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Original poster

To be annoyed at GP attributing physical health problems to mental/emotional state

55 replies

Betty789 · 11/07/2024 21:55

I have ongoing unresolved health issues.

Might be long covid, or an autoimmune issue...lots of investigation going on.

It is very frustrating, and it's causing me no end of stress and worry as I don't know what's wrong and I'm worried I won't be able to keep working.

Whenever I have a bad spell, or am in for tests, the GP always makes a comment about my emotional state. Today I was in for bloods and was explaining my concerns about seeming to catch so many more bugs now, which impact on my ongoing condition. I wondered if there was some reason my immune system was low, and she waffled something me being susceptible to catching things with my "physical and emotional stress".

I also noticed in my notes that she had put me down as being "distressed" at some point.

What I am, is incredibly pissed off that i have experienced this spell of ill health which is currently unexplained and with no end in sight! Prior to becoming ill I was not stressed or distressed in any way, and I don't understand how this has somehow become part of my "case"!

AIBU to think it is unhelpful to have this emphasis on my (presumed) emotional state in my notes? I really just want to find out what's wrong with me!

OP posts:
Original poster
Betty789 · 11/07/2024 22:38

Oh @JaceLancs sorry, I didn't see your post. That's awful for you I'm so sorry.
What is your auto immune condition? And how did you find out about your vitamin deficiency?

OP posts:
Original poster
Betty789 · 11/07/2024 22:36

Thank you, these are really helpful and interesting responses. I feel less annoyed already!
I don't think she thinks I'm making it up...but I do get a sense that she feels I am somehow emotionally stressed as well as being physically* unwell, whereas I feel I am upset/worried because I am physically *unwell. And if I got better physically I'd be very happy and fine!
I understand that chronic conditions can lead to secondary depression, but I don't think that's what she is referencing.
@Echodaisy7 it's early days, and they have ruled out things such as RA, lupus, any form of cancer. Bloods are mainly fine so I think it will boil down to a diagnosis of exclusion with something like long covid. Although obviously I'm hoping not.
I did wonder about POTs actually, what were your symptoms?

OP posts:
JaceLancs · 11/07/2024 22:35

It’s so much easier to dismiss people in this way and sadly more common if you are female
I had to go private to find out I had an auto immune condition, connective tissue disorder, severe vitamin deficiency caused by malabsorption, am allergic to many things including gluten and dairy, have a rectal prolapse and need a knee replacement in both knees - the NHS wouldn’t believe HRT actually caused my anxiety until I stopped it and miraculously improved
I suspect I’ve also got long covid or some sort of post viral fatigue syndrome
I am not depressed or stressed or anxious just unhappy that my health is so bad it limits my life

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 11/07/2024 22:10

Your GP has a point though. I have several chronic health conditions and the stress caused by one does worsen the others and also make me susceptible to developing new conditions,

eg, I had recently had a 3rd bout of skin cancer, the stress of which caused my immune system to go into overdrive and now I have a type of scarring alopecia where my immune system is systematically destroying all my hair follicles because it thinks these fast growing cells in my skin are cancer cells.

eg. I have hayfever and during hayfever season my asthma worsens such that a whiff of cigarette smoke or air fresher gives me an asthma attack. If it were not hayfever season, I’d be irritated but not gasping for air like a landed fish.

eg. I suffer from migraines and emotional distress from dealing with the above has caused them to come more frequently and last longer.

The stress and emotions around being poorly does have a physical impact on us. I don’t think the GP was saying it’s all in your head. Also, dealing with many conditions increases risk of them making you suffer depression or health anxiety. So it is a wise doctor that keeps an eye on the mental state of a physically ill patient that has been poorly long term.

Echodaisy7 · 11/07/2024 22:06

This is unfortunately super common. I have Hashimoto's disease (autoimmune hypothyroidism) and my doctor threw antidepressants and counselling at me for months before discovering I actually had an autoimmune disease causing my symptoms.

I recently went back to the GP because I suspected I have POTs and I was very nervous the doctor would blame it on anxiety, but thankfully she didn't! She agreed with me! Which felt like a rarity.

What things has the GP tested you for so far?

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