Negative things are written about me in my Psychiatric notes, should I try and fight?

Question

I`ve left the Service now, but I`m not happy about what they said, should I try and fight and risk making it worse or leave well alone?

SERIOUS ANSWERS PLEASE! THIS IS IMPORTANT!

I meant out of the care of Mental Health services, not that they ever really cared! OCD Thoughts.............

Answer 1

Depends on whether the report will have any importance in your future life. I suspect it might for some professions. I suspect it could be hard to get this changed.
Are you sure it's that bad?

Personally I'd walk away.
good luck :-)

Answer 2

As a nurse it is our duty to record what a client is like in the notes. This is a requirement that can not be overlooked. However, I find the most accurate way to write my notes, is with the client. How would it be possible to write an accurate summery about someone without asking them why they behave in a certain way, or how they are? Many RMN's will just write a summery based on observation, but this can be wildly inaccurate, if the RMN hasn't even spoken to the client.
As for challenging what is in your notes already, this can not be changed. The notes are legal documents and can not be altered in any way. Sorry.
As a nurse, I find peoples experiences of other services shocking, and understand why so many choose to leave the services. But there are organisations, such as MIND that are trying very hard to make recovery from mental illness easier, and more user led.
I hope things work out for you!! xxx

Answer 3

Unfortunately, psych notes dictated by your doctor are a medical opinion...

more than one way to skin a cat :<)

Look at the good side...if they wrote you have a documented psych problem you may be able to get disability from the Service for this condition (disability pay), as they did a pre-screening before you started with them and this may be an "exacerbation" of a nervous condition made worse by your service. You need to look into the veterans association and try and get a disability rating....

What ever they wrote they will have to pay you for, ...and certainly
..don't worry about what they wrote as they just documented that you deserve compensation.

Secondly HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) protects your medical info from being acquired by anyone without your permission...not to worry!!!

Answer 4

Those that write notes regarding peoples health are bound to tell the truth, but it must be written in a constructive way. If they wrote something that you don't like, even though its true and properly written, then you cannot really do anything about it. However if they wrote something in a non-professional or non positive and constructive way then you might have a case. For example say if where I work someone hit another client I could write that 'Mrs X struck another client today.' I could not write that Mrs X was horrible today, she hit another client.' Personal opinion must also not be included.

Answer 5

Ok. There are two ways to go. Fight it emotionally, which is where your head is probably at right now, or intellectually. I'd opt for the latter.
I'd let things simmer down. Then consult a shrink..get to know your enemy, so to speak.
If you go in and lay down the facts....let him or her know that you're concerned about the negative impact these records might have on your future..then go on to ask what he or she might recommend you do.
Of course..you run the risk of THAT shrink writing down "nut job' in their notes...and making things worse. Soooo..you'll have to really weigh things out.
I would ask this. I'm not an expert..but I really don't think military medical records are going to be readily availalbe to anyone you might go to work for..UNLESS you're looking to go into the FBI..or CIA..something like that.
Good luck.

Answer 6

these notes are confidential and without your permission should stay that way. i can understand how hurtful the things your psychiatrist wrote could be but you're obviously now out of their care for a reason. if you fought the matter then it could end in more people than you felt comfortable with knowing what they have written. i would say for your wellbeing it could be very stressful fighting this, but if you feel this is something you need to do you have my full support. it's your descision just make sure that you are prepared to fight it all the way!

Answer 7

I would think don't fight it.Because you can't control what others think about you anyway.. Fighting them will take more of your time and could result in even more negative notes. It's not the end of the world for a person to have some kind of crisis. It will benefit you more in contact with others to not defend yourself, even if wrong has been done against you. Use your energy to move on and continue with your life! The less you make of this, the less others will make of it. :-)

Answer 8

leave it alone. If you're out of the service, who is really ever going to see those records. Why stress yourself out over something that will likely have no impact on your future life.

Answer 9

Give yourself plenty of time and really think about what's written, ask friends and family their opinion. If in a month or so you still strongly disagree and feel it's unjustified, maybe you should appeal. Especially if it's going to affect your future.

Otherwise, if you can, let it go. Learn from your experiences and move on.

Good luck.x

Answer 10

if it possible for you to forget it, do so.

if it is going to niggle at you for ages, fight it.

but accept that it might cause you a lot of mental anguish.

institutions can be difficult to deal with, they close rank on you.

i'd say it would be preferable to leave well alone, but i hate injustice, so i probably wouldn't follow my own advice!