Telling Healthcare Providers

[SimplyComplex]

I was wondering what pros and cons people have found with telling their other healthcare providers about their PTSD diagnosis?

I have had major panic attacks at the doctors (even taking my kids).. I did tell my GP I have an anxiety disorder. But I worry that sharing specifics could have negative consequences. Has anyone had this experience?

 

[charliehotelwhiskey]

Hi SimplyComplex,
I just had a situation last week where I had an anxiety attack at the physiotherapist. See the thread in this forum called "My Poor Physiotherapist". Yesterday I got everything straighten out and we are cool.

It is important with healthcare providers that you are open and give them a heads up about PTSD. Explain to them what happens, how you deal with the attacks and how they can be helpful. I think it is part of building up the trust between you and the healthcare provider.They don't like surprises. :confused:

CHW

 

[ronin47]

I'll be totally honest with you Simply, I'm very selective about how and when I tell non-mental health doctors and nurses about my PTSD. The reason for this is in the past when I tell someone like the intake nurse about it whatever ailment I came in for gets immediately written off as a panic attack. The last time I went to the emergency room and described my symptoms the intake nurse asked me, "Do you have anxiety?" and I pretended I didn't know what she was talking about.

Usually I wait until I actually have a chance to speak to a physician face to face before I go into any real detail about my mental health issues. Once I'm with a doctor I'm fairly comfortable talking about it and have gotten good responses. I don't really like nurses and try to avoid talking with them much if I can.

 

[SimplyComplex]

I think both is good advice. I think I will have to weigh the situation to decide.

 

[charliehotelwhiskey]

You are right SimplyComplex each situation is different. Sometimes you make the right decision sometimes you make the wrong decision like what happened to me. I never went into details about the PTSD, just that I have it and that is all.

Good Luck

Take Care

CHW

 

[OKRADLAK]

I choose NO!!!!

When I had a blood problem going on, the idiot fool of a "doctor" told me is was stress. HUH? Now everything is "stress".

By the time I finally got to a hema, he was like, "What took you so long?!"

Same with a cyst I had that exploded in my gut. I was in terrible pain and went to the ER and the Dr said, "You don't look like you're in pain!"

Next day in urgent care, Dr did ultra sound and said, "You had a cyst that exploded!" I did not even know that was possible. And I am OK----it solved it!! LOL.

So far, so good, so I am glad, but I learned to tell non-mental health professionals that I am doing great! <Big Fake Grin>:D

This is why I FEAR Electronic Health Records which would have all this data, right or wrong, right there to be seen by any Dr. There is a lot of wrong stuff they never correct ----I was once confused with a pt with Bipolar which I do not have........

........and to get it corrected, you have to fill out a form and even then, the old data is not removed, but your new note is simply added, saying you disagree.This is CYA for the Dr in case you do have what you say you don't.