Stigma

There has been so much talk recently about the need for more and better access to mental health treatment. But how many people who know they need help avoid treatment because they are afraid of being stigmatized.

And yes there are privacy laws but they only go so far. I can tell you in a divorce when a child is involved there is no such thing as privacy rights. All my medical/treatment records are now fair game to be used against me. And worst of all it seems likely that my soon to be ex will be able to either directly or indirectly be able to go through them all then later exaggerate things to everyone she (we) know in order to trash me even more.

Sorry, didn't mean to get sidetracked by venting

I hear you Mike, this is a real concern. I am not involved in a divorce but I am involved in a lawsuit and I didn't include psychological damage because I didn't want my private history made public.

I also have not made an attempt to report my lawyer to the board for his errors in handling my case because my attorney has a copy of my history. He got it before I knew what was in it. I feel he can use my PTSD diagnosis against me, paint me crazy etc. so I have been stuck dealing with and 80 year old forgetful, self absorbed attorney that has been making "mistakes" and is totally the wrong match for me to personally deal with.

What I can say to you Mike, is if you do have a history of challenges and your wife can prove you have not gotten any help, it is worse than if you have noticed whatever shortcomings you have and are taking the steps to "self improve".

Open Eyes

((((Mike))))

Mike, good article on your particular case: http://www.aaml.org/sites/default/fi...ds-article.pdf

I try to keep my needs first and not worry about what others think/say/do. Usually, the truth will eventually come out (the child will learn the negative parent was being negative and the other parent was not that bad and then the negative parent will get their just deserts). I tell others who matter to me about my mental health issues and what is going on with me and use their help to get better. If someone tries to use my life experiences against me, no one who loves/cares about me is going to fall for it and I don't care about the rest.

Thanks for that link, ((((P)))). It's a good read