[Monty_girl]

How much should you tell a doctor about your mental health issues?? I'm going to see a new doctor on monday who is an urologist. My T asked me last night if he needed to speak to the doctor for me and let him know a little about my mental health concerns. ( dx'ed with DID& PTSD ) I'm not real sure if I want this doctor to know to much before I even meet him. I don't want him going into my appointment already thinking that I'm mentally unstable. But if he needs to do something that might be very triggering for me he needs to know ahead of time. So what do you do?? My T said that I could call him anytime during the appointment or after if I thought he should talk to the doctor for me. I've had a very hard time these last few months in T to the point of my T almost had me committed for my safety. But we made it through. But I'm still on "High Alert" and very easily triggered. Another issue I have is that with the job I do I work with a lot of people in the health care field. And some of the people I work with are friends with the doctor I'm going to see. I know they are not suppose to talk about their patients. But it's still in my head that it might happen in a round about way. Which adds extra fear of people finding out about my DID. Think I'm going loopy.

[(JD)]

Hmm many of us have these same issues about how much does another doctor need to know? I think it's a good thing to withhold all you can, for the time being. Before the MD does anything, make it very clear that he needs to tell you what he wants to do... and practice the word WAIT. for the visit lol tell him wait at any time... and give the MD time to remember you warned him lol.

I think some of your anxiety also comes from a possible betrayal of trust, and privacy issues (your file) and maybe the biggest is just what the MD personally believes about your dx's? Make sure your T won't tell the dx's but explain FOR you how stress out you become etc etc etc? Would that work for you?

[kimmydawn]

monty, this is what i would do. i wouldn't say anything. now, the only reason i wouldn't is because you have your t ready and able to talk to your dr, ya know. otherwise, my answer might be different. also, i would ask t not to state dx. maybe he could exlplain the PTSD and that you can become dissciative if this dr would need to do anything that he should be aware of. d's going right?

this is a first visit and i think it will be more information gathering and going over dr's notes and test results to see where to go from there.

gl, let us know k?

love ya,

kd

[Perzephone]

I think it's important for a doctor who may be prescribing you new medications to know if you're already taking any meds or OTC's... but beyond that, why would a urologist need to know about mental disorders? Unless (and I don't mean to insult anyone by this, or upset anyone, but...) maybe it's an OCD washing issue that's affecting the health of other body parts, or a violent reaction that may put the doctor in danger? I could understand maybe being upfront with a cardiologist or gynecologist because mood, anxiety, etc. can affect the heart & hormones... but a urologist?

The best thing is if you feel relaxed enough to continue seeing the doctor, or find them to be ultra-professional. I've got a GP I can tell anything to, any day, but I keep having to switch gyno's, so it's hard to open up to or feel comfortable around the current stranger who's peering between my legs.

[Monty_girl]

You know maybe if it is an issue that T can explain the PTSD and leave it at that. Think many people have a big misconception about people with mulitple personalities. Too much sterotyping.

Another issue we talked about in T is the fact I can't deal with hospitals. If this MD put me in the hospital I'm not sure I could handle it. I have hugh issues with being trapped and feeling confined. Hospitals have this thing ya know about telling you what to do and making you stay in bed. I don't deal with people telling me what to do when it comes to my personal body. It's very triggering.

Trouble with urologist too is that sometimes they will have to look at your private areas. Because they deal with the kidneys and bladder, that's where it all ends at. And the thought of even anyone other then my regular MD touching me to hard to take.

No Kd, D isn't. got to work.

i wouldn't say anything. in the office where i work, confidentiality is not a priority. i am aghast at how easily info is exchanged on the floor and the reception area. i'd just try to go into it, relaxed, and trust that the urologist is a professional and if your T needs to talk to him, then he can be told. most doctors are very strict about confidentiality...it's just that one i work for is an idiot. i quit friday. anyway, best of wishes to you from me and my group.....xoxo pat