Out Of Touch And Stupid

[Sleeping Dragon]

I recently visited the hospital for work on some parts that at sixty-nine needed a tune up. As usual, one of the first questions asked by the staff was. “Do you have thoughts of harming yourself or anyone else”?

What always crosses my mind each time the question is asked is. “Ya, nearly every f*cking day since 1967”. But, I obviously don’t say that because the hospital staff wouldn’t have a clue as to how to handle it. And, life is complicated enough.

Like so many of us I’m an expert on problems caused by extreme violence and how to handle them. I’m able to make that claim because I’m still alive, and haven’t killed anyone since I returned from where my government made it a part of everyday life.

Here’s where I’m going with this. How, after all this time, are they still asking that same stupid question? How about this for a change? “Are you having any problems controlling thoughts of extreme violence? If so may we provide help”?

Call me naïve, but I just don’t see how medical professionals can be so out of touch with something that draws so much attention.

 

[holdenmonty]

I'm totally with you on this. I find it annoying when they ask me if I feel like harming myself or others. The thing that made me the most annoyed was when before I started getting help again I told my primary care manager about what was going on and she said ok I have to ask the question. Are you having thoughts about suicide. It was like thanks I already feel crazy enough and now you asked me the "crazy person" question basically telling me that you think I'm crazy. I wish they would phrase it differently. I really like your example of are you having any problems controlling thoughts of extreme violence? I wouldn't feel as crazy if they asked me that question. I know if I was talking to somebody that was having thoughts of suicide I wouldn't be like hey man are you having thoughts of harming yourself or others? I would call it ending it all or something like that. Calling it suicide or harming yourself or others just makes me feel crazy.

 

[atilla]

I've given up on these morons who don't have a clue. I went to jail for a dui once, and when they asked me the question, and i responded with " i don't feel like harming myself, but there's alot of stupid mother fu*kers around here that I feel like killing". Instant segregation from gen. population, which was what i wanted anyway. :0

 

[Lurch]

Take it from someone that works daily in Medical, the proper response is "I am not suicidal or homicidal." That way you can stay true to yourself and let them know you are in control. Everyone that I work with knows I have PTSD, but every time I see a Doc or therapist it is a requirement that they ask.

I answered they way that you wanted to once and the system through a hip out of joint. Comical to see the reaction, but this was also after they didn't take it seriously that I had PTSD during surgery. They got in a heap of trouble.

It still slips too easily out of my mouth when someone say "good morning" my instant response is "not until someone dies". Happened this morning and I thought the E-4 was gonna crap herself. The Chief just started to roll.

 

[Sludge]

I recently visited the hospital for work on some parts that at sixty-nine needed a tune up. As usual, one of the first questions asked by the staff was. “Do you have thoughts of harming yourself or anyone else”?

What always crosses my mind each time the question is asked is. “Ya, nearly every f*cking day since 1967”. But, I obviously don’t say that because the hospital staff wouldn’t have a clue as to how to handle it. And, life is complicated enough.

Like so many of us I’m an expert on problems caused by extreme violence and how to handle them. I’m able to make that claim because I’m still alive, and haven’t killed anyone since I returned from where my government made it a part of everyday life.

Here’s where I’m going with this. How, after all this time, are they still asking that same stupid question? How about this for a change? “Are you having any problems controlling thoughts of extreme violence? If so may we provide help”?

Call me naive, but I just don’t see how medical professionals can be so out of touch with something that draws so much attention.

Sadly, they are required by law due to our lawsuit happy climate.

It means nothing and is just one more bit of red tape. Here is how I handle the Standard VA questions.

Do you ever have thoughts of harming yourself or others?
"Well, I was trained as a weapons technician..."

Do you feel safe at home?
"Yup. But you folks always drag me in here and I have to spend a week hiding in the basement to recover."

Any drug, or alcohol abuse?
"I was a sailor, you tell me. I can't remember..."

Do you smoke?
"Got a light?"

Always gets a laugh from the poor intake nurses that have to ask all that crap.

Once I was asked if I heard voices in my head. I told the Doc, yes, but they tell me to answer "no" to everything. He laughed and flipped me the bird.

Try it sometime. Those poor overworked bastards need a laugh too once in a while.

 

[holdenmonty]

It's sad but kind of funny when you do answer yes. Every time I go to one of my T appointments I have to fill out a questionnaire that basically asks all these standard questions and one time when I was having a really low point I answered yes to having thoughts of harming myself and others and they initially didn't do anything because they are so use to me answering no and then my T caught it and talked to me and basically had me fill out this paper giving myself reasons to live and told me to keep it on me and if I have thoughts again to take out the paper and remind myself of why I should live.

 

[Sarg]

Yeah and you fart around with these people (loose description) and you spend two weeks in the rubber room on the sixth floor. When asked such a question, I think of Sgt. Schultz on Hogans Heros, "I know no-sing, I see no-sing".

Sarg

 

[RTO]

I think your suggestion for a change in wording is excellent.

The biggest problem with The VA is their conflicted role of both adjudicator and healer.

Never the twain shall meet.

 

[Woodman]

I was in group therapy on that question once

"“Do you have thoughts of harming yourself or anyone else”?"

and then one of the dudes went on a rant. He stared at everyone in the room, all of us after what he said. Then I read the group motto on the wall. It was "what's said here stays here." But let me tell ya this shit blew me away, whoa.

They may have moved him to a different level because he wasn't there after that one.

 

[Sludge]

It is funny how one must be a careful judge of one's own caregivers. the good ones actually have a sense of humor. The standard issue ones look at every minute detail of your existence and claim it is a symptom.

I once had one that wanted to lock me away because I was covered in bruises(from a mountain bike trail riding wipeout a week previous) and had answered "no" to the "Anyone at home make you feel unsafe" question. "It is for your own safety. Quit Lying to us we are trying to help."

Irony was I lived (in the E-5 barracks at San Diego) alone and that was clearly in my records.

I think the technical statement is "Can't see the forest for the trees."

 

[OldDoorGunner]

SD, one of the reasons they are asking us old Nam farts is, I am sorry to say. We are the one checking ourselves out, numbers have been going up.......

I was once asked by a lady Doctor if I wanted to kill anyone. I said No, but ask if she had someone in mind!!!! :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO: The look on her face.......Priceless..........

J R

 

[vikingr24]

I wrote an email to the doc, a sort of SITREP that she wanted. I wrote that I had not considered suicide lately.

They were all over me like stink on shit with How often do you feel this way, What meds are you taking NOW, are there guns in the house.....

Jesus H Christ. I was joking.....Lighten up.....And if I want to commit suicide, it's my business as long as I don't harm anyone else.

But I can never say that. Now I am a robot.