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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that doctors should be better trained to deal with mental illness?

46 replies

Empusa · 28/06/2012 15:09

I'm getting so sick of having to deal with doctors who don't seem to have a clue (at best) when dealing with mental illness.

Here's just a few of the fun comments heard over the years by me, DH and one of my friends.

DH - I've been struggling with depression since I was 7
Doctor - Why? Were you beaten as a child then? Haha!
DH & me - Shock

Doctor to friend after hearing her describe her depression -
You can't be depressed, you are too articulate

While I was in hospital due to severe dehydration due to hyperemesis during my pregnancy, DH went to the doctor as his depression was getting worse
You and your wife are very stressy people, that's probably what's making your wife ill. [...] You should have made a different decision when you found out your wife was pregnant. The child will probably get taken away from you.

After being told that I'd been stopping myself eating as a way of self harming
Well you aren't underweight so it's nothing to worry about

When being told about DH's long history of depression the doctor asked if he took any street drugs. Then refused to believe him when he said no. Hmm And repeatedly brought it up through out the appointment.

OP posts:
ReallyTired · 28/06/2012 15:11

You have the right to change GP. There are good GPs out there. I'm sorry you got a duff one.

Original poster
Empusa · 28/06/2012 15:15

That's the problem. Those are all from different GP's :(

OP posts:
fruitysummer · 28/06/2012 15:34

Yes I think they should be better trained and should try and have a specialist in each surgery, or at least one that go round a local area and be there on a specific day.

On the other hand, I have friends and I use the term loosely who regularly claim depression, anxiety, etc in a bid to be prescribed happy pills and get time off work. There is nothing fucking wrong with them (they admit this) that a good kick up the arse wouldn't cure. I think that is why so many doctors are blase about it!.

valiumredhead · 28/06/2012 15:38

I agree, the lack of knowledge is appalling, ime good GP's are few and far between.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 28/06/2012 15:41

presumably though they should refer you to the relevant specialist?? GP's are just that aren't they - General practicioners, so jack of all trades, master of none.

valiumredhead · 28/06/2012 15:42

Yes they should but quite often don't ime betty

Bubbless · 28/06/2012 15:43

i went to the doctors at 15 as i was severely depressed and not functioning- i was asked to fill in a questionnaire then prescribed pills; the doctor didnt say a single word to me :/

they dont care, and i agree- need more training.. lots more training..

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 28/06/2012 15:44

That I can believe Valium but I dont see why they cant. If they cant deal with the issues the patient has then they should refer them to someone who can...I dont see why its such a big deal to them.

Sadly, depression is one of the easiest illnesses to fake and I know a handful of people who have done that to get off work......as usual the minority ruin it for the majority. Thats why I think these docs just prescribe anti depressants and send you on your way without actually trying to get to the root of the problem.

EXmrsmascarahead · 28/06/2012 15:46

I agree there does need to be more education and services need improving. When I took my DD (she was 16) to discuss her depression, a known side effect of her medication, the response of the GP was 'what do you want me to do about it'. It was only after repeated visits, citing NICE and making sure they knew I wasn't going away that anything was done. Even when my DD said that she was considering suicide wasn't enough for them to act.
The mental health team IMO where even worse, 1 appointment and call us if you don't feel any better.

valiumredhead · 28/06/2012 15:48

Oh yes "what do you want me to do about it?" seems to be the bog standard reaction to most things ime Hmm

pullupapew · 28/06/2012 15:50

I think some GPs should be better trained to deal with illness full stop.

I have had a wide, wide range of experiences with doctors, some GPs are beyond shit and basically say 'it's probably a virus' to everything.

Other GPs are fabulous and really listen, ask questions and investigate.

Unfortunately all GPs are human, some humans are idiots, therefore some GPs are idiots.

Sorry you've had these experiences OP - at least you know they are wrong and have not accepted the comments. Keep pushing for what you need, I find the system works OK when you tell rather than ask.

valiumredhead · 28/06/2012 15:50

The mental health team IMO where even worse, 1 appointment and call us if you don't feel any better

After having my ds I was admitted to a mother and baby unit - ended up being there nearly 9 months, I was told by the duty doctor who admitted me, not to cry because people lose sympathy after a while. I cannot tell you how terrified that made me feel because it was clear she had no idea what she was talking about Sad

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 28/06/2012 15:52

My sister had some mental health issues a couple of years ago...her doctor kept prescribing her valium....so she was a depressive on the verge of a breakdown on a diet of anti d's, valium and wine!!! Not really what she needed at all!

ChunkysMum · 28/06/2012 15:52

I'm training to be a doctor (final year med student) and I have myself been shocked at a minority of people in the medical professions attitudes both towards mental health and in general.

Infact a teaching consultant (during teaching) recently said something along the lines of "sometimes you look at someone in A & E and know they're a crack head waste of space but you have to treat them anyway." Ahh!

All I can say is that I will strive to have a better knowledge and understanding than some and I am sorry that you have come across these people.

valiumredhead · 28/06/2012 15:53

Thank you! chunkys :)

ScrambledSmegs · 28/06/2012 15:56

My GP is bloody lovely, but there's a three week wait to see her. The problem is that the best GP's are almost always well-known and therefore nigh-on impossible to get to see.

Sorry to hear you've had stupid comments Empusa Sad. It's no surprise that there's a shit attitude to mental health in this country if the professionals come out with such bollocks.

valiumredhead · 28/06/2012 15:57

My GP atm is fantastic too, there are good ones out there.

Pochemuchka · 28/06/2012 15:57

I've found you get one extreme or the other. When I was a teenager my doctor immediately said 'I'm not giving you any drugs, we'll sort it another way'. Whereas a friend of mine who was diagnosed just this week was immediately put on citalopram, told she had no choice but to take it Hmm none of the effects/side effects etc explained and had to force the issue of getting referred for therapy. She had literally filled in one of those depression inventories and there y'go - citalopram, to be reviewed in one month!
I am Shock about your experiences Empusa but sadly when I think about it I'm not surprised. I think there is still a lot of ignorance about MH issues. If I didn't work in the field my friend would be none the wiser about the drug etc. How can that help with recovery?!

Tee2072 · 28/06/2012 16:00

My GP is fantastic, in fact all the ones in my practice are.

The one who made me go Hmm was my diabetes doctor who took it upon himself to tell me I should go off my antid's because I don't really need them. Okay then...

borninastorm · 28/06/2012 16:03

I was referred by my GP because of PTSD and the area mental health team couldn't help me because they didn't have enough funds/therapists to treat me with CBT. I was basically told that i wasn't mentally I'll enough for treatment.

Years before when I approached my GP about PND after having ds1 he told me I was too young to have it and sent me away with a relaxation tape. It took me many months to go back and actually get my PND treated.

Doctors need more training (and for some, morer compassioin and empathy would be good) and we need more funding for mental health. But the money's not there for either unfortunately.

Mrbojangles1 · 28/06/2012 16:04

Moveing gp will no help my oh is a nurse and says

They are jacks of all trades and masters of none Most gps will have a few things they know a lot about their areas of intrest or if their local population is rone to certain types of illness but other than that they know nowt

My oh usually has to tell our doctor what pills to dish out and you often find then looking in the book to see what drugs to give or what the hell is worng

Half the time i think we would all be better if we ot rid of all the gps used google and let the chemists perscribe Grin

Mrbojangles1 · 28/06/2012 16:07

The fact is to task one person to know about every type of illness is crazy thats why hospital doctors are specialists

Gps are more for sign posting if you think any diffrent you areConfused

if you have a general idea what wrong with you ask gp to refer you on to a SPECIALIST.

Alameda · 28/06/2012 16:10

you're not being unreasonable, a lot of psychiatrists come out with weird shit as well and they have specialised? One told me last year I was in psych hospital because I 'read too much', lucky he didn't saw off my clitoris really Confused

EXmrsmascarahead · 28/06/2012 16:11

I asked unti iI was blue in the face and was an annoyance, in fact DDs records have a comment about me and my pester power, the problem is they are reluctant to refer because there aren't the specialists available and it's far easier to prescribe some pills and send you on your way.

MMMarmite · 28/06/2012 16:18

Some GPs are called "GPs with a special interest", with more expertise in a particular area - you could ask the practices near you if they have a GP with a special interest in mental health. I agree with you though, no-one should be making those comments.