Couch 248: Curiouser and Curiouser

It appears to be a cyst that they can take out surgically, dog's otherwise fit so I hope that will be fine.

That's encouraging--hope your dog will be OK!

It's a relief to hear that, CNS.

Fingers crossed for your canine friend's swift recovery.

Sending positive vibes for your dog CNS.

I'm having a crappy morning. I feel like people at work are sick of me and my opinions on things. Then when I was in the middle of feeling crappy about that, I ran across a tweet about the man vs. bear debate that involved a scenario basically describing a SA I experienced when I was a lot younger. I want to reach out to P very badly, but I don't know if I'm supposed to anymore. I don't have any friends I can talk to about this. I hate my life.

Edit: I sent him an email anyway. Maybe he won't mind.

Hugs, if wanted, NP. I'm sorry you're dealing with this, I hope P is accepting of the email and gives a supportive response.

Hugs if wanted, NP.

Well I feel a little silly. But as I told the dr - I'd rather be paranoid and wrong, than ignore it and have it be something bad. I saw dermatologist this afternoon because I have a new spot on my arm in one of the areas where I have a lot of sun damage from years ago. It's a weird reddish/purple color and all jaggedy looking so I was concerned. The dermatologist said the nice name for it is "solar purpura" and the not-so-nice name is "senile purpura". basically he explained as you get older your skin gets thinner especially where you've had excessive sun exposure and it causes random bruises you're not even aware of getting. they just show up. And then fade within 6 weeks. I was like you mean I'm just old?!

The skin is senile but the brain is still sharp!

Yes ma'am!

*curls up on Couch, whimpers*

Today has been hard.
Hoping tomorrow will be marginally easier.

Safe hugs if wanted, Lost.

Thanks Artie,

I appreciate that.

Hugs back to you - I hope that work isn't too arduous at the moment.

Hugs if wanted, Lost. From your Dear T posts, it really does sound like a very painful day.

Thanks, LT.

It's been excruciating. I have drafted an email, but I don't know what good it will do.

I appreciate the hugs.

Lost

L broke another boundary. This time she talked to my Pdoc without informing me, telling her EVERYTHING that's been going on. In the 5 years together she's never done this. Actually, yes, when she talked to my sister without my permission.

Just because you sign an agreement for your T and Pdoc to talk to each other, does that give them the right to talk about anything and everything? There's absolutely no confidentiality? I'm so taking away their privilege if that's the case. It's not fair to walk into your appointment and have everything thrown at you.

Yikes, Scarlet.

I'm so sorry you're going through that.
It's definitely suboptimal to walk into an appointment and feel you are under the spotlight.

That's a terrible feeling...to know that they were discussing you without your knowledge or explicit consent. That scenario is exactly why I did not give my T and Pdoc (when I had one) the consent to discuss me. In my opinion it's infantalizing. Therefore, I refused to sign a release of information between the two. I'm an intelligent, fully functioning adult that can effectively communicate with each of them separately.

Yeahbbut 2 points define a line. Why deny your helpers the opportunity to improve their service to you, which is the point of their meeting. Also perhaps to confirm their sightings of your subconscious, such which may cause one to act as less than a "fully functional intelligent adult". Or is it just me?

yes that is exactly what verbal agreements and or written release forms are for.

you sign them and for however long they are active the treatment providers can at any time consult with each other about their client.

it is so that one treatment provider is kept informed and on the same page as the other and treating the patient in a way that promotes continuity of care.

usually release forms need to be signed once a year

but some will say on them that they are one time only

and others include the wording "retro- active" meaning everything they know from past, present and future can be consulted on and shared,

release of information forms are for when you want your treatment providers to discuss you, your treatment plans and both be on the same page so that theres continuity of care.

if you dont want them to be able to talk about you and share information and consult each other about your sessions and treatment goals and so on. all you need to do is -

put in writing that you no longer give permission for them to do this and why, sign and date it. then give it to one of your treatment providers. they will photo copy it or fax a copy over to the second treatment provider.

from the date on your letter revoking the release of information form they can no longer consult with each other for anything.

if at any time something does come up for example one goes out of town and the other needs to cover for them, or whatever may come up, you will need to sign a new release of information form to allow them to consult and keep each other informed again.

if you sign another release of information form, that knocks out your written statement so be sure whether you want to have them to share information.

When I sign release of information forms with my treatment providers, I make sure that it clearly states an expiration date of one year and what is included in the release of information.