View Full Version : Negative and positive experiences of DOCTORS!
I was wondering what people experiences are of doctors?!!! The doctors attiudes etc to OUR condition.
I remeber when I first started with my panics, It was horrendous (it makes me ill just thinking of it). Whe he just said Oh its anxiety, I was in tears and said "what do I do"- as he stood up to open the door.
He just calmly and very patronisingly said "Oh read a book".
Devastated he couldnt see the pain I was in, I went to see another GP. He was amzing and would often let me go and see him a few times a week, he was calm and very empathetic to me. He was my guardian angel I felt for a long time and still now I say thank you for all he did.
what your experiences of the dreaded doctor?? GOOD or BAD[:I]
The first Dr who told me I had anxiety made it sound like I had chipped my nail varnish and I was blowing it all out of proportion. Offered no help or explanation.
The next Dr was much more helpful. He explained how common it was and that I wasn't going mad etc... But I wouldn't do any medication at that point.
Then when I did finally go completely under the Dr I was then was lovely. She can seem a little patronising as she specialised in childrens' health but she is very sweet and positive and let me do things my way even though she knew I'd mess it up. But she let me learn. I was seeing her every few days, then once a week, then once a fortnight. Now we are once a month but I can call anytime.
Hi Kimmy,
Glad you found a good doctor eventually.Mine is great when I can get to see him. I am lucky cos a couple of the docs at our practise have had mental health problems so they are really understanding. I felt like you when I was told I had anxiety except it was me that thought is that all? Couldnt believe the problems anxiety could cause and how ill it can make you. I wanted it to be something more serious, something that equalled how bad I felt. Now I have a really good psycho and she has made me realise how sick anxiety can make you.
Are we talking GP's? There aren't any GP's who are qualified to treat anxiety disorders. They should be referring you on to specialists, i.e. psychology who can ascertain the best course of treatment.
Sadly our NHS is geared towards budgeting before patient care, so 99% of people will leave the surgery with no referral and a script for citalopram.
___________________________________________
"At the end of a storm, there's a golden sky..."
The waiting lists in our area are 6 months on before you can see a specialist. So you need a good GP to keep you going.
Thankfully my employers have a scheme so I was able to see a specialist pretty damn quick. Felt like I was cheating the system but hey ho you have to be selfish sometimes.
<b id="quote">quote:</b id="quote"><table border="0" id="quote"><tr id="quote"><td class="quote" id="quote">The waiting lists in our area are 6 months on before you can see a specialist. So you need a good GP to keep you going.
Thankfully my employers have a scheme so I was able to see a specialist pretty damn quick. Felt like I was cheating the system but hey ho you have to be selfish sometimes.
<div align="right">Originally posted by samc100 - 27 December 2006 : 18:27:30</div id="right">
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How does a GP keep you going?
___________________________________________
"At the end of a storm, there's a golden sky..."
When I had my first panic attacks as a teenager, I had an appalling Doctor who was very unsympathetic. I believe I became agoraphobic because I received no support or medication at all. When I was eventually referred to a 'psychiatrist', I was simply told I needed to get back on the horse. My parents were told I did not deserve to be taken on the family holiday because I was doing it for attention. If only that were true!!!
As an adult, I have received slightly better care, and my Doctor is quite sympathetic and I do feel I can talk to her. But despite becoming agoraphobic again and suffering from panic attacks for the past three years, I have only had six sessions with a counsellor.
Hi
I have to agree with Nel, i was given citalopram & told to go & get on with it basically! had to go back and demand to be put on the waiting list for cbt, the waiting time being 18 months in my area! There wasnt much I could do in the mean time except keep fighting the anxiety myself. There are some unsympathetic doctors but even with the sympathetic ones their hands are tied to an extent as they arent qualified to treat anxiety.
Love
Suzyxx
normalwisdom
27-12-06, 18:49
Hi Nel
My GP kept me going he was more of a friend than a doctor so it does help I suppose. I know that he had been through a lot of things himself, think that helps a lot. I had to wait nearly 11 months for councelling so he offered a friendly ear and let me see him whenever I wanted. Think I am one of the lucky ones though.
Steph
My GP is there for me. She talks to me and my partner which was very useful in the depths of madness.
For me it is reassuring to know I don't have to battle with an unsympathetic GP
Hi Kimmy,
One doctor I saw was really unsympathetic, he told me to take medication then to staight away get looking for a job. He talked to me like I was lazy and didn't want to work and wouldn't listen when I tried to explain I have difficulty taking medication and wanted to do it with therapy only. His manner wasn't at all nice, I was in tears when I left. I had to see him that day, as noone else was available for a while.
But my usual doctor is alot better. She listens to me and has a much nicer manner. She also reffered me for therapy.
Glad you found a good doctor too.
Take Care,
Heather x
Reading this I realise how lucky I am with my GP. He is so sympathetic and if I run into trouble goes out of his way to help. It makes such a difference.
Jo
Under~The~Stars
27-12-06, 19:14
I have a great GP who I was seeing every week to do with my anxiety, depression and panic attacks. I now see her every couple of weeks. I have had counselling and am seeing a psychologist now too. However, I still see my GP and if it wasn't for her I'm not sure where I would be. She really goes out of her way to make me feel better. I can call her anytime. Out of everyone I've seen - and there's been a few - she has been the one person who I know I can rely on for support as she has been there the whole time so I've really got to know her and trust her completely. She has been my rock throughout as I don't get support from family or friends, no one else understands.
Louise x
my doctor after a couple of visits to see him referred me to a cbt, when I had no reply a few weeks later, he was sadened to tell me they didnt think i was a priority to see them. I was mortified and so was he!
Counselling was my only option!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My Lady GP is fantastic, She has treated me with total respect and understanding and 100% support,
My referal was rushed through at her insistance and dont know how I would have coped if I didnt find this lady as my doctor (I rushed to the doctors one day convinved I was about to take my last breath (again!!) and she took me on as her patient,
prior to this however my condition was undiagonsed for many years by my previous GP's who brushed my symptoms off as tiredness,
A good doctor makes all the difference!
I'm lucky enough to have a fantastically supportive GP. She has always gone that extra mile to get me the help I need and saw me weekly prior to my admission to hospital - my main problem is anorexia rather than anxiety for anyone who hasn't read my posts.
I really think it makes all the difference to have a doctor who is supportive. My previous doctor wasn't interested at all. My current GP made the effort to read up about my condition.
She even sent me a Christmas card!
Karen
I have to say something here.
Firstly, I do not think Nel that you can assume there are not any GP's qualified to treat anxiety. What is qualified? A piece of paper that shows someone has studied a particular aspect of mental health? If it is, do you know what every doctor in a practice has specialised in? When I initially went to this GP in a desperate state, I didn't stop to ask what her credentials were, however, had she been rubbish I may have looked for a GP that had done some training in this area. I did leave with a script for Citalopram and a referral to a psychologist with a promise of a further referral if this doesn't help. She was extremely understanding of my reluctance to take medication and supportive of my choice. I did eventually take it and thank goodness as I believe it is saving my sanity.
I visit my GP and a psychologist on a regular basis. My Gp gives me time, patience, understanding, explains what is happening in my body, offers me choice, treats me with respect, offers me reassurance, she makes it clear that I can go whenever I feel the need, she has offered me several avenues of expertise to assist me in dealing with this and not been in the slightest bit put out when I have rejected some of her suggestions.
My GP keps me going by being kind, supporting yet not encouraging dependence.
My psychologist on the other hand, I find ok. She is professional, competent and knows what she is about but I do not think she has the slightest idea of where I am as I am not in a box or have a label. I do not fit a classic label of a specific anxiety or phobia. I am not anxious all the time and when I am not anxious, I am fine. Therefore, I am too well, I think for her to treat. Yet when I am anxious, I am reclusive, self destructive, and extremely depressed.
I think too much emphasis is put on qualifications with regards to professionalism.
However, I do realise many many people have negative experiences. I may well be one of the fortunate ones.
Happyone
groovygranny
27-12-06, 22:00
I too consider myself to be one of the lucky ones. My doc handled me so well, considering I didn't even know I was depressed or anxious when I first went to see him!
And when I was really ill he made me ring him at the surgery every day, just so he could determine my state on a 24hr basis. If I had not had that I think things would have turned out very differently, Even when he started talking of referring me to other 'professionals' (which scared the living daylights out of me cos I was sure I'd end up being locked away forever). Thankfully it never came to that, but I now take nothing for granted.
The dedication of my GP and the support and inspiration I have gained from NMP have had such an impact on me, and are still important to my recovery so far.
Hope eveyone will be able to say this one day because if you are with a doctor who is totally unsympathetic then it is your right to ask a second opinion.
Lotsa luv
GG [:P]
xxx
'There are no such things as strangers; just friends we haven't made yet!'
I went to see many doctors over the years who kept saying there wasn't anything wrong with me. In fact I had my daughter 16 years ago and this was the start of the symptoms.
It has been in the last 2/3 years, that anxiety has been mentioned, up until then, I wasn't sure what was wrong.
My doctor now, is brilliant. I hardly ever go to see her, as she has helped me so much. If I do need a chat, I only need to call and she will speak to me.
So although, its been a long slog to get it recognised, it was worth it to get the doctor i now have.
broadband.cyphus.com, switchboard.cyphus.com
There are many ways to stay in touch.
Keep focused, keep positive. Emma x
<b id="quote">quote:</b id="quote"><table border="0" id="quote"><tr id="quote"><td class="quote" id="quote">I have to say something here.
Firstly, I do not think Nel that you can assume there are not any GP's qualified to treat anxiety. What is qualified? A piece of paper that shows someone has studied a particular aspect of mental health? If it is, do you know what every doctor in a practice has specialised in? When I initially went to this GP in a desperate state, I didn't stop to ask what her credentials were, however, had she been rubbish I may have looked for a GP that had done some training in this area. I did leave with a script for Citalopram and a referral to a psychologist with a promise of a further referral if this doesn't help. She was extremely understanding of my reluctance to take medication and supportive of my choice. I did eventually take it and thank goodness as I believe it is saving my sanity.
I visit my GP and a psychologist on a regular basis. My Gp gives me time, patience, understanding, explains what is happening in my body, offers me choice, treats me with respect, offers me reassurance, she makes it clear that I can go whenever I feel the need, she has offered me several avenues of expertise to assist me in dealing with this and not been in the slightest bit put out when I have rejected some of her suggestions.
My GP keps me going by being kind, supporting yet not encouraging dependence.
My psychologist on the other hand, I find ok. She is professional, competent and knows what she is about but I do not think she has the slightest idea of where I am as I am not in a box or have a label. I do not fit a classic label of a specific anxiety or phobia. I am not anxious all the time and when I am not anxious, I am fine. Therefore, I am too well, I think for her to treat. Yet when I am anxious, I am reclusive, self destructive, and extremely depressed.
I think too much emphasis is put on qualifications with regards to professionalism.
However, I do realise many many people have negative experiences. I may well be one of the fortunate ones.
Happyone
<div align="right">Originally posted by happyone - 27 December 2006 : 21:42:06</div id="right">
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GP’s are there to provide primary and preventative care. The treatment they will provide for anxiety is medication and/or a referral. They have very short time slots in which to see patients, which means they cannot offer any sort of therapy, CBT for example is the tried and tested method for treating anxiety long term – and the relapse rates when compared to medication alone are very encouraging.
My point is not a GP’s credentials, I am not interested in whether one of their 6 month placements were in psychology or psychiatry – that wasn’t my point.
I would have the same view were I attending the GP with a heart condition, or a respiratory condition, or any number of ailments which require acute, specialist treatment.
I haven’t had any negative experiences with my GP – if I so required, she would provide all the things you mention (respect, reassurance, listening) however I am looking for a lasting solution, the course of treatment which will give the least chance of relapse.
I DID however ask my CB therapist at my first appointment what experience she had. She never sought to label or put me in a box and I’d have been horrified if she had.
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"At the end of a storm, there's a golden sky..."
keepemlaughing
28-12-06, 05:12
The last doctor I had before I switched insurances was wonderful. He was a GP but took the time to counsel me and went out of his way to make an appointment for me with a therapist. He always treated me with respect and I felt I could tell him anything. My new GP I got through the new insurance is an uncaring cold fish. He acts like you have a disease when you see him. I called my insurance carrier during a horrible anxiety attack crying like a baby and begging for help. They referred me to a psychiatrist who I have seen for the last months. He is absolutely wonderful and when I am in his office he is so attentive and actually listens. I would pick a psychiatrist over a GP any day.
Sheryl
Why stay in prison when the door is wide open?
The point I was trying to make, albeit a bit long winded (me at my best!) was that there are different things that people need for anxiety. First line of treatment is a GP. An unsympathetic GP is going to set anyone back, particularly if they have no idea what is wrong with them, yet on the other hand, a GP who is understanding can provide a valuable amount of support.
I don’t agree that referral is always the course of action, different people require different things.
By qualified, I mean that it is not always necessary to have professional qualifications. The best bit of advice I have received was from here, this site.:D Next to that, it is sitting with my best friend talking about what is going on in my head. (poor her![:I]) My referral has created a new anxiety for me, has not made me feel reassured and I think has helped to maintain the status quo.
My GP, I do believe, has helped me preserve my sanity and on a couple of occasions possibly more.
I realise my reply was a bit nippy Nel, (well I didn’t realise until I re-read it today![:I])
I didn’t mean it to (possibly I did?.......... Forgive me[?][?]) I feel quite strongly about the treatment I have received from my GP and of that a close member of my family. I think specialists have been destructive in our treatment and had we been more well, we might have recognised it and be able to put a stop to it.
I accept your point entirely about GP’s being constrained by budgets and the NHS as it is. Yes, I agree that GP’s generally just hand out a script and no referral.
If this makes no sense whatsoever, it is me being my usual self!
Happyone
x
<b id="quote">quote:</b id="quote"><table border="0" id="quote"><tr id="quote"><td class="quote" id="quote">
I think specialists have been destructive in our treatment and had we been more well, we might have recognised it and be able to put a stop to it.
<div align="right">Originally posted by happyone - 28 December 2006 : 10:17:57</div id="right">
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I don't quite get your point on 'we' to be honest. I have had valuable help from my CB therapist, as have many people on the site who have had CB therapy. I haven't read or spoken to anyone who felt that CB therapy was destructive [?] It's not, and that isn't just an opinion - that is something which has been proven in many clinical trials. Indefinate mediation as a stand alone treatment isn't the answer IMO however I wouldn't ever describe anything as 'destructive' for fear I might put people off that course of treatment.
At no point have I ever lost insight into my anxiety, I know me better than anyone and that is how therapy (well CB therapy certainly) works.
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"At the end of a storm, there's a golden sky..."
hi
i usually tell my gp what i want, though it took one i know to refer me for cbt. I was also referred to a surgery based thing called poesis but had been there and was told to read a leaflet. Anyway rang the cbt place myself got put on top of list and am now waiting for my second session. I know i've been quite lucky though it has taken a long time to get here.
Lindaxx
<b id="quote">quote:</b id="quote"><table border="0" id="quote"><tr id="quote"><td class="quote" id="quote">hi
i usually tell my gp what i want, though it took one i know to refer me for cbt. I was also referred to a surgery based thing called poesis but had been there and was told to read a leaflet. Anyway rang the cbt place myself got put on top of list and am now waiting for my second session. I know i've been quite lucky though it has taken a long time to get here.
Lindaxx
<div align="right">Originally posted by sandlin - 28 December 2006 : 12:54:51</div id="right">
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That's pretty much what I've had to do Linda. I WAS paying £70 a session for private CBT but thought why the heck should I be out of pocket!? I've paid tax and NI my whole life. I first went to my GP 2 years ago (when I started having panic attacks) and the only treatment I've received from the NHS in that 2 years are various prescriptions for anti-d's (and I simply don't want to go down that route. I don't want to overcome anxiety only to taper off meds and find myself back at square one).
My GP was quite happy to have me funding my CBT privately, but wrote a letter on my behalf when I told her it wasn't acceptable and I simply couldn't afford it anymore. I phoned psychology and they said it would be 5 months before I got an appointment, so I got right back to my GP and lo and behold my first appointment with the NHS therapist is 15th January.
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"At the end of a storm, there's a golden sky..."
my gp is really good he referred me to a cpn who was useless and she put me on the waiting list for my physical health not mental health because of this i had to wait 3 years for a therapist i only got one when i did cos i run a support group and work alongside the pmt and mental health service. have just completed my cbt which has been fantastic and have my appointment with therapist in feb.
netty
the dreams of the future are better than the history of the past
I didn't mean to describe CBT as destructive, I would never want to put anyone off going for it, in fact quite the opposite. However, I do feel it has been so (in part) for me . My point was that I have had a negative experience with CBT, or rather, with the person facilitating it. I have to say, this may be a problem of mine, not hers. A close family member had a negative experience with a psychiatrist. (thats where 'we' came in) Had it not been for my GP I really don't know where I would be now. My GP listened carefully to what I was telling her and was happy to refer me (and to suggest it) to someone else. I wasn't well enough to recognise that the original person possibly wasn't helping me. Had the GP not been suitably experienced, had she bowed down to financial pressures, or been unqualified in terms of her core skills of respect, listening etc (which we know, all doctors don't possess) I may have continued to get anxious as it wasn't working for me. Now though, I know that I can go to someone else.
Please don't think Nel, or anyone reading this that I am trying to put people off. CBT is a tried and tested method of assisting in the long term management of anxiety. I don't think long term medication is a solution, but I think it has it's part to play for some. I have been extremely anxious for years and as a result not taken medication or not taken it long enough. I have been extremely anti-med. However, I would go as far as to say, medication has saved my life once if not more.
I am receiving CBT now, still from the original person. I feel some benefits, but not a huge deal. My GP is 'keeping me going' by talking and listening to me and not making me feel I am a pest or otherwise a bother. She has become somewhat of a counsellor too. If things aren't improving in the new year, I will accept the doctors referral to someone else.
I don't mean to sound offensive or critical of CBT. I just wanted to make the point that there are many ways in which someone can be qualified and having formal qualifications doesn't always make someone good at their job. You get good GPs, bad GPs. Good psychologists, bad psychologists. It's the same with every job every where. As patients we have to put ourselves in their hands and hope that they are good (which I believe most are)
I also think I am fortunate in my area, that after a referral, I saw someone within two weeks. I realise NHS differs in different parts of the country.
Don't be offended Nel, please. I really don't mean to. I am pleased you have got your referral to the NHS therapist and to pay £70 a session out of your own pocket is c**p. I am sure you will have a positive experience, as I have had with GP.
Happyone
No worries happy, I'm not at all offended hon.
It's just my opinion, but I think anyone who is finding their day to day living affected by anxiety should have the opportunity to see a therapist sooner rather than later. Standard practice though, at the minute, is for GP's to put people straight onto medication (which in many cases is actually unecessary) without explaining the potential risks.
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"At the end of a storm, there's a golden sky..."
Happyone I have read all your posts and I dont think what you have said was negative towards CBT. I just noticed you expressed your opinions. How other people percieve what you have written is down to them.
CBT wasnt for you, mediaction isnt for others- yet that worked fantastic for me! Its my opinion and that is yours, dont appologise for saying how you feel xxxxxxx
<b id="quote">quote:</b id="quote"><table border="0" id="quote"><tr id="quote"><td class="quote" id="quote">Happyone I have read all your posts and I dont think what you have said was negative towards CBT. I just noticed you expressed your opinions. How other people percieve what you have written is down to them.
CBT wasnt for you, mediaction isnt for others- yet that worked fantastic for me! Its my opinion and that is yours, dont appologise for saying how you feel xxxxxxx
<div align="right">Originally posted by kimmy - 28 December 2006 : 17:38:07</div id="right">
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Totally agree Kimmy :D
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"At the end of a storm, there's a golden sky..."
:D Oh i started an exciting thread lol[:o)]
Mine is a sufferer just like us so she's ab fab
Phill
Don't believe everything you think.
I have to agree
Different people need different treatments.
Personally CBT doesn't work for me but Cipralex does.
Others no doubt find the opposite
Phill
Don't believe everything you think.
First GP (female) told me that she could not understand health anxiety unless she had just declared me diseased and dying (which she hadn't), and also told me to give up my job (which I'm glad I didn't). Second GP (male) just gave me prescriptions for whatever I recommended!!! Go figure!
Kay x
piglits pal
29-12-06, 14:51
<b id="quote">quote:</b id="quote"><table border="0" id="quote"><tr id="quote"><td class="quote" id="quote">
How does a GP keep you going?
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I suppose it depends on your GP, but the two I saw at our practise became more like friends than professional contacts. They are patient and understanding of my problems and they are happy to give you time and just listen while you ramble on. Mutual respect is a big part of this. Maybe I've been lucky in that respect but I wouldn't be where I am now without the support of these two GPs.
<b id="quote">quote:</b id="quote"><table border="0" id="quote"><tr id="quote"><td class="quote" id="quote">
<b id="quote">quote:</b id="quote"><table border="0" id="quote"><tr id="quote"><td class="quote" id="quote">
How does a GP keep you going?
</td id="quote"></tr id="quote"></table id="quote">
I suppose it depends on your GP, but the two I saw at our practise became more like friends than professional contacts. They are patient and understanding of my problems and they are happy to give you time and just listen while you ramble on. Mutual respect is a big part of this. Maybe I've been lucky in that respect but I wouldn't be where I am now without the support of these two GPs.
<div align="right">Originally posted by piglits pal - 29 December 2006 : 14:51:27</div id="right">
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Hi PP,
I understand what you're saying.
I guess, for me, respect (and actually all the things you mention - patience, understanding etc.) is a given - it is with any illness so I've never been particularly grateful to my GP for showing me respect. I wouldn't expect or accept anything else (maybe I'm just ungrateful lol) ;)
Nel xxx
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"At the end of a storm, there's a golden sky..."
My first GP just wrote a prescription 4 years ago soon after I lost my dad & never followed it up ! After the first 6 months & after reading the horror stories regarding diazepam, I spoke to another GP who simply said breathe in a paper bag and pull yourself together ! I'm on 2mg of diazepam still, but I'm more like I used to be. Like Nel said, GP's simply don't have the time to analyse the root causes of the problem.
Hi All,
My doctors were useless. I went in after my first panic attack and was treated like i had made it up!! i went back after the next 1 and the next, not to mention 3 trips to hospital. I was offered no explination as to what may be causing the problems or even what they were. I just have various meds thrown at me. It wasnt until a trip to the KEYDOC one night that i met a doctor who explained exactly what was happening to me and why. She offered advice on treatments and said she could not understand why i had been put on the meds i was on. On returning to my usual doctor i explained i had been advised to take citalopram for my condition to which he replied...'What is your condition?' and then preceeded to write a prescription for the wrong meds, apparently he hit the wrong button.
Nick
"It does get better"
Rennie1989
27-01-07, 23:41
I can't believe he (or she) did that to you! You should have complained to the NHS trust!!
I only went to the doctors once and that was when I felt depressed. I only went to book a physio appointment so I thought "Whilst I'm here I'll ask." She wasn't willing to help. If I was going to commit suicide or attempting to then she would help, otherwise she told me, 16 years old at the time with no job, to PAY FOR MY OWN COUNSILLING which would be over £5 a session. I found that a total insult.
Because of that I refuse to go to the doctors about my panic attacks encase I get the same treatment.
"My teddy last night was a paper bag, to keep my safe."
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