To be offend by this

[Confused3393]

I’ve finally got my psychiatrist to agree to give me sleeping pills. He however said to me “ don’t miss-use them” I do have a history of overdose but I don’t think I should be spoken to like I’m a child. I understand they have responsibility to keep their patients safe but making comments like that isn’t helpful.

Seriously?

The GP is dealing with the person they have in front of them, not some textbook patient with no history of abusing drugs they've been prescribed.

A doctor giving advice on a highly addictive drug, who knew they were supposed to be so responsible.

I don't think there's any need to be offended.

Sleeping tablets like zoplicone can be highly addictive and patients can become dependent on them, hence why you should not misuse them. I get why you might be offended but I don't think you should be.

Given that you have a history of overdose your psychiatrist would be irresponsible not to warn you. YABTU.

YABU.

It’s hard without hearing the tone, but you’re most likely being over sensitive here.

Offended because he did his job? How odd. He would be remiss as a doctor to not tell you to be careful.

We obviously can't tell the tone or the manner in which he spoke to you but to me it sounds like he was being responsible in warning you of the importance of taking the pills properly. Why is that treating you like a child? What would have been helpful? For him to have told you it's ok to take as many as you like? Because it's not and he would be struck off.

There's a way to say things without sounding paternalistic and patronising. Not difficult.

Sleeping tablets are so easy to misuse. My mother used to take them all day to sleep away the days when she was depressed.

I wouldn’t take it to heart. I can see why you would be pissed off but he obviously felt he had to actually say it.

"Don't misuse them" is not a professional warning about addiction risks or anything else - it does not provide useful or meaningful information.

I only had a weeks worth and I’ve never misused proscription medication.

What now? How would you have liked him to phrase it?

It most likely wasn’t just said in isolation though user. The op said she had to persuade the doctor to prescribe them. That implies a discussion.

I imagine it's something they would say to all patients they prescribe them to, because they are very addictive. I don't think you should take offence. It can be very easy to misuse sleeping tablets. I don't think people realise how addictive they can be.

I do have a history of overdose

So what did you expect? Seriously?

I think he's been more than reasonable/foolish to give them to you, given your history.

His 'tone' is the least problematic issue here tbh.

More to the point- do YOU think you CAN use them responsibly? If not maybe someone else should be responsible for them.

He, I & others, care more about your life than your pride 🌷

I have absolutely no history of drug use or abuse and my GP says that to me when I go to get zopicline.

You are, quite understandably, being a little oversensitive, I think.

He’s also in the past asked if I can be “trusted with having more than one weeks worth”

It's a bit of a nonsense comment really, someone with suicidal tendencies isn't going to reflect on the comment and think 'Oh actually I won't 'misuse' them doc said not to.'

@Confused3393

He’s also in the past asked if I can be “trusted with having more than one weeks worth”

Given your history of overdoses, can you explain why you're surprised & offended by that?

Sleeping pills. Especially if you’re really struggling which I assume you must be, are easy to misuse, the fact you say you finally got him to prescribe them indicates this has been an ongoing discussion

His warning is fair and as he is your physiatrist it may be worth discussing with him how you took offence at such an innocuous statement and why

YABU. Irrespective of your overdose history, your psychiatrist has a responsibility to point out to all patients, that as a controlled drug, it is essential not to mis-use the sleeping tablets. They have to ensure this is understood by all so put it over in very simple terms.

I think you are being over-sensitive.

It's a bit of a nonsense comment really, someone with suicidal tendencies isn't going to reflect on the comment and think 'Oh actually I won't 'misuse' them doc said not to.'

Well no, but someone desperate for sleep might be tempted to take more than they should.

He however said to me “ don’t miss-use them” I do have a history of overdose but I don’t think I should be spoken to like I’m a child.

Oh ffs. He didn't speak to you like you were a child, children don't get handed sleeping tablets. He spoke to you like you were an adult. Get a grip.