'Therapist' blamed anxiety on my culture

[rosalena]

:weep: so fed up and low tonight, not like me. I have been diagnosed as having a social anxiety disorder but with 3 children and a couple of hobbies from home, I dont spend all day feeling low. Tonight is terrible tho. Ive finally been assigned a 'therapist' who comes to my GPs surgery once a week. On the first appointment she said I can cure my disorder by reading a book from the library and said my culture is to blame. I actually wonder why the NHS is wasting money on this woman? Shes from Afghanistan but I would NEVER bring her culture into it out of respect! I asked 'Why doesnt EVERYONE of my culture have my problems then?'. Obviously she couldnt answer that. In case anyones wondering Im Romany gypsy, Im proud of my culture and its damn hard when people get us mixed up with 'travellers' who con people and rip people off etc. But why should I have to justify myself? I do suffer from anxiety and dread taking my daughters to school.....but my sisters and cousins certainly dont have this prob, so I dont think culture is to blame (I told her this). On the 2nd appointment she started by saying 'So we've decided that your culture is to blame for your problems....' I couldnt believe it!!!!!

[Annie0904]

so how does she account for those of us who are not Romany Gypsies who have social anxiety? I think maybe you need a change of therapist. You should be proud of your culture. I have taught some lovely Romany Gypsy children, it is NOT your culture that is to blame and I am not sure she should be saying that. If I said anything like that in school I think I would be in trouble!

[rosalena]

I should have asked her that Annie, never thought :) I did think it was rather bizarre, if I brought her culture into it surely she'd be offended as its unnecessary. Thanks Annie.

[london]

nothing wrong with a gypsy
tell her she needs meds the dope
god bless

[Littlehelper123]

hmm if i were you i would report her to your gp surgery because I would actually say that she is discriminating your culture which is wrong - she shouldn't assume that your culture is to blame - if she hasn't asked any other questions about your history, what could have triggered it off or anything then she needs to be fired because that's bad! xx

[rosalena]

Lol London :D x
Littlehelper, I did find it unusual (but then Im no expert) that she hasnt read my medical records or asked anything about previous problems. Ive had depression and panic attacks on and off for 18 years. 18 yrs ago I do remember saying I really wanted to get better so it wouldnt affect any future children I had. I didnt leave the house for 2 yrs when my youngest child was born and went from a size 10 to a 16 - which I hate. My mum has problems too, it sounds bad but Ive distanced myself from her as she refuses to get help and it affects everyone around her, she gets very spiteful and vindictive with it - and Ive got 3 children to think about. We also have people in the close family with anorexia, gambling addictions and OCD. All manage to hold down full time jobs. But no, the woman hasnt asked a thing about my history. Sorry about the rant!

[Anxious_gal]

She doesn't seem to know much about depression and anxiety if she blames your culture :/
I've met a lot of bad therapists, just because they have a qualification doesn't mean they are capable of doing the job.
Maybe see if she's any better in the next session as everyone has their off days .
But if you still feel that's she's being unhelpful try and see if you could get a new therpist.

Hmm I wonder if she's highly religious? I know that would make me uncomfortable .

I had one therpist who started talking about angels!
I have much more belief in science and psycolgy and angels sure aren't going to cure my anxiety!

[uk23]

Discrimination is not allowed in any form, you have the right to report her and request a new therapist if you wish. The first place to start would be directly to your GP surgery. If that doesn't get you anywhere then I would skip PALS and the PCT (bunch of morons) and go straight to your MP.

[BobbyDog]

I agree with everyone else, I would report her for gross misconduct!
Disgusting!!!!!!!!!!!!
How dare she!

[johnielov]

What kind of therapist she is, instead of making you feel alright she just make you feel worst. I suggest you change your therapist, someone who can possibly be a friend too:)

[tiredOfOcd]

rosalena

Regarding the book - when I got serious about getting my OCD under control my therapist suggested I learn as much about OCD as I could and suggested some books that I did read. Maybe that's what your therapist meant.

As far as it being culturally based? That's just such a bizarre comment (this is the 21st century and classifying people based on ethnicity is something that dropped out of popular thinking about 100 years ago or so) that I'd ask her to explain it again.

If the explanation amounts to her saying your anxiety is related to your ethnicity then find a therapist who wants to treat you as an individual not a culture.

[eternally optimistic]

Hi there,

I would ignore all the comments this "therapist" has made and, find someone else, if possible. Although, if this is on the NHS, that mighten be easy.

We ALL come from different walks of life and we all have our issues and I fail to see what connection there is with whatever issues you have.

Dont lose faith and I am sure you can improve with the help of this site and many other ways.

Keep smiling and good luck.

As someone said above, this certainly seems a very inappropriate thing to say and might be worth mentioning to the practice manager.

[rosalena]

Just going to read your posts now THANKYOU for taking the time to reply. Anxious Girl, that is very interesting you've said that. The lady I see (well Ive only seen her twice) is in 'The order of Baha' whatever that is, but yes its religious. How on earth did you guess? I dont mind peoples religion, each to their own, but I wonder if it does affect how she sees people, thats a thought.

---------- Post added at 13:51 ---------- Previous post was at 13:43 ----------

Thanks peeps, I was so fed up I was going to just cancel the whole thing. But now Ive decided to request someone else, no point in giving up and she just carries on with her weird line of thinking without her boss realising anythings wrong. Couldnt do todays appointment as father in law is ill, just got back from seeing him and making sure hes ok. I rang to cancel the app, she called back and asked why I couldnt come. I said sorry its a bit hard to talk at the minute, Im not alone...to which she kept me on the phone another 5 mins lol the freak. Well I hope everyone has a nice weekend, or try your best. Im going to take my girls swimming (eeek! dreading that, but has to be done as they enjoy it, will grit my teeth lol). xx

[london]

hit her over the head with 2 ton of lucky heather
and say yes we are strange people
that will teach her
god bless

[rosalena]

pmsl okey dokey x :D

[Tyke]

hit her over the head with 2 ton of lucky heather
and say yes we are strange people
that will teach her
god bless
I love that idea!

You could also read her palm and tell her that you see your therapy together ending and she is destined for another career!

It's a shame she was so bad, and paid by the NHS as well! Hopefully you'll do better next time.

Tyke :)

[Col]

HOW DARE SHE,!:curse::curse:

I assume she's a NHS therapist!!!! Complain say she's made your anxiety worse and quote what she said!!! I'd go back before this and I'd seriously lay into her, about this - also!

I am going to say this, I was brought up Catholic but, I've married a Muslim & I presume IF she's from Afganistan she's aware of the media etc? Therefore can you imagine how she'd react if, you brought her culture & because Islam & culture in these areas are very inter-linked!! Can you imagine her reaction.
I bet you'd be barred, from your local surgery in a flash ~ if you blamed her attitude on her culture or religion.

If you blamed her lack of professionalism on her culture and ignorant attitude, what would she say? Professional OR not, to take such a liberty like she has in this day and age, is simply treading on ~
'thin ice'!!!!!!!

Discrimination & prejudice or blaming someone's culture/religion or ethnicity for anything,
is a SERIOUS - NO NO ! With reprocussions! Like getting the sack , hopefully!

Please do not let this go!:bighug1: X

[Mr X]

I was told I was going to hell by a so-called psychiatrist before - he's Muslim and I'm an Atheist - and he said it because I drink. I do wonder how these people get a job sometimes.

[Col]

I was told I was going to hell by a so-called psychiatrist before - he's Muslim and I'm an Atheist - and he said it because I drink. I do wonder how these people get a job sometimes.

Mr X

That's awful, absolutely agree ~ how on earth do these people get these jobs????? that in my opinion require a lot of care, respect & compassion???????:mad: its discusting & twisted this world.