[SeekingZen]

I recently read Payne1's thread where someone mentioned not to disclose fibromyalgia when seeing a new provider regarding an unrelated condition. While I am apprehensive about withholding information from physicians, I also do not want to have an unrelated medical concern chalked up to anxiety/depression.

Do you feel that it is necessary to withhold anxiety and depression from a physician in order to be taken seriously?

It is ever appropriate to do so? I do think there is a lot of bias and docs tend to take other medical conditions less seriously when you have anxiety and depression.

Is it necessary for another specialty to list "psychiatric conditions: anxiety or depression" on their medical history questionnaire? Am I obligated to disclose this?

I would love to hear your thoughts!

[skeksi]

Half the time on the health history forms, they ask about "neurosis" or "nervous conditions" which is so outdated that I refuse because I definitely don't have those! But truthfully, I usually do not check the box. I am truthful about my medications (I take one psychiatric medication) and the doctors do pick up on that and ask why I take it. I don't mind answering orally (much).

[splitimage]

Yeah, I hate that they specifically ask about psych history on general questionnaires, but I figure they'd find out anyway once I list my meds. I'm on 4 different psych meds, and it's important to be honest about your meds due to potential drug interaction, so I can't really get around it. But I'm lucky I've never felt that a Dr. has been less than totally professional with me, despite my being a psych patient. My GP takes everything I say seriously.

splitimage

[Perna]

I have not really had a doctor who I felt has had time to look at/read the questionnaire; they only have about 10-15 minutes to see me, in person. I've had to remind so many doctors of my actual, that's-what-I'm-here-for problems that I kind of don't worry about them bringing up others, unless I'm there and they decide to scan the questionnaire. A lot of mental illness symptoms can be caused by physical illnesses and vice versa; I think it is important that they know your whole record. My mental problems have to do with anxiety and that wrecks havoc with your body over time (and mine has had enough time, I'm 62 :-)

[Perna]

Actually, if you think about it, would be a good "test" if you want that doctor; disclose and see how he treats it, if he discounts things based on a stock questionnaire only, then you don't want that doctor anyway?

[Leed]

I agree with Perna. If he doc discounts your complaints due to your psych meds or condition, then run from that doc cause he'll do that all the time.

I had a doc do that to me before. I went to him for spinal pain, and he said it was probably just cause I was anxious. HUH? I'd brought my MRI with me, and it definitely SHOWED problems -- this was a neurosurgeon, for pete's sakes. What an arrogant creep.