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I Went For Help And This Is What I Got

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Misera1013

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I've been spending most of my time in the combat area, but I have several other traumas that you all may be able to help me with to. Sorry, but my initial exposure here scared me away, but I want to try again.

This is from June 3rd.

Well, today was not fun. Today was terrible.

I tried to make an appt. at the VA the other day to talk to someone again about this PTSD stuff. I was told that since I missed 2 appts I was out of luck and would have to walk in and sit and to be seen. It did not matter that I missed the one appt because I was in the hospital and heavily medicated and not able to call and cancel my appt. The other one I was out of state getting treated for the same illness and not home to receive a letter telling me when my appt was. There for I missed an appt. They did not care. They did not care that I am not able to go ALONE to sit at the clinic and wait to be seen.

Thankfully I have a saint of a friend who I recently made who is a vet and 100% disabled and said she would go with me. So, she sat all day with me there. She also encouraged me to call the patient advocacy at the main clinic etc. She was a wonderful support. I could not have made it through today without her. It was still hard with her support.

After several hours I was called back. I saw the same "psychiatric clinical specialist" I saw on 2 other occasions. This is now a total of 3, yes 3, times I have seen this lady. I go back. She starts off by making me feel like I am a big whiny baby for coming in. She has a rude tone, that is accusing. She continues to ask me what meds I am on now and why I have not been in sooner. I explain about my extended illness that has led me all over the country for treatment. She gave the impression it was no big deal. Well, my health and illness was a big deal to me. I show her my meds. She basically tells me my Neuro Dr. is a quack who doesn't know what he is doing, and he doesn't have me on any meds for my migraines. She won't put me on any meds, and wants all of my meds changed. She also wants the meds my family Dr gave me to go away too. I should not be on sleep meds. All my meds are wrong. All my Dr.s are wrong!! I tell her about how I am having issues in my life, in my marriage, etc with the PTSD. I am unable to go places alone, I am having issues in public, with strangers, etc. She says, "You have never had these problems before! You have always gone to your appts alone, and to work alone fine." I had to inform her that she does NOT know everything about me. My husband and I work at the same place and ride to and from work every single day. Also my husband has gone with me every time I have left the house in the last year except MAYBE 4 times. I also mentioned my attempted kidnapping. She looked at me and asked, "Did that REALLY happen?!" Uhhhh, YES it did! Then, as I was leaving she told me how if I missed one more appt I would never be seen in that clinic again! Also, that as a walk in I RUINED her day, and put her 4 patients behind! When I walked back into the waiting room, there were two people out there, and one was my friend waiting for me.

I was so upset!!!!!!!!! Mind you I did not get snappy, or loud, or anything with her. I can never think of things to say or come back with when people are mean to me. I think of things after. I get angry after!

I have made an appt with a civilian therapist office. I asked if the specialize and know how to deal with complex traumas and PTSD along with "combat" PTSD. They lady said, "Yes." I have an appt next Friday. I pray that they will help me, and not treat me like a piece of crap on their shoe.

Oh, also the me not being able to go out alone is just a phobia. We just needs to put me on some meds, and then taper them down, and take me off. I'll be fine. No big deal.

I have an appointment with a civilian therapist tomorrow June 10th. I'll let you all know how it goes, but I'm afraid.
 
Hi Misera,

Definitely not a good experience and I am glad your friend was there for you. I hope you next appointment is more positive.

Debbie
 
Misera, I am so furious for you. You were deeply mistreated. I hope that your appointment today goes much better. If it will help you, you could make some notes on things to say if you are feeling mistreated. I am bad of thinking of things on the spot or even remembering pre-baked ideas on what to say in the heat of the moment, but I think if I had a couple notes maybe I would be able to say something effective and not rude but not passive.

Good luck. I'm sending my support.
 
Reading the description of your appointment from the 3rd made me shudder. How disgusting that you were treated like that :( Really hoping the appointment with the civilian therapist goes so so much better and that this person will actually take the time to listen to you rather than decide for you. Help should be ... helpful! I hope this will be the case :)
 
Thank you all for the support. I am going to try and make notes before I go in about things I want to hit on. I am paranoid now about being believed. I have never made anything up. The things that have happened and I can't remember it all, I just want the truth! No matter what these things have caused me to have a certain "outlook" on life, and I do not feel safe being alone. No matter what, I will let you all know what happens. Thank you again.
 
It makes me sick! I know that this happens and it makes me sick :( :( :(

MissAntiSunshine has a great idea to take notes with you and a notebook. I would also make sure they know that if your meds are working, you want to stay on them IF AT ALL POSSIBLE AT THIS TIME. It's a touchy subject with most drs and has to be raised firmly yet politely. For some reason there seems to be a reason drs like to think they need to change everything, like indoor decorators when a new client comes in. You don't have to allow it but there are ways of working with them so they will work with you. When push comes to shove, remember you are the client and they work for you but I'm finding using sugar works better than vinegar.

If you would feel better, you are allowed to take in your friend. Just sign them onto your release of med info prior to going in. That is perfectly acceptable. Don't feel you have to 'buck up' if you would like the support, everyone is entitled to have it. I also write out which meds I'm taking and categorize them by each need, not just by dr. Note the dose as well.

I wouldn't talk down another dr but I have alluded to the fact that I've had trouble finding a "good fit" *smile*. They know exactly what I mean without having to defend their own. And it may help them to work a little harder on their bedside manners.

I'm so sorry about what happened to you, it should never happen.

Please take care,
Rain
 
Wow, Rain I had no idea I could take someone IN with me! You me into my session?! Like for support? Or am I understanding this wrong? I must be.

I will make some notes. Thank you all for the supposrt and ideas.

I just don't want my migraine meds messed up. My family Dr upp
ed some of them today. I'm. Ok with that. I've had and am still having a migraine since Monday, they just don't know what elsee to put me on with this cocktail of meds.
 
Is there anyone whom you can report this woman to? She shouldn't be working as a
"psychiatric clinical specialist" if this is how she treats patients who come in for help. I'm willing to bet you're not the only person she talks to like that. I would look into reporting this incident to her superiors.
 
I totally agree with Crl1983, this woman should not be able to treat people like that! You went there for help and she made you leave feeling so much worse. Like your wasting HER time. She is abusing her postion. Being mean to vunerable people. Not right, not right at all! I am so sorry that happened to you. I hope that your next appt will be with someone that has a good heart and gives you the help that you deserve.
 
Sorry Misera - you had to endure that kind of treatment from a professional -- What a b*tch! My therapist would never ever treat me like that.

I'd report her if I were you.
 
What you dealt with from her was totally unacceptable. There's no reason for you to tolerate that kind of treatment from anyone, especially a professional. I really hope your civilian T is more civilized (no pun intended). Counselors like her are the reason that I started specifically requesting male therapists. This is going to sound terrible sexist but women Ts I've discovered are far more likely to be confrontational and self serving. I think it's an attempt on their part to convey themselves as confident and equally tough as men but they just end up being bitchy.
 
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