I hate that patronizing all-knowing bemused look on my doctor's face when she sees I have a mental illness diagnosis. It is as if all other health concerns go out the window and can be easily dismissed as psychosomatic, neurotic, fallout from depression, and "schizophrenic thinking." I have had ongoing stomach problems for about 3 years now and have been to my PCP multiple times. She says, 'Oh, it is probably irritable bowel syndrome and in your case that's probably even more likely." She didn't have to explain what she meant by "in your case." She ordered a test and when nothing showed and I was still in pain, she ordered a very similar test that wouldn't even cover any new ground. I felt she was just trying to placate me. So I decided against having a second expensive test done and thought I would just take care of the matter myself and bought a couple of books on the subject. She has always seen me every 6 months and run all the usual blood tests as a matter of course because I'm taking thyroid medication and my blood sugar is supposed to be tested regularly since I was on Zyprexa for so many years. Last time I went (October) she said not to come back for a year. And that she wasn't doing any more testing unless "she felt it was necessary." So now I feel like I'm getting the cold shoulder. I know I did not have the repetitive GI-tract test done, and maybe that pissed her off. But I kind of sensed I was being blown off because she didn't want to waste any more time on a mental case.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
I went to my MD for a physical (last year). I get one every year. He walks into the exam room sits down and says "so how's your mental health?" I was flabbergasted. He has already told me in the past that he cannot prescribe psychiatric meds for me as he "lacks the knowledge." Was this his way of gaining knowledge? He does a thorough exam but he kept asking me why I still take psych meds and if I was working with my pdoc. I felt inferior and that he was more interested in my mental health than my physical. Its hard to find a MD that takes the time to do a complete physical and even harder to get one after they find out about my psychiatric history. My current MD although he is more concerned about other things does take the time to explain his findings. It took me years to get an MD to do that.