Blast from the Past: Patient/Doc Talk 1

After reviewing some of the documents I've got hiding on my laptop, I've decided to post them for you. Comments are EXPECTED! (and most appreciated)

To Conclude Our Introduction…

In the unprecedented event of the year, a crack team of psych patients/ intelligentsia/ queer folk came together to make a series of statements regarding the state of adolescent affective disorder mental health care in the East end of Toronto. Here are the results of that collaboration.

1. EYEDROPS ARE RECCOMMENDED FOR PSYCHIATRISTS.
In a test conducted by the team, 5/5 psychiatrists demonstrated a "strategy" in which a question of considerable difficulty finding an answer to is asked. Upon asking, the psychiatrist tilts their head and stares at the already confused patient who is trying to find an answer; answering honestly, the patient may say "I don't know." In response, the psychiatrist simply stares longer with a small smile upon their face. A few minutes later, the same question is asked, prompting the same cycle, until the patient ultimately lies in order to get out of the loop.
NOTE: This, “extreme stare contest” results in anxiety for the patient and negates the answer completely.

2. SOCIAL GROUP RECCOMMENDED FOR PSYCHIATRISTS.
Most people are able to read body language and non-verbal messages well. However, psychiatrists exhibit a serious deficiency in deciphering anything other than clear, verbal messages. The team strongly recommends that psychiatrists refer themselves to a program that teaches basic social skills. If this is impossible, we ask that doctors practice receiving messages. They may receive feedback directly from the patient. (i.e. “Do you mean, you’re really hungry?” The patient will either confirm or redirect this interpretation.) Whatever the patient may be saying, the psychiatrist must be able to accept their answer and work from there.

3. PATIENTS ARE NOT AS SUGGESTIBLE AS THEY SEEM.
Yes, it’s true. Symptoms do not always develop as a result of the patient reading about them. Patients may read about a symptom they have that they didn’t know was pathological and may start presenting with said symptom because they now know that it isn’t normal. It is also possible that a patient may beat the doctor to a diagnosis!
NOTE: Failure to recognize alternative reasons may result in patients not disclosing these symptoms to their workers because they feel they are talking about their problems and not getting any help for it.

4. PSYCH PATIENTS ARE PROBABLY ALSO MEDICAL PATIENTS.
When a known psych patient presents with medical problems, they should see a medical doctor who can asses the patient as a whole rather than as a brain. You’d think this would be a given, but apparently not. Look, I’d rather barf in an emesis basin than on your shoes but if you’re going to be stubborn; I’ll throw up wherever I can.

5. ALL WORKERS MUST LEARN PSY TIME.
Psy Time is an important skill to have. It is a fairly simple concept- the issues a patient faces do not go away between appointments. Although an issue may seem easy to bear with until the next appointment, the patient may not see it the same way. Appropriate action should be taken in perspective of how the patient may be affected throughout the time until a follow-up appointment.
The team recommends that all workers be mandated to learn Psy Time.

6. MEDICATIONS ARE NOT MAGIC/ PATIENTS ARE NOT GUINEA PIGS UNLESS THEY ARE.
The team hopes that all workers are able to differentiate between guinea pigs and people. The guinea pig or Cavia porcellus are usually palm-sized and covered in fur, whereas humans are… not. Refer to size and furriness when unable to decide species.
Although a medication is indicated for treating disorder A, not every patient will respond to it. If the patient has given the medication a fair run and does not feel it is working, don’t stick around. The side effects are not worth it for a med that doesn’t work. Speaking of side effects, a patient who complains of something not listed on the drug monograph should be taken seriously. These medications are so new that it’s hardly worth their trust to argue for a pill. Either way, the patient doesn’t care if something is on the monograph or not, it’s still happening to them. Listen carefully and make changes where needed.