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

[Beetle]

Hi

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?

xx

[geoff]

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.

[Beetle]

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......

xx

[PamelaR]

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

[Beetle]

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

[MoMoPotato]

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.

[Beetle]

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

[Summer Rose]

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

[Beetle]

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

[Summer Rose]

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