Most horrendous Dr experience

[Deb79]

Hi All,

Me again. So today I went to a Dr, not my own to ask for something to take the edge of my anxiety. 

I explained to her that I was having intrusive thoughts about hurting my self and my sons (these have been my themes all along) and she told me she was going to have to esculate it and told me I should go to A & E. Then she asked me if I was hearing voices (which I'm not). P.s. I have no incline to hurt myself, or my children or anyone else...

She has just made me feel so down in the dumps it's unreal. I am under the care of an OCD specialist and have been taking medication for 6 weeks. 

 

[PhilM]

Unfortunately there is still much ignorance in the medical profession about the reality of OCD although I'd like to think it's changed some what since I was diagnosed in the mid-90s. I found the hard way that the "best" way to discuss OCD with a health professional I'd not seen before was to talk about OCD in a general way to see how they reacted and get a sense of what knowledge they had. Some times it worked and sometimes it didn't.

I can understand why you're feeling down but please try not to let one doctor's ignorance about OCD cause you to be overly distressed. When she asked about "hearing voices" etc. she was perhaps just "ticking boxes" as the saying goes.

[paradoxer]

Concur with the above, it's apparent there's still a remarkable lack of understanding of OCD by those who should be more informed. Better, as Phil has pointed out - to sound things out. After all, the content of  OCD is irrelevant, particularly to a regular doctor. A reference to anxiety would do it. 

In terms of feeling down, the doctor's ignorance is her problem. 

Edited July 6, 2019 by paradoxer

[gingerbreadgirl]

This kind of thing makes me really cross. There is so much ignorance about ocd among people who should really know better. 

As hard as it is try not to let this get to you too much. It happens but I do think things are getting better xx 

[Deb79]

Thank you for your replies everyone. 

She just really scared me, making me doubt I have OCD and I'm actually capable of acting out my thoughts x x x

[BelAnna]

1 hour ago, Deb79 said:

Thank you for your replies everyone. 

She just really scared me, making me doubt I have OCD and I'm actually capable of acting out my thoughts x x x

That's awful of the GP Deb!

It's definitely OCD. She massively jumped to conclusions and unofficially decided that you must have paranoid schizophrenia or a psychotic condition, without asking more about your thoughts and actions.

Are things ok now?

xx

[Deb79]

I am a little less distressed than I was when I left her offices, and so far no men/women in white coats have came to my door

Still just a little shaken from the experience x

 

16 minutes ago, BelAnna said:

That's awful of the GP Deb!

It's definitely OCD. She massively jumped to conclusions and unofficially decided that you must have paranoid schizophrenia or a psychotic condition, without asking more about your thoughts and actions.

Are things ok now?

xx

 

[PhilM]

I understand completely your distress as I've had similar experiences myself and the nature of "my" OCD is similar to yours. Remember though that this experience shows the ignorance that's still out there and has nothing to do with your true nature - that's not reassurance but a fact.

[PhilM]

I don't normally "bump" posts as I know it's considered bad online etiquette but I'm doing so on this occasion because I think this post is important and Deb deserves some more support.

[PolarBear]

I caution everyone to not divulge the exact nature of their obsessions to a medical doctor unless that person can prove to you that they have competency with OCD knowledge.

[Black]

Hope you’re ok deb, very ignorant doctor, so sorry that happened

[Deb79]

7 hours ago, PolarBear said:

I caution everyone to not divulge the exact nature of their obsessions to a medical doctor unless that person can prove to you that they have competency with OCD knowledge.

Very good advise polar bear!! 

[malina]

That is good advice, but also kind of sad that you have to hide things from a medical professional who is supposed to be there to help you. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience Deb, the first therapists I saw (university counsellors) were completely useless. I didn't know that I had OCD and they didn't recognise it and just gave me completely unhelpful advice. Finding someone who specialises in CBT for OCD really changed my life for the better!

[Deb79]

Thanks Malina, 

Yeah it's just frustrating that one thing that someone can say to you can tip you right over the edge. 

I have been seeing a therapist who specialises is OCD, have another appointment with her on Friday. 

I just need to get into a better frame of mind and start fighting back harder as currently OCD is whipping me badly

X x