Posted by Ruth on March 24, 1999, at 20:28:13
In reply to Re: Medical Records and Toby, posted by DL on March 23, 1999, at 22:33:30
A few thoughts. It is reasonable to ask your psychiatrist what information he/she is sending to the new therapist. I'd probably put it in terms of wanting a perspective on where he sees things in your treatment at this point. Thats probably much more important than seeing the written word.
As for peer review, private practitioners don't have a peer review mechanism, although some of them, especially when they are beginning have regular consultaltion.> Hey Toby,--are you still having problems with this site? I have really missed your input. Am still hangin in there waiting for that appt in April.. Any comments on Q's below?
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> >>when it's about you, it isn't the same, no matter how intelligent you are, no matter how mentally healthy you've become, no matter how technically unemotional the report is.
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> This is true. We all create our own life story--by selectively attending to some things and ignoring or repressing others. At times this is a protective instinct and allows us to survive overwhelming times. I can imagine that if I were to read records from 2 years ago (when I was not sleeping at all and in an abusive situation)--written by someone who could see objectively all that was there----I don't know if my self esteem could survive it.
>
> But, I am still curious to see somethings:
> --I never saw a treatment plan--yet I saw a therapist for a few years. I know now that insurance co's require them. I would like to see if there are some in my records.
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> --I saw a psychiatrist every few months during the same time. He usually wasn't sure who I was when Icame in after 8 wks or so. I know once he forgot to write down a prescription and it caused all sorts of problems for me when he was away...Ususally he just asked me what script I needed. .I wonder if he put anything in his records? There was always another pt. immediately after me. I'm curious just to see if there are records!
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> --Is it ok to ask the new therapist to discuss the records being sent to her--with me?
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> QUESTION:
> --Still have that extra weight. Not good for self-image. Doesn't want to leave me. You gave me suggestions before, but MD was not interested. I have 2 names from the new therapist-to-be for MD's and may call and switch. Knowing my sensitive system, any ideas for me to take to a new psychiatrist?
>
> QUESTION:
> --Any guidelines on how long to take Remeron? It's been almost 6 mos now. Do you have experience with people who stopped it and continued to sleep well?--and continued with the lower levels of anxiety?
>
> QUESTION:
> --My jaw has become very painful. One side only opens enough to talk without pain. Eating can be quite a chore since Ican't open far enough for a sandwich etc. unless I squish it. If I force it to open more it is so painful--including right into my ear, and just locks up. Always had some off and on "hitching" there but not painful until a few wks ago. Is this just stress? The REmeron seems to help with mental stress but not physical stress.--Not sure who you go to for this if it continues.
>
>
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> >> my point is that psychiatrists do many things that patients do not understand and may not like; that's the nature of the treatment of the mind but that does not make those actions unethical or unreasonable.
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> If you use the perspective that all psychiatrists are as caring, knowledgeable, up-to -date, and attentive as you, then this applies. however I suspect there are some psychiatrists out there (like the one I have seen for the past few years?) who don't fit that description and for one reason or another are not able to be ethical or reasonable or helpful????
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> Is there some form of peer review for psychiatrists and therapists?
poster:Ruth
thread:3230
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/3971.html