I wasnt sure where to put this so if it belongs somewhere else, mods, please feel free to place in a better location.

I have been thinking about this since yesterday at the surgeon's office...

Being a new patient, I had to read and fill out that standard pile of papers: 3/4 legalese, insurance info and payment promises, etc; 1/4 health history.

In the health history section (one sheet, last page in the pile), a question came up regarding "serious illness(es)".

It never occcurred to me to list mental health issues for which I receive meds and go to pdoc. Sure, I listed the hideous bout with gerd and stomach ulcers over 15 years ago and the endoscopy and overnight hospital stay, but I did not list anything else.

Under the current Rx section, of course, I listed my daily med, but it was just sitting there all by itself. I figured the type of medication pretty much tells the story (issue).

Why didnt I list my Dx as part of "serious illness"? My brain is hurt and/or overactive in certain areas, and that is pretty serious. But as I sat there, I sort of weighed it all out...and I wondered to myself why I didnt include my brain as part of the rest of my body. I thought of my grandpa that suffered from Parkinsons and our family friends that suffered from ALS and Alzheimer's and dementia...those are also illnesses of the brain.

The illness in my brain for which I receive treatment is more complicated to me. It isnt "just" severe anxiety, (sometimes) deep depression, SI, panic attacks, racing heart, weakness in legs, hyperventilating, stomach aches; anx/panic sometimes so debilitating that I cannot walk & I need to take a nap after the episode cuz I am so exhausted...

But it seems more "my story", a recounting of my life instead of a serious illness (which I find very serious). But which I didn't find applicable at the time.

Until I was escorted back to radiology and then the exam room and I started to feel panicky and triggered by memories of spending all that time with my F in the hospital during cancer treatment or visiting with my grandfather almost daily for months while he was in assisted living and then hospital for his final days. I felt the familiar symptoms of panic: feeling lightheated, sweaty, cold, scared, feeling as I could faint... memories flooding back that I was trying to keep at bay. Thankfully, they kept the door open while I was waiting for doctor. I could see the nurses, staff, a few other patients walking down the hall. It made me feel less alone. And if I did faint, they would find me.

I wonder if anyone has any thoughts on this... do you separate your head / brain from the rest of your body? Do you consider MI a different kind of serious illness? Do you feel there are degrees? Categories? Etc?

By not listing MI, did I contribute to continuing the stigma of MI? That I downplayed something that affects me?

Looking forward to reading your thoughts.