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Original poster

Just been to GP - saw "hypochondriasis" on notes...

276 replies

TolpuddleFarter · 22/05/2023 11:54

Been to see GP about some side effects I have had from a medication I was on.

Looked at the computer to see "hypochondriasis (3)" on my notes, which obviously is three times where it has been flagged that I am a hypochondriac.

Does this mean from now on I will struggle to get taken seriously?

OP posts:
IWasOlderThen · 22/05/2023 13:02

I detest the term hypochondriac. It should be "someone who lives with health anxiety" or something like that.

bonzaitree · 22/05/2023 13:04

Sounds like you have anxiety OP. Why not go back to the GP and discuss options around that? I know you’re waiting for CBT could you afford some private counselling in the mean time

sheworemellowyellow · 22/05/2023 13:04

You’re a hypochondriac, you told your GP that you are - why are you surprised to see this in your notes? I’d be disappointed if I spoke to my GP about a health issue, we discussed it, and there wasn’t a note.

Don’t make this something you agonize over now. The GP has done absolutely the right thing. Hypochondria is a mental health condition just like many others. You’ll need to work on it, not let yourself spiral into making it worse. The GP prescribed exercise - do it. Your body will fall asleep after rigorous exercise and as little sleep as you describe. There’s no problem with the GP here. This thread is making things worse for you. Log off. Go and exercise.

Soontobe60 · 22/05/2023 13:08

IWasOlderThen · 22/05/2023 13:02

I detest the term hypochondriac. It should be "someone who lives with health anxiety" or something like that.

Why use 1 word when you can use 6!!!?

Imperfect10 · 22/05/2023 13:14

If your practise uses system 1 some of the coding terms are from the older diagnostic manual and it prefers shorter terms as otherwise the lists take too much space on the screen.

It's important for a health care professional to know that you have health anxiety. In my experience it will help them to be more attentive and to avoid flippancy rather than be detrimental to your care. If you otherwise know that you are treated compassionately and thoroughly by your GP then don't let this be another thing to stress about (easier said than done)

you know that you have health related anxiety, you do what you can to help yourself, your health care team will do what they can. But you know yourself that it is a very difficult thing to live with and it is a difficult thing to treat because there is always another thing to worry about.

Wishing you well, in body mind and spirit.

Pythonesque · 22/05/2023 13:16

I agree with a previous poster that the number beside it is not likely to mean "3 instances of". Quite possibly it is a numbering system for "previous and/or ongoing issues", for example. So there might be 2 things listed that are more important and this is number 3.

I hope your current symptoms steadily improve for you, and that the CBT waiting list doesn't take too much longer as you should find that helpful.

maranella · 22/05/2023 13:17

I don't see the problem tbh. You admit yourself that you're a hypochondriac. It's relevant to all doctors who see you to know that, therefore it's in your notes. So what's the problem?

Yorkshirelass04 · 22/05/2023 13:21

I think you should follow the doctors advice about medication and exercise to reduce the jerking issue and don't worry about being a hypochondriac or not.

I do understand that the anxiety is causing broken sleep but the NHS is really stretched right now (I can't get an appt) so the fact that you are getting advice is a good thing. I'd just follow it.

finallygotospeaktoSky · 22/05/2023 13:22

When I was in nursing years ago, it was common to see TAAT on patients notes. It's a no no now [tired all the time].

Fizbosshoes · 22/05/2023 13:22

Funkyblues101 · 22/05/2023 12:45

And did you go and do a lot of exercise as prescribed? An hour's hard swimming at 7pm should have you sleeping like a top.

It's not as easy as that.
I've suffered insomnia and anxiety, I don't swim but I run, and it doesn't always follow that I'll sleep well after a long or hard run. I wish it did.

bussteward · 22/05/2023 13:23

It’s not a pejorative term; it’s useful for the GP to know. You wouldn’t object to asthmatic on your notes if you were one, would you?

TripleDaisySummer · 22/05/2023 13:23

Magnesium supplements (best absorbed through skin apparently, you can get a spray) really helps with twitching.

It may help with sleep generally - magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate.

As for future treatment - depends who you see but ideally no they should look at symptoms - you do have health anxiety so them knowing that and offering treatment around that isn't a bad thin.

AFishCalledKeith · 22/05/2023 13:26

To be a bit to the point' OP you...

a) say you have health anxiety
b) say you have spoken to the Dr about it
c) saw it on your notes

then

d) assumed a number afterwards was some kind of record of the number of times it has arisen

then

e) got upset about your own assumption, without ever really knowing or determining if it was a true assumption

It seems to me to be some kind of extension of the catastrophising your health worries to also then assume and worry that a number you glanced at = times an issue has been recorded. As others have said, the [3] could mean literally anything.

Orangesandlemons77 · 22/05/2023 13:26

It would concern me as I have had some symptoms dismissed in the past as I have depression (maybe they think it is 'in my head') such as pain

I think I would worry they might not take your symptoms as seriously. Perhaps that is just my anxiety though. Not sure.

Thatladdo · 22/05/2023 13:27

The best thing to do is ask!
Ive seen "this" on my notes and wonder if you could explain it to me.

The boy who cried wolf

finallygotospeaktoSky · 22/05/2023 13:27

Sorry, TATT 🙄my brain is mulched today!

ChairFloorWall · 22/05/2023 13:27

Propanol is normal for anxiety though.

HannahHere · 22/05/2023 13:27

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

kateluvscats · 22/05/2023 13:28

TolpuddleFarter · 22/05/2023 12:33

So, at the moment I have an issue with jerking as I fall asleep. Which I know is normal, but this is everytime I relax and close my eyes. So as a result I am getting no sleep, which is compounding my anxiety. (Also have muscle twitches in the daytime.)
Started after taking fluoxetine (for anxiety) and is a recognised side effect, and I have now discontinued.

I have seen two doctors in the past week, and neither will prescribe me a different anti depressant, due to the side effects I had from fluoxetine. Been prescribed propranolol for panic attacks.

Been told today to go away and exercise! And that's it. I had 15 minutes sleep last night, and days and days of 2 to 4 hours sleep for 10 days. I am on my knees! Said to come back if I am still twitching in six weeks time.

I am also aware that now I am getting worried about the twitches, that they will be worse. But it's very hard to talk yourself down about these things. I feel I've been left to deal with this on my own, and I know that my brain could make this a lot worse for me - the brain is very powerful and can make you ill!

On waiting list for CBT.

Take a high dose of Magnesium regularly,worked a treat for my restless legs

stripess · 22/05/2023 13:28

TolpuddleFarter · 22/05/2023 12:07

I am a hypochondriac. I am not going to deny that. But I still don't think that doesn't mean I shouldn't be treated fairly and with compassion. It is pretty debilitating! And I am not there knocking on the GPs door every five minutes, this instance is the first time in about four or five years.

Do you think it has effected your treatment negatively?

It is something useful for doctors to know so that they can be more sensitive of how they word things, take more time in appts etc. Sometimes can be a reason to expedite tests or referals so you're not hanging around or order them for reassurance when for a typical patient they may not.

If you think it's been used to dismiss your symptoms that that's another thing entirely Flowers

IWasOlderThen · 22/05/2023 13:29

Soontobe60 · 22/05/2023 13:08

Why use 1 word when you can use 6!!!?

Show quote history

While I am sure the doctors aren't using this term derogatively, it can be used that way. I have seen some people use it to describe people in a derogatory invalidating way. We no longer use certain words for certain other conditions, how is this so different ?

jays · 22/05/2023 13:30

Kanaloa · 22/05/2023 11:56

I mean, are you a hypochondriac? I’d like to think doctors are trained to manage people with hypochondria without dismissing them, but I do think it will complicate things.

Saying ‘I mean’ instead of just starting your sentence with Are you… it kinda ironically makes you sound like a right mean girl. I guess that was your intention though.

bellac11 · 22/05/2023 13:32

Surely the GP sometimes writes something relevant about you when you visit, for example mine always mentions my weight even if my appointment is nothing to do with that

ChairFloorWall · 22/05/2023 13:33

jays · 22/05/2023 13:30

Saying ‘I mean’ instead of just starting your sentence with Are you… it kinda ironically makes you sound like a right mean girl. I guess that was your intention though.

Show quote history

Not really. Jumping on someone and calling them a mean girl does make you sound like one though.

SomersetDreams · 22/05/2023 13:34

I wouldnt be surprised Gps write very insensitively

'Father Dead' on mine which upset me. Not father passed away or other.

I uege all to get a copy of your medical notes and see exactly how they write about patients. No excuse that they are busy.

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