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Accused of abusing medical people

Accused of abusing medical people

I don't condone abuse of medical staff. They're here to help.

But, I get stressed AF in medical situations, and part of my cPTSD is from being coerced into surgery by my obstetrician. And part of my condition stems from being in the military, where I accidentally also learned to swear like a trooper. Which is to say I learned to swear about things, but to be respectful of people.

Also, having my mental health problems keeps leading indirectly to other problems. Like falling badly off my bike because my brain wasn't working as fast as it otherwise would --> broken arm --> lots of time in the fracture clinic --> they don't take you seriously because of mental health problem/difficulty putting things into words (they 'spotted' the wrist fracture I went in for but refused to even assess for the knuckle fracture that was obvious to me and took 4 weeks to diagnose, by which point there was no treatment).

--> and several things like this (for myself and for my child) --> so.much.frustration.

And sometimes in frustration (like queuing at one walk-in-clinic for two hours to be specifically sent to a staff member at another walk-in-clinic, who told me after I'd waited there for well over an hour that she'd be off shift by the time it got to me, and their queuing system didn't recognise the time I'd spent waiting at the other ACT government walk-in-clinic) I have explained my point, they tell me 'computer says no' or some really non-sense explanation, and I've said 'this is fked' and they tell me off for being abusive. And I fkg can't deal with being considered abusive, because I am so careful not to direct it at the person, but the system, but in the moment censoring expletives entirely is fkn impossible, and 'this is unfair' or something like doesn't convey the powerful intensity of the frustration of being stuck in this stupid system to fix my stupid brain.

And it frustrates me that we're not supposed to take things personally, but the medical system dehumanises us, turns our treatment into little chunks dished out by various people - usually really kind ones, but not always - often constrains what they can do for completely bureaucratic reasons, then people take criticisms of the system personally when we lose our shit about it.

I'd add, because I think it's relevant, I'm a small-ish old-ish woman who is strong enough to walk/run/ride etc, but in no way physically intimidating, and never threatening in my posture.

And I'm so frustrated by this and upset that I can't even get the care that I need, and I literally just want to disappear because I alternately hate myself for seeming 'abusive' and hate 'them' for twisting my words or being oversensitive.

(Edit... OMG even the stupid forum can't deal with norty words)

3 replies

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In response to: Accused of abusing medical people

Re: Accused of abusing medical people

@Magpie2

Love maggies.

Ha ha norty words. Like your explanation... of 'like a trooper' ... I often say I can swear like a sailor but mostly I do not. I was in a snooty musicky thingy and out came the dreaded f word, but the lady got the context and when I started apologising for being uncouth she laughed and insisted I was very couth lol. Another lady there would have been less understanding.

On a serious note, the problem of medical stigma to those with mental health conditions is LEGION and can be deadly.

I am working out how I call out my gp on a few things. I am scared they will turn the finger on me. I will discuss it fully with a counsellor first before I attempt to broach it.

So in the meantime the medical profession is going to have to put with me making some generalisations about them being oversensitive and overly protected by legalism and security. I have NEVER been in this position before, but I have long been heart weary and patient watching my family suffer.

Take the best care you can of you and your family.

In response to: Accused of abusing medical people

Re: Accused of abusing medical people

@Magpie2

Sorry to hear, from experience when people are made aware of your 'mental illness' you are treated like a liabitlity and all their preconceived ideas come to the fore. You just have to hope they are somewhat decent. The problem in society is in most public settings it is completely illegal to swear out loud, and especially in front of a government worker! I swear like a trooper on my own all the time but never developed the urge in public due to upbringing. Considering the amount of stupid things I have done in my life I don't get upset at people very often. Be very careful when getting upset with health staff if they know you have a mental illness, I know first-hand if you tell some of them what you really think you can end up in a mental ward pretty fast.

In response to: Accused of abusing medical people

Re: Accused of abusing medical people

@Magpie2

I get it, I used to work in a setting where I would get sworn at regularly ( working with teenagers) but wasn’t allowed to swear.

I spoke to a MHU today on the phone and swore, it was along the lines of “I am really f** sick of the emotional distress”, but as they had caused more I didn’t really care.

It sounds like you are dealing with significant frustration, so a little swear word is understandable.

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