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Re: How competent am I?

Posted by Rzip on November 24, 2000, at 18:28:21

In reply to Re: Self-determination and Mental illness, posted by dj on November 24, 2000, at 16:59:55

In my education, we are taught that patient's autonomy triumphs all else. As long as the patient is a competent individual, his medical decisions (matters of life and death) are supposed to be respected above all else. Throughout the courses, I continue to struggle with the term competency. In literature, it seems to be so clear cut...you know, if you as a clinician is in doubt, get a psych consult. It's like if the psychiatrist say the patient is competent...volia, autonomy of the patient triumphs; and if the psychiatrist's diagnosis is incompetency...volia, the responsibilities shift to the proxy.

The truth of the matter is that clinicians always hold back in their respect for the patient's own self-determination, especially when that patient has a psychiatric history. Despite the advances in mental health education, the stigma toward the patient(s) is still acted out by the very people who are supposed to be most educated.

So, the question that I put to you guys is the following:
Do you feel that your decisions about your health (physical and mental) is being disrespected by your clinicians? Even more importantly, how competent do you feel about your medical decisions?

Personally, I fear that I will always be looked down upon by my clinicians. My insurance company helps to pay for my therapy sessions. Is it unethical to treat me in a more hesitant and cautious way?

The real dilemmas for me: How competent am I to make my own decisions? Is my mentalility compromised by my roller-coaster health? How much respect do I deserve? Am I a nuiance or a contributor to society? Am I a good person overall? Will I learn from my past mistakes and grow up to be a significant contributor to society? And finally, will my earnest dream to be a healthcare provider ever bear fruit? Am I still fooling myself? WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WHEN I GROW UP?

Now, your turn to share your thoughts from your experiences...

- Rzip


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