Psychiatrist confidentiality from family to patient

[Ash_Leigh]

Hello all,

I have a query in regards to confidentiality from a psychiatrist but in the opposite way to what is usually asked about.

My mother is very unwell (suicidal and addiction), she has been seeing this psychiatrist for many years and long story short we are concerned about how everything is being handled. We have just written an email to the psychiatrist outlining our concerns and some very serious incidents that have occurring recently involving suicide attempts from my mother.

My question is, is she able to tell my mother that we have contacted her and what the email contains? Because we are not patients of hers specifically does that mean she does not have the same confidentiality requirements? We attempted to make an in person appointment with her to discuss things (we are very aware she cannot discuss our mother with us, we just wanted to advise her of what has been going on), but she declined and so email was our only option.

I hope this makes sense and my question comes across somewhat clearly. Thank you in advance for any help or responses 🙂

[Croix]

Dear Ash_Leigh~

I guess the first thing to say is that a psychiatrist's first duty is to the client they re treating. In addition it is their duty to keep that person safe.

If the psych is told that the client is in a life-threatening situation the they need to take whatever action they think is a appropriate to ensure hte client's safety, they can't ignore it.

While common sense dictates the least harm is done, it may well be necessary to divulge the source so as to have grounds for acting on or discussing suicidal thoughts or actions.

Can I suggest that even though it is worrying if your mother realizes where the information came from you have done the imortant thing, which is to try to keep her safe in the best way you know.

Being concerned about way things are handled by a health professional is something the client has to deal with. The simplest avenue is to get a second opinion. Unless you are aware of some form of malpractice I'm not sure you have much say in the matter.

Perhaps you best bet is to try to persuade your mother to get another view - is there anyone who has the most influence on her?

Croix

[Ash_Leigh]

Thanks for the reply Croix.

I understand and agree with what you’re saying. I’m sorry my initial message was quite short of detail.

My Mum will not listen to anyone else at this stage (denial/agression/defensiveness if brought up at all). We are hitting brick walls with all our options of how to deal with this situation.

I absolutely can not say for certain, but we strongly believe this particular psychiatrist is not fulfilling her obligations professionally, and is also enabling her addiction. She is able to take multiple pills a day, a few times a day at times, and not seem to run out. They are all prescription from this psychiatrist.

We are aware these are huge claims and thus are treading very carefully with it. We were hoping by sending the email very clearly outlining suicidal attempts and addictive use of the meds, she will now be held accountable in some way. It has now been 2 days since the email should have been received, and we have heard nothing back and no contact has been made to my mother in any way either. This is extremely alarming to us given the content of it.

My concerns of knowing of who sent the letter (and even worse seeing the letter) is from being concerned that this may set my mother off and do something drastic, however so far she has always contacted us in someway when this happens, and we are very scared if she feels it has come from us she won’t contact us in future incidents.

I apologise if this message is a bit rambling and jumping around, it’s basically the state of my mind at the moment I think. I appreciate any advice or thoughts 🙂

[geoff]

Hello Ash_Leigh, firstly welcome to the site.

There's not a great deal more I can say than what Croix has said, except to say that the email you have sent to her psychiatrist maybe read and then those very important issues you have pointed out will be asked, but not straight out, but in the way, they want to know information.

I know that my psychologist wanted to talk with my wife (ex) and 2 sons and get their opinion, but she didn't divulge anything, other than saying they are worried.

Another option is to ask your mother if you can go to a session or get permission from your mum to see her psych.

It sounds as though you are really concerned about your mum, and if you want to come back and discuss her addiction or her thoughts then please do, you are most welcome to do so, it may also help you.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[geoff]

Hi Ash_Leigh, I'm just wondering how you are going.

Please take care.

Geoff.