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.

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

You are seeing a psych. You have a history of overdose. It's hardly surprising that the subject has been raised. I do think you need to stop lashing out and being offended here.

Asking someone if they can be trusted is a bit patronising. Saying do you think you can manage x amount of medication safely is different.

"He’s also in the past asked if I can be “trusted with having more than one weeks worth”
He should be literally asking whether you are still having suicidal thoughts or wish to harm yourself - unless they also asked you that too?

You'd have to presume, desperate for sleep or otherwise, the doctor would have given a limited amount to prevent misuse given the circumstances?

His language leaves a lot to be desired it's true op. But the message is reasonable.

He’s literally just doing his job and trying to care for you as best he can. He’d be remiss not to warn of potential dangers with prescribed medication even if you didn’t have the history you do.
Asking if you can be trusted with more than a weeks worth of meds is a valid concern if you’ve overdosed before.

Yes taking into account your medical history when prescribing treatment. I'd say that's a doctor doing his job. He's treating the whole person. Which is what he should be doing.

He's not yes

Presumably your prescription is for a minimal amount, unlikely to cause you harm if misused. It's your doctor's JOB to remind you of any potential dangers from your prescription, particularly with your history.

I'm on your psychiatrists side here.

Jesus wept, I can't get them at all and have no history of PTSD and utterly dire PTSD. Ridiculous to get offended by a warning. Take the drugs and run. Don't I wish! If I could just break up this horrible jag of insomnia (it's bad this time of year as it's running up the anniversary of my child's death).

He was doing his job. He won’t have meant to upset or offend you and you shouldn’t be offended that he cares for your wellbeing.

If you had a discussion prior to that statement, I would posit the notion that something may have been said for him to feel the need to press that point home, or it may be because of your history. Either way, he has your well-being at heart.

I’ve said I’m not feeling at risk at all at the moment.

I think it's a fairly standard warning, tbf.

I get that but coupled with the fact he’s asked if I can be “trusted” is a bit patronising.

It's not patronising. You are looking to be offended because you are feeling defensive. You are seeing a psych and getting meds which doesn't happen for no reason. Its normal for them to ask exactly these things.

Standard questions in this situation. Your reaction shows that your psychiatrist is right to be concerned.

If he has offended you that much change to another Psychiatrist.

I think you are being absolutely ridiculous.

You can discuss anything with your psychiatrist.
So bring this up at your next appointment.

Though it sounds like it hurt your feelings, his comment seems appropriate.

To warn you the addictive nature of sleeping tablets is reasonable but the way he said it was wrong.

To be honest if someone has a history of overdose the prescriber can be well within their rights to only issue a daily pick up of the prescribed medication (even 1 tablet). So it's sounds more like it was part of a conversation they could write up into the prescription plan from a safeguarding perspective. Hence, if you were to then take a weeks worth of meds in one go, they've already covered that conversation regarding risks with you.

I don't see anything wrong with that. I only get them on the understanding that dh keeps control of them and dishes them out one at a time when needed. Yes, it makes me feel shit but I don't blame the psychiatrist.

I get zopiclone prescribed on a monthly basis for chronic health conditions. My GP will only give me enough for 14 days out of 28. She explained that if you take them daily, your body builds up a tolerance to them and they are less effective, leading onto needing higher dose ages to achieve the same effect. Which can then lead onto addiction

@Confused3393 the questions and comments have understandably hit a raw nerve. Many patients without a history of overdose are refused benzodiazepines due to their potential addictive nature and risk for misuse/overdose.
The questions/comments might have made them come over as a bit of an ass but as others have said they are legally required to ask relevant questions in order to conduct a risk assessment each and every time a script is authorised.
They will have witnessed the devastating and in some instances fatal outcome of patients with no history of abuse of medication or addiction. At the end of the day, its someone life and their career on the line.When their ass gets hauled into a coroners court they need to demonstrate that they have shown due diligence and carried out appropriate risk assessments for their patients. It might not feel like it but they have your best interests at heart.