[cashart10]

First let me state that I likely will not report or do anything negative to my pdoc. I adore him and, to an extent, understand his intent. I just want your thoughts on this. My cousin and I go to the same pdoc and we both have bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms. Three times since I started going back to my pdoc, he has mentioned my cousin and said things that I am CERTAIN break his confidentiality. He has said everything from the things he struggles with most, saying, "I know you know this but..." to telling me about the severity of his condition, or even telling me that my cousin has, in the past, abused the pdoc, patient relationship. He almost always shares things for comparative reasons but not always. Sometimes I feel guilty just being on the receiving end of this, sometimes I find it helpful (but still not right). What do you think of this?

[HALLIEBETH87]

I think its wrong. Plain and simple. And I don't like that he put you in that position.

[~Christina]

If he is saying to you things about your cousin ,, he is telling your cousin stuff and that is just not right at all.

I would tell him you really are uncomfortable that he even mentions your cousin. You are seeing him to help you, not compare you to your cousin in any way.

I would not allow this to continue no matter how much I like my Pdoc or T .

If you feel too weird to verbally tell him , just write it on paper and hand it to him , he can read it and you can then have a conversation about it.

Be your own best advocate

My pdoc tells me about other patients all the time - their experiences etc but never tells the names or gives indication of who it is. I think he is just trying to help me realise I am not alone and what works for others may work for me, we give it a go, I have no doubt he tells other patients about me too and I have no problem with that as no names are mentioned.

Maybe your cousin has allowed this? Signed a form saying he is welcome to discuss with family? I know I had to sign forms as to if family were allowed to be involved and know stuff but I opted for no one on those forms.

[~Christina]

Good Point Supanova

[jacky8807]

i think in your other post you mentioned you have been seeing him on and off since you were 15. I think he has just become unprofessional and let his dr/ pt relationship become slippery over all this time. At any rate, its so so wrong but I know it can be hard for me to tell ppl I am uncomfortable by what they are saying. Maybe make a joke about it that actually points to the seriousness of the matter? like wow what are you telling him about me haha...he will realize the issue

[BeyondtheRainbow]

That's really not good. I would be very uncomfortable in that situation; I think that would be one the few things that would make me leave my psychiatrist who I love. Have you talked to your cousin about it? If that were comfortable I think I'd do that and then talk to the dr and share your feelings.

[Hexagram]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

If you feel too weird to verbally tell him , just write it on paper and hand it to him , he can read it and you can then have a conversation about it.

I'd be happy to write this up for you if you feel uncomfortable. PM me his address and I'll send a lovely postcard.

[cashart10]

Christina, I like your idea. I will think about it. And, I think Supanova may be right. I am considering asking my cousin but he tends to be extremely paranoid and I wouldn't want to unduly concern him with what my pdoc is telling me and/or if he is telling anyone else. I'm not sure what I will do if anything. I keep telling myself "if he [pdoc] does it again, I will say something" but I never do it.

[cashart10]

Originally Posted by Hexagram

I'd be happy to write this up for you if you feel uncomfortable. PM me his address and I'll send a lovely postcard.

That bad, huh?

Originally Posted by cashart10

First let me state that I likely will not report or do anything negative to my pdoc. I adore him and, to an extent, understand his intent. I just want your thoughts on this. My cousin and I go to the same pdoc and we both have bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms. Three times since I started going back to my pdoc, he has mentioned my cousin and said things that I am CERTAIN break his confidentiality. He has said everything from the things he struggles with most, saying, "I know you know this but..." to telling me about the severity of his condition, or even telling me that my cousin has, in the past, abused the pdoc, patient relationship. He almost always shares things for comparative reasons but not always. Sometimes I feel guilty just being on the receiving end of this, sometimes I find it helpful (but still not right). What do you think of this?

Whoa, that would make me really uncomfortable. I agree with Halliebeth, he shouldn't put you in that position. I would talk to him about it...

Maybe I missed it, but have you discussed this with your cousin? Does your cousin say that the pdoc says the same about you? Personally, I'd be freaked out if he's talking about me with my name being said. Have you thought about requesting him to keep your care confidential and to quit talking about your cousin?

If this continues, I'd find me another mental health care provider. Good luck with that one sweety!

[cashart10]

Originally Posted by AlwaysChanging2

Maybe I missed it, but have you discussed this with your cousin? Does your cousin say that the pdoc says the same about you? Personally, I'd be freaked out if he's talking about me with my name being said. Have you thought about requesting him to keep your care confidential and to quit talking about your cousin?

If this continues, I'd find me another mental health care provider. Good luck with that one sweety!

My cousin is a very paranoid individual and I would not want to worry him about whether or not our pdoc is telling me too much or if he Is telling other patients things about him, unless I had to worry him with it. He would completely obsess about it. What everyone has been saying makes me wonder if I should find a new pdoc anyway. I have trusted him since I was 15 so it is hard for me to imagine him doing me wrong but my health is obviously important. And, ethics are obviously important as well.

[BipolaRNurse]

Wow, that really is unprofessional. It violates all kinds of boundaries and HIPAA (patient confidentiality/privacy protection act). God only knows what your pdoc may be saying to your cousin about you. If I were you I would be shopping for a new doc. This is why family members shouldn't go to the same provider.....it's just too easy for the therapeutic relationship to go sideways.

[Turtlesoup]

This is very bad in my opinion as a nurse-if your family member signed a HIPPA release your pdoc should have informed you of that. Very unprofessional & enough to get medical license suspended plus huge HIPPA fine. Also very bad boundaries on his behalf.