Is the Professional Opinion Always Law and True? Knowing your Yourself and your Rights

I had another post planned for the week, but this one rings true to what has been going on in my life recently – so a short, sweet post is in stall for all you readers.

I have promoted in my previous posts that those in recovery need to trust the professionals and go with what they say and recommend. While this is true for the majority of the time, there are exceptions which arise during treatment. This was the case for me on Monday. My experience is shared below and while I endured what the following describes, I know that this same service has worked wonders for friends and acquaintances but I feel the need to express that this is not always the case.

It was my first initial assessment with the community mental health services in my region. Having been referred here by my GP, I went in with an open, honest mind and was expecting the usual from a typical psychiatric service assessment – a survey, a chat with one of the Doctors or psychologists, a wait while they discuss, and then a decision on where to go – all-in-all around 2 hours of work. My assessment didn’t even last 50 minutes, was with one Doctor and one nurse who was taking notes. No questions asked about my previous history, minimal effort taken to understand my current status, my past, my personality or how I function as a person in daily life activities. Instead; I was asked inappropriate questions on my financial status, their mobile phones were beeping and buzzing, and was informed that my main problem in my life was my loneliness – not the crippling anxiety and depression that prevent me from participating in normal life tasks as much as I could/would like, let alone socialising.

What a revelation – my five years of struggling with my mental health was all under false pretense!

Furthermore, the psychiatrist didn’t want to even touch my medication, without hesitation I was told that they “were not sure what else they could do” – one of the main reasons my GP referred me to a mental health professional was for them to have a greater knowledge of my medications and alternatives that could benefit. Now, before you start – I fully understand that medication is not the only solution to any mental health issue, but I’m sure anyone would tell you that when the medication is right and it ‘clicks’, oh-boy things get a lot easier and becomes that little bit more doable. This can be a hell of a difference: being able to get out of your car when you have arrived at school or university; or being able to talk to your fellow classmates at not feel like a burning inferno inside; or simply getting up and out of bed in the morning after 15 minutes and not an hour.

We wrapped up the assessment process with the doctor needing to have a think about what external services could be of use to me, because “loneliness” doesn’t quite qualify under their scope of support offered. With that, they switly left the room, leaving me to grab my things and see my own way out.

I was left absolutely deflated, invalidated, numb, and absolutely embarrassed.

No one should ever feel this way ever – especially in treatment for health issues, particularly mental health.

I allowed myself the afternoon to stew and let the situation get the better of me – otherwise it would have built up and exploded at a later, and probably inappropriate, place and time. I gathered myself, had a good yarn with a few close pals (yes Doctor – I do actually have people I can talk to!), and forcefully got myself back into life’s happenings.

Its important for us all to know our rights when in treatment for our mental health issues. We have a right to lodge formal comments and complaints against certain services if we have encountered something we feel needs to be brought to attention and dealt with. Earlier the next morning, I did just that.

There is absolutely nothing wrong about seeking a second opinion on what your assigned health professional has diagnosed you with, or has prescribed you with, or chosen x as the type of treatment for you. It means you are passionate about ensuring that both you and your treatment team understand you and your health issues and ensure that the best way forward is chosen where both parties (the service and yourself) are satisfied with.

Its important that you feel heard, feel acknowledged, and feel considered in your treatment. After all, you are the one that will need to make sure what you discover and learn throughout your treatment and recovery lasts and is applicable to your life and your situation.

Never be afraid to ask questions, I actually advise this.

Be active in your treatment. Be involved in your recovery. Understand what you have and what has been proven to work. Seek out knowledge. If the professionals don’t know how you are feeling – especially if you are uncertain about what they have said – then it may all just be a waste of time.

Your voice is valid,

You are important.

Understand yourself,

Make sure others understand you.

Rawing Meg

xx