Lotte
25-02-09, 19:15
Something that has continually frustrated me over the years since I developed PTSD and anxiety has been how GP's and 'some' professionals often misjudge people simply by their appearance.
I recently signed up with a GP surgery when I moved here from the Netherlands and my medication was reduced by a GP whom I can only describe as about the worst and most frightening GP I have ever met in 40 years of life. I was left with such a minimal amount of medication that I'm now left with incontinence and all of my previous symptoms, leaving me completely agoraphobic.
I had been fully assessed by a medical team consisting of a psychiatrist, psychiatric doctor and it was clear that anti depresants caused me awful side effects, therefore I was prescribed a benzodiazepine which had helped me greatly. I am not saying that a people suite all medications, instead different medications suit different people.
It was in a conversation with my mum that the practice manager implied that I looked very well, in fact commented on my very tidy appearance and also the fact that I seemed to be quite bright? Hang on a minute here, I thought:shades:
My mum said that they were expecting me to have knotty hair, unwashed and be scruffy. I mean how stupid, if they were to look at my medical files or diagnosis (which this doctor has flatly refused to do) then some of these professionals assume that having anxiety means
1. we cannot wash
2. We look ill
3. We cannot care for ourselves at all
What type of positive encouragement is that?
This logic of thinking seems to be ridiculous and I often wonder if this is the reason for some people not getting the correct treatment.
I did a google on this and came accross a website which made me giggle in the mysery of my agoraphobia. It's called http://butyoudontlooksick.com/
This young woman has experienced this same situation and made a website.
She also sells products, one particular T-shirt she sells has "My disabling chronic illness is more real than your imaginary medical expertise" which made me laugh. I thought about getting this for next visit to the GP who has withdrawn my medication. On second thoughts she seemed to have no sense of humour and was very stone faced, so I thought twice about this idea ;)
I wondered how many people writing on this forum would like to actually be able to contribute to society? I bet it's quite a few, yet how many are getting therapy or the correct therapy or medication I wonder, simply because of how they look or come accross?
I seem to have also been lied too about the particular medication I had withdrawn, being told it was restricted. After speaking to NICE I later found and have in writing that there are no restrictions on this medication?
I have spoken to pals who were full of support and are looking into this situation.
So, to suffer with anxiety here is to live in a box with a nurse popping in and out to help you. Instead of positive encouragement and support to help a person get back to some type of normal life?
I just felt having a little vent about how looks can be deceiving
thanks for reading
I recently signed up with a GP surgery when I moved here from the Netherlands and my medication was reduced by a GP whom I can only describe as about the worst and most frightening GP I have ever met in 40 years of life. I was left with such a minimal amount of medication that I'm now left with incontinence and all of my previous symptoms, leaving me completely agoraphobic.
I had been fully assessed by a medical team consisting of a psychiatrist, psychiatric doctor and it was clear that anti depresants caused me awful side effects, therefore I was prescribed a benzodiazepine which had helped me greatly. I am not saying that a people suite all medications, instead different medications suit different people.
It was in a conversation with my mum that the practice manager implied that I looked very well, in fact commented on my very tidy appearance and also the fact that I seemed to be quite bright? Hang on a minute here, I thought:shades:
My mum said that they were expecting me to have knotty hair, unwashed and be scruffy. I mean how stupid, if they were to look at my medical files or diagnosis (which this doctor has flatly refused to do) then some of these professionals assume that having anxiety means
1. we cannot wash
2. We look ill
3. We cannot care for ourselves at all
What type of positive encouragement is that?
This logic of thinking seems to be ridiculous and I often wonder if this is the reason for some people not getting the correct treatment.
I did a google on this and came accross a website which made me giggle in the mysery of my agoraphobia. It's called http://butyoudontlooksick.com/
This young woman has experienced this same situation and made a website.
She also sells products, one particular T-shirt she sells has "My disabling chronic illness is more real than your imaginary medical expertise" which made me laugh. I thought about getting this for next visit to the GP who has withdrawn my medication. On second thoughts she seemed to have no sense of humour and was very stone faced, so I thought twice about this idea ;)
I wondered how many people writing on this forum would like to actually be able to contribute to society? I bet it's quite a few, yet how many are getting therapy or the correct therapy or medication I wonder, simply because of how they look or come accross?
I seem to have also been lied too about the particular medication I had withdrawn, being told it was restricted. After speaking to NICE I later found and have in writing that there are no restrictions on this medication?
I have spoken to pals who were full of support and are looking into this situation.
So, to suffer with anxiety here is to live in a box with a nurse popping in and out to help you. Instead of positive encouragement and support to help a person get back to some type of normal life?
I just felt having a little vent about how looks can be deceiving
thanks for reading