at the moment? Not so they can 'fix' things, just be constant source of talk and care. Trying to cope alone with those illnesses you have listed is horrible. I was very fortunate with an understanding partner.

While I think of it if your studies are suffering from your conditions - and I cannot see how they would not, then please consider contacting your student services, and enlist their help so as to have as little damage done to your academic career as possible.

Please let us know what you decide (you are in charge after all)

Croix