Possible Illness - WWYD?

[AbbyGally]

Sorry for WWYD rather than AIBU or if should have posted in Health, but for traffic:

From a position of medical knowledge and experience of the condition itself, although not as the family practitioner, if one of a couple who are friends (not close, but friends) showed evidence of possible beginnings of a degenerative disease, how would you approach it?

With prior experience, gently questioning the possible manifestations directly may well result in defensiveness/minimising. But pointing it out to the spouse seems like it might be subversive/going behind the back of the one who may benefit from medical care. Or is it just none of anybody else's business?

Medical intervention would be beneficial, if the suspicion is correct, and sooner rather than later.

Have deliberately kept everything unidentifiable, no further detail should really be necessary.

Many thanks in advance...

[SecretSpy]

I'd mention it to the potential patient. In an assuming that they've seen the doctor kind of way.

Eg so is the gp sending you for some tests for that tremor then? I can recommend someone if you like?

And I'd not keep it a secret from the spouse if I thought they were ignoring it /hiding it. Assuming you know them socially or family, and you've an idea about how receptive they'll be

[HopelesslydevotedtoGu]

If there was a benefit from early intervention, then yes I would mention it, either to the person or the spouse, whoever would listen.

Some people bury their head in the sand about their health, or aren't very observant, and it would be a shame if their outcome was worse when you could have alerted them.

The trick is to make them take it seriously enough to see their GP, without scaring them half to death.

How certain are you about your suspicions though? I was repeatedly warned by a complementary therapist that I probably had an incurable terminal condition, despite there being no reasonable justification for thinking this, and it really put me off spending any time with them as they kept worrying that I hadn't sought a diagnosis!

[AbbyGally]

Hi,

Thanks for your replies - one of those things that could be an indicator, but also possibly benign (although, with past experience of the same/similar condition(s) aware of how it can manifest).

Definitely without wanting to scaremonger, but with a wish to flag it only if it wouldn't be intrusive. It's possible that a medical opinion HAS already been sought, of course, but that fact not shared.

Really appreciate the feedback!!!

[AbbyGally]

Hi,

Thanks for your replies - one of those things that could be an indicator, but also possibly benign (although, with past experience of the same/similar condition(s) aware of how it can manifest and also begin).

Definitely without wanting to scaremonger, but with a wish to flag it only if it wouldn't be intrusive. It's possible that a medical opinion HAS already been sought, of course, but that fact not shared.

Really appreciate the feedback!!!