Why I've learnt the hard way it pays to ask questions and not put your complete trust in EXPERTs

[Cumulus]

I have had to struggle through a range of mental health issues at different ages, and seen many Experts. A GP I saw  in the height of crisis, for STD tests after a string of risky sexual behaviour. When I expressed my fears of my sanity and bad choices, he would lecture me about Buddhism and taking the high road.  I put a lot of trust into this GP for three years - so didn’t twig I needed to get another GP, until I found myself in a very dangerous situation with a male. I had a mental breakdown and I rang a crisis team. 

I attempted again to get help with a new GP. I advised her I was isolated in a male dominate boarding house; she said after knowing me five minutes she thought I had Borderline Personality Disorder which she said was untreatable. This pushed me over the edge. When I researched it I was horrified how much hate this diagnosis attracts.  I went downhill very quickly and found myself having to leave State - I could not process her diagnosis or wait the 6 months for the hospital appt as my housing so dangerous so I left the State to look for safer housing.

Trying again in 2013, I saw a pshycologist who helped but could not diagnose me after seeing me a year. Only two weeks ago my current GP put me on a medication, that made me deteriorate very quickly. I researched the medication and it said NOT to take it if there is a history of bi polar or hymophelia (which she had been treating me for)– which is my medical reports. The GP took me off it.

 I’ve been referred to a Male psychiatrist at the Hospital - I googled him and he is a drug and alchole addiction specialist – I don’t drink, do drugs and my last fitness test I am physically 39 though I am 45 years old. I rang the intake desk to find out the rationale behind this choice.

The young woman told me to go back to my GP. I pushed back gently, and said I just wanted to find out why he was chosen - she told she didn’t know anything about the psychiatrists practicing – and for me to google him. I said I had googled him which is why I was ringing. She wasn’t interested in answering my questions so I asked her politely to talk to her Manager.

 so glad I pushed backed – the Manager explained that it was an initial consultation to ascertain the best person to treat me. It is never too late to take control – you do need to be the CEO of you mental health treatment, and I'm also very grateful to this site, and Adults Surviving Child Abuse  for giving me information I need for my specific situation.

[white knight]

Hi Cumulus,

Every profession has their non professionals.The immature ones, the ones without life's experiences. But that doesnt mean they dont do their best and unfortunately that leaves us to make some tough calls ourselves.

I see it differently. I base things on intent. If they intend to try to treat and help us then thats good enough for me until I can change GP's. Rarely do doctors recommend a second opinion in my experience so that process is one for the patient to implement and implement they should. I went 6 years taking the incorrect medicine due to wrong diagnosis. It was 6 years of hell really.

So what I'm saying is yes, do question medical authorities and get second opinions but they are human and they do make mistakes. And therein lies one very important message. How do we know what its like to be a doctor? How do we know what its like to treat 40-100 people a day with the patients expectation that you never make a mistake? What is it like to be a doctor whereby you have 3,4,5, different possibilities for a diagnosis? What's it like to be a doctor where some patients lies so they can get meds to prove to their family they are sick (hypochondriac) What's it like to be a doctor and lose a patient, then return to work and treat someone whining person with a sore toe....it must be tough.

Yes, question them but consider their plight. Supply as much information as possible to help them diagnose and be nice. Their intent from the beginning of their career was to save peoples lives and help the ill.

Tony WK

[Wah]

Cumulus

I am a true believer of the principle of "patient as expert". Who knows me and my symptoms better than me? 

Any process we engage in should be collaborative. Dr's , specialists have a knwledge base that is learnt via study and practice. But we are all individuals. I approach it as me being there to explore their knowledge, offer my experience and see if together we can create a solution. 

I agree we need to maintain the control and ask as many questions as we can to be comfortable. I do my own research, go back, ask questions. Knowledge is power. I also need to feel comfortable enough with my treatment people to hand over the control if I think I am not well enough to make good decisions. 

Wah