I stopped going to this doctor last year. He tried to diagnose my mental health although I didn't ask him about that, and since I have a degree in psychology I knew his questions were really unproffessional as well as insensitive. We live in a small town but we do have other doctors, fortunately. Being a small town I see him at social events sometimes. The other night when I was getting ready to leave a dance he made a comment about how the action must be unbearable for me. So, am I overreacting to a random comment, or is he a nut? Do you think maybe he is a jerk to me in particular because I'm racially mixed? I asked other doctors and no one but him thinks I have the symptoms he thinks I do, although I've been recovering from depression. Besides kicking him in the nuts (joke!!) is there anything I can do besides ignoring him as much as possible?
2007-01-21 07:51:09 · 12 answers · asked by mj_indigo 5 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Other people didn't hear his comment because it was in the coat room, but it was extremely irksome to me!
2007-01-21 08:05:22 · update #1
I'm not working in the psychology field anymore, I just have a B.A., but yes I am smarter than him! Thanks to those who pointed that out. You are all really cool! :)
2007-01-21 08:18:02 · update #2
Churchill, you seem to be implying interesting theories about him, but I don't quite get what you're saying.
2007-01-21 08:47:44 · update #3
As you describe it, it sounds very unprofessional indeed (although I have also had a run-in with a doctor who couldn't stand that my professional skills - I'm a psychologist too - were better than his). You can try feeling sorry for him - such a *little* man to need to feel superior to his patient! - and revenge fantasies can be handy if you're that sort of person ... don't be ashamed, just stop before the point where you send the lads round to sort him out. I wouldn't speculate about his feelings about your being racially mixed unless you actually have hard evidence - if you *do* have hard evidence (do you live somewhere where you're entitled to ask for your medical notes? if so, get them) then you report him to his professional body, without warning him. That's something they take very seriously.
It's worth preparing a few comments to have ready in case he crosses the line again: for example 'I prefer to keep social and professional occasions separate,' which puts you in the driving seat. If you're a practising professional yourself, you could phrase it as 'Professionally, I prefer to keep ... ' which should remind him subtly that he knows that he should do the same.
I'm glad to hear that you can say you're recovering from depression - as opposed to being stuck there, which is hell. In which case, remember the old saying that 'living well is the best reward,' and next time you know you're likely to be in the same room as he is you wear whatever makes you look stunning, you remember to feel sorry for him, and make the son if a bachelor feel jealous.
Been there - done that - feels great!!!!!
2007-01-21 08:12:19 · answer #1 · answered by mrsgavanrossem 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you've consulted with other doctors, and they do not agree with him, he probably is way out of line. Also, both doctor/patient confidentiality and common courtesy suggest that he shouldn't bring up anything from appointments in social situations. I'd probably call him on it the next time he mentions it, and tell him that A) it is unprofessional to bring this up in public and B) that you've had second opinions and his particular diagnosis has not been supported. In my experience ignoring someone who is being a **** is less effective than calmly and articulately telling them how utterly useless you find them.
Frankly, if you have a degree in psychology you are likely as well versed in the use of the DSM as this guy is, but I'd be careful about trying to diagnose yourself. Remember, psychologists aren't qualified to diagnose without a doctorate degree, and even then they shouldn't be diagnosing themselves or close friends and family members.
2007-01-21 08:25:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes he is out of line and give him another kick in the nuts and then ask him who has got a problem with his nuts now. But seriously he is not legally allowed to discuss yours patient issues with anyone but yourself at his surgery and if he does this outside of his surgery get a witness and go to see a solicitor and see what can be done to stop his charade,whether it be a warning letter or a law suit
2007-01-21 08:01:50 · answer #3 · answered by Knackers 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that your past doctor is out of control. Thus being your not his patient anymore or even if you were He should not make comments to you that other people could hear. This is totally beyond his oath that he took before becoming a doctor. If it continues I would seek an attorney to get him off your back you may have to scare him with tactics..... What ever you had said to this doctor should be kept confidential....
2007-01-21 08:01:25 · answer #4 · answered by Carol H 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He was way out of line. Unless he is a physiciatrist he is not qualified to diagnose anything about your mental health but that is just secondary to his unsolicited comments and arm chair diagnoses especially in a social setting. I really doubt it has anything to do with your heritage - he just sounds like a nut. Steer clear socially and professionaly.
2007-01-21 08:02:55 · answer #5 · answered by PRS 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My dear he is nuts and he is the one that has a mental condition not u.He is trying to make u have a condition cuz he realizes that u dont actually have a condition because depression is totally normal. He is trying to use psychology on u. Yes u are right ignore his *** cuz if u dont he will make u continue to feel like u are mental.And if he has anything to say to u tell him to go to hell!! '
That's my advice!!
2007-01-21 08:03:30 · answer #6 · answered by UN-Read 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its according to what kind of action he was referring to . either way I personally think it was highly inn appropriate for that particular comment,It sounds almost sexually condescending
I don't care who's palm hes greasing in a small town,I live in one myself and Ive learned that almost all lab jackets stick togather . maybe your other doctors know something about him that you do not, however the comment itself is still unprofessional.Good Luck!
2007-01-21 08:21:48 · answer #7 · answered by churchillbilly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
seeing you are a professional and obviously more intellegent than he is, I'd take a professional approach. Id write him a formal letter, telling him that you didnt appriciate his mental anaysis, especially because that isnt what you asked of him. Tell him that you'd appriciate it that he wouldnt have contact with you in anyway and that he makes you feel uncomfortable bc if his mental anaysis of you. you can conclude in saying that you have seen other dr.s about his mental anaysis of you and no one else have found anything wrong with you.
2007-01-21 07:58:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What does he think you have? Seek a second opinion about it, then kick him in the nuts.
2007-01-21 07:57:48 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. NoneofYourbusiness 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he's definitely acting unprofessionally. if you're comfortable asking him to stop, then that's what i would do first. if he doesn't stop and continues making these comments, i would call the ethics board and tell them what's going on
2007-01-21 08:03:12 · answer #10 · answered by jdphd 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋