To think these comments left by my gp were rude

[Ispy9]

This isn’t really relevant anymore as I am in a much better place now than I was but I’m still quite annoyed about it. A year ago I was suffering quite badly with anxiety and depression so I went and saw my GP about it.

I recently downloaded the NHS App and I thought I’d have a look through my notes. I saw that on the appointment about my mental health my GP had wrote these notes.

‘Examination: Not sleeping, not looking after herself. Unkempt, looking down, shoulders hunched, not wearing a bra, hair not brushed’

aibu to think these comments on my file are quite rude?

I think they're just a factual record of how you appeared?

No it’s just part of their mini mental state - that just reflects on how low you were really I wouldn’t think too much in to it x

Are they accurate? If so I think it's just a factual observation from the GP

They were to reflect how you presented during your period of depression and I assume were factual in which case they were rude but observations. It would go to evidence that you were depressed.

If you think you did not present like that then that would be different.

It's genuinely just part of a standard assessment, it's good practice to do what's called a mental state exam, it's not being rude although not really comfortable Reading either.

Not rude. It's a statement of fact and relevant to your state of mind at the time - IE you weren't taking good care of yourself. At future appointments other GPs will be able to compare and see if their is an improvement or deterioration.

*weren't not were

'Not wearing a bra' is a bloody weird observation, it's not the law to wear one! The rest I can see is relevant to how you were feeling at the time.

The bra comment is a bit off. They're not mandatory.

I'm not sure about the not wearing a bra? How is that relevant. Like inappropriately dressed fair enough but not wearing a bra?

It is part of a mental health assessment, is covers not just what you say but how you appear ie are you still bothered about brushing your hair etc or are you so low you have no motivation to do this.
it’s not judgemental it’s simply a record of the fact you were in such a bad place your appearance and demeanour represented this.

It’s just a factual observation, it’s understandable it’s a tough read for you. Not sure the comment about the bra was called for mind you.

Is it factual?

They place a lot of store on how people present themselves when justifying a diagnosis of depression. Stereotypically, depressed people often reduce their personal grooming. So they mention it in the notes as evidence you’re depressed. It isn’t a criticism or judgement.

I just hope they also realise that appearing well groomed doesn’t mean somebody isn’t depressed.

Most of it is just an indication of your poor mental state at the time.
Don't think the comment about the lack of bra was needed though.

I didn’t think people could access their nhs notes like this! I definitely can’t. It’s not the nicest thing to hear but if it’s factual, your physical appearance could corroborate your mental state

If those things were truthful, the GP had every right to say them as an indication of your mental health at that time. He/she wasn't being rude, just factual

No not at all, they are describing your appearance and that can be useful information for your next visit. Eg are you worse, better etc. I think YABU

Why on earth would they put about you not wearing a bra. That in itself is so odd.

I think not wearing a bra could be relevant, as whilst they aren’t mandatory, for ladies with large boobs (myself included) it doesn’t look good to go out without a bra. People will notice, and may consider it under the unkempt heading. I personally would never go out without a bra, so if I did, I’d think it would be something of more for the GP to observe

Thank you all. Yes I think the comment about the no bra is strange

@santorinii you have to download the NHS app and ask at your GP reception to enable you to access certain things on the app. You have to bring in ID. Or you can register for online services on the app and it will ask you to prove who you are then you can access your records

You can through the NHS app apparently. I'm not looking, it'll only piss me off!

As PP have said, it is a Mental state exam record. Not nice to see, but suggests they were doing a proper job in documenting a full assessment. Examination findings often aren't pretty - they are a factual record to justify management plan and for reference for future clinicians. Try not to feel embarrassed by it - any medic reading it will see someone who is unwell, nothing more.

They‘re relevant observations. You were seeing the GP about depression. Things like not brushing your hair, nor showering, posture, clothes can be outward signs of mental health issues.

Oh god I dread to think what my GP notes read like, that's how I look on a normal day