[splitimage]

I had a mini crisis last week which I did not handle well. I didn't drink over it, I acted in other self destructive ways. I'm currently in rehab 5 mornings a week, to get extra support while I go through a particularly difficult period in my life. Anyways - last week, freaked out my addictions Dr. to the point where yesterday she practically put the phone in my hands to tell me to call my pdoc. I called my pdoc yesterday, and he fit me in for an appointment today. Anyway we had a long talk about what's going on and where my head was at, and said he didn't really think I needed to be hospitalized but that if I wanted to be I could. He suggested more intensive outpatient contact with him instead, ie I'm to phone him tomorrow and see him again on Mon. We're also trying some stuff with my meds.

Then he announces that hospital has a new program of managed care for "Complex Patients". Ok, maybe it's just me, but being called "Complex" by a psychiatrist in a Hospital that already basically only gets the patients the other hospitals can't deal with, is not exactly self esteem enhancing. This program basically brings other specialists onto your care tream to address different areas of your care. The downside - I'd have to meet an entirely new pdoc, go through the whole intake assessment thing again, which would probably leave me having another crisis, and then I'd have to get to know that person. The plus side is I might get someone with a background in Trauma or someone who does DBT. These would be big plusses as I may have to give up seeing my T for financial reasons soon.

He also said a referal, which I suggested, to the Women's Inpatient Unit which deals with trauma and addictions as well as mental health would be appropriate, but that would be a longer term stay, which I'm no sure I want to do.

So I see him again on Monday, at which point I'm going to tell him which if any options I want to pursue.

I'm profoundly grateful that I get excellent publicly funded mental health care. I just don't like being called complex.

splitimage

[unaluna]

I think your other option is to be called "simple"...

[notz]

Who cares what they "call" it as long as you get what you need and so rightfully deserve.

[di meliora]

Please do not let your ego get in the way of receiving help you need.

[Perna]

Originally Posted by splitimage

This program basically brings other specialists onto your care tream to address different areas of your care.

I'm sorry, but I like that! Having one person, say, your pdoc, messing around with meds that wreck your physical health and no one paying attention to your diet and "exercise"? What's that? If they are throwing all those doctors and resources at you they must think you are worth it, interesting and there's hope for success.

[lynn P.]

(((splitimage))) - sorry you're having such a rough time, but its great you're getting great help. Aren't we all complex at times - in fact I'm feeling super complex these last few years lol. I would rather have a doctor who's known to handle tough cases - he must be great. Also more heads are far better than just one - obviously the one isn't sustaining you. Maybe this will be the best thing. Who cares about the complex word

[Secretum]

The pdoc at my university's health center refuses to see me because I am "too complex". I think she just doesn't want to work with bipolar patients.

Anyway, I'm sorry that you feel so hurt by the term. I do think that it is better than being simple, however. At least you're not boring! And I'm glad that you are getting the treatment you need.

hey..anyone can be "simple"..but now "complex."..well i am impressed!

just kidding...work every aspect of the system you can to get as much help as you can...& hey if being complex does it..then girl..you be the best darn complex they have ever seen! ya only get one chance at life & really who wants to be just "simple" (come on folks..fess up...we all want to be complex...)

grab what ever the system offers & run with it. it beats the alternative.

[Caretaker Leo]

gee split - if someone told me I was "complex" I would see that as a compliment. Guess it is all in our own perceptions and the backgrounds of our lives.

If it means you will get the best care and that changes your life for the better, I hope you will learn to think of "complex" in a positive way.

But, since you see it as a negative - can you write down the "whys" and share with us? Or use what you write down as the "whys" in your therapy sessions so they can help you in the best ways possible? You know I wouldn't ask if I didn't care!

[gma45]

Hang in there Spiltimage at least you are getting the care you need! They can call me anything as long as they are helping me! And like everyone else I would rather be called complex than simple! Wish I had a team of experts to look at me. Filling out new paper work is a pain although worth it in the end. Take care I wish you the best.

[likewater]

Dont let a label stop you from getting help you need. All complex means is you have more than one issue. I bet everyone on planet earth is complex when you look at them closely enough. I'm sorry it's been a rough road for you, but it sounds like you can get some assistance along the way now. Wishing you healing and peace.

[splitimage]

Thanks for the perspective everyone. I have decided to be the best darned "Complex" patient they have. Depression - check, Addiction - check, PTSD - check, Social Phobia - check. It only makes sense for me to access as much care as I can, although I truly dread having to go through another intake assessment, and retell my whole MH and Addictions story again. I find that very upsetting and triggering. When I do get to the assessment phase, I'm going to take my small stuffed dog to hold. Who cares if they think I'm weird - it's a psych hospital after all.

splitimage

you're not weird..complex...all the really great complex peeps have stuffed dogs!

you go girl! make us all look good

signed the rest of the complex crowd

[Open Eyes]

I am sorry that your struggling SplitImage, I know your trying very hard and in that, I have to be honest, you DO deserve to get whatever help you need that can assist you in your efforts to improve your life.

I think of it in a couple different ways, like as suggested in another post, who cares what they call it, as long as you get the help you need, that is what is important.
Sometimes a difficult path can end up sending you in the right direction where you eventually sit across for the one person that GETS YOU. And then you find something that clicks and you can really progress.

I sincerely respect your efforts SplitImage, I honestly feel you deserve to find the right path to healing.

((((Hugs))))

Let us know how you make out.
Open Eyes