Do you feel not listened too?

[donna80]

When you go to the doctors for some reason, Do you feel like they are not taking you seriously? I am in the UK and we don't get to choose which gp Surgery we can attend, When i lived in Wales i attended my surgery which had 4 doctors in, and all but one never took me seriously because of my Anxiety, example when i went with a ear ache which i have always suffered with, the doctor very quickly looked and said nothing there, your fine.  Then i went the next day to see the gp i liked (luckily he was on emergency calls), and he gave me antibiotics because i DID have a ear infection.

Now i have moved to England i am just getting to know the new gp's at my new surgery, i booked a 10 minute appointment for yesterday, i waited an hour over my appointment, told her of my skin problem and because she could see the obvious signs, and diagnosed me only then referred me to a dermatologist, all took 3 mins, so then i mentioned my symptoms i have been experiencing for the past 5 days and that is a creepy crawlie feeling all through out my body, she said am sorry you are going to have to book another appointment, like she had no time.  I did see on the pc screen some of my past notes about Anxiety, and the referal to the crisis team that the Doctor did for me when i joined, (3 months and still waiting to see a therapist) so i instantly thought " Ahh that's why she not taking me seriously".  

I really want to go back and discuss my issues BUT am a little upset and worried now.

I do have private medical insurance, But i will still be required to get a referal from the gp to see any specialists anyway, i am in dire need to see a therapist for cbt, But been waiting 3 months already, think i might call my insurance up and see if they cover mental health, then call the gp.

Anyone else feel like this?  

[Paxiled]

Just to respond, the health care reform won't change how medicine is practiced at all.  That's what's wrong with it, among other things.  It just extends the current system to more people.  As to the doctors and the ear, you probably didn't need the antibiotic -- we seldom do for ear problems -- so the first doc might have actually been right.  The overuse of antibiotics is a big problem, especially for minor problems that go away by themselves or can be treated with other means unless they're intractable. In the US we're so used to getting meds for every little thing, and so we get lots of med problems.  As for CBT, virtually no insurance in the US covers this -- you might get a contribution in some plans for non-preferred network providers, but generally cbt practitioners here don't work with insurance -- they can make a lot more money without it.  And most good psychologists in the US are booked -- hard to get an appointment with them.  Only the hacks are easy to see.  The ideal health care system won't exist until we focus on health care, not how we pay for it, whether in the UK or the US.

[nursegirl6572]

Well, no wonder you are frustrated!  First, i cannot even IMAGINE having to just wait and wait and wait for an appt (ie therapy) that one desperately needs!  That is outrageous....and as a side note, those of us in the US can expect those same long waits and limitations if the Health Care Reform goes through.  Our ways of medicine as we know it will be a thing of the past!

I find it outrageous that your doctor told you as you were ALREADY in the office that you would have to make another appt for another complaint/concern you had. That doesn't even MAKE any sense.  You are absolutely right when you say that those of us with a history of anxiety don't always get taken seriously, and have our docs attribute way to much to our anxiety!

I would ask to speak with someone about your latest appt...an office manager perhaps?  And explain how you feel...that you feel dismissed, and not taken seriously....not to mention the fact that apparently a patient is only allowed to have ONE symptom per visit?  How easy is it to change doctors?  If it isn't too much of a headache, I would suggest that maybe that would be a better option all together.

I know doctors don't have HOURS to spend with each patient...but what you describe is just outrageous.  I would also inquire about any way you could get a quicker therapy appointment?  

Best of luck, and let us know how it works out!