did you know that if you're mental* you can't have anything physically wrong with you as well

[yesimmental]

It's all in your head

• apologises in advance for the use of the word mental

Apparently you can't have cancer and a common cold at the same time either.

who knew?

Also, if you're over a certain age, it's all part of the ageing process. You name it - what do you expect at your age?

I know from experience that people who have psychiatric conditions and physical conditions often get very poor care for their physical condition. It is extremely unfair.

yes and if you have thyroid problems everything is caused by that ...

Make sure if you have a physical condition and want help for it mention it first and don't bring the MH issue up unless you're asked

I will say that also apparently if you have fibromyalgia EVERYTHING that goes wrong relates to that and doesn't need investigating because, well, it's the fibromyalgia don't you know

That's because HCP's take one look at our file and assume we are putting it on for attention

The only time this happened to me my DH tore the patronising nurse a new hole. Apparently (small village) she ended up getting sacked for similar comments and had a mountain of complaints made against her!

Same if you are fat op, I hope you are ok. Is there anyone else you can see?

I wonder what other medical conditions apparently can't occur simultaneously?

I never mention I'm mental, I'm stable and have been for years but on my computer medical records unfortunately.

Similarly, you can't be pregnant and ill. Any illness is a pregnancy symptom and you knew what you were getting into. God forbid you should be fat then get pregnant, if you lost a limb it would be your own fault.

If you're getting on a bit it's all because of the menopause. That's unless it's just a virus.

A friend was told she should expect her periods to be on the heavy side 'at her age'.

She's 32.

Ah yes apparently I was in A&E so frequently because I just wanted morphine.. they deduced this because of my MH issues. It's so bloody insulting and upsetting.

Well, I'm mentally ill and I frequently have things physically wrong with me. I do, however, have two things going for me when it comes to getting health professionals to take me seriously: I am the proud possessor of a fully-functional Y chromosome and, consequent on the foregoing, a large and manly beard. I am assumed, therefore, to be bearing my condition with stoicism and dignity and would only be troubling the doctor if it were actually serious.

Seriously, get yourself those things - a beard, at the very least - and your healthcare frustrations will just evaporate.

it sucks

yes, beard sounds a good idea

*BreconBeBuggered sounds like me and your friend saw the same HCP - I was told that about my PMT getting far, far worse when I was 34....

Also apparently I never need treatment for my depression. I need to get our more. Or realise that some men are complete shits. Or it's my age....

S'cuse me for asking Tequilla , but how often were you at A&E?

Was it for different reasons, or the same 'emergency' each time?

If you're feeling so fatigued you can barely get out of bed in the morning, then the only thing that will help is yoga. And really, what do you expect a doctor to do about it?

(said to me by a GP)

I don't understand or recognise that kisses. On the contrary, despite being male I recognise very well the frequent scenario of being given the brush off with physical concerns because of underlying MH issues. It's highly distressing and at times has definitely made the MH problem worse.

partial it was the same problem every time. Absolutely horrendous pain in my abdomen, making me throw up it was so bad, dizzy too. I'm quite good with pain but this made me scream.
About 4 times in the space of a year I went. The first 3 times they couldn't find anything wrong with me, so the 4th they tried to have a chat with me about drugs and my mental health issues.

Funnily enough that time they found out it was my gall bladder causing the problems.

Tequila - I liked it when the first thing one doctor on a ward asked me was how long I'd been using drugs intravenously. I had to point out that my arms looked so fucked because doctors and phlebotomists had been sticking needles in me more than daily for over a week, and that my profession actively didn't tolerate being a smack head.

uncleT that's horrible. It really annoys me when they feel the need to make such comments without first even bothering to ask what the situation is.

Another comment I got was 'oh, I see you're a self harmer then' with a raised eyebrow and a frown.

Well actually no, my scars are from 6 years ago.

I will say that also apparently if you have fibromyalgia EVERYTHING that goes wrong relates to that and doesn't need investigating because, well, it's the fibromyalgia don't you know

Exactly what the doctor said to me 6 months ago when I went about possible arthritis. I'd have to be half dead before they agree that I've got anything other than fibromyalgia wrong with me