Medical synopsis obscure with mental health

[Suzanne]

I have it on my medical document, that I see a psychiatrist for UNKNOW REASONS and I am arguing with my husband that it should give reasons, because obscurity leads to prejudice and he argues the opposite and thinks it is perfectly normal, since it is not about mental health but physical health. He says: it is his logic and obviously, I have my own logic, but that is so difficult to appreciate, because surely, it is better to state the reason for seeing a psychiatrist, then not? I mean, they give an elaberate details about my digestive and heart etc, but just brush over the mental health issue, so yes, I see that they are not mental health professionals, but stating what is the actual reason for mental health issues, is far more beneficial for both parties ie them and me?

Anyway, I have not seen my psychiatrist for over a year now, so I want another appointment to ask if they can please correct my medical records with the correct mental issues.

 

[unperson]

It's a patient privacy issue methinks. I can understand why you don't want people inferring stuff due to vagueness but it may be compulsory for them to be vague cos of industry requirements.

 

[Thinx]

Maybe they do that for privacy on your notes, as you may not have wanted to make your diagnosis public to all health practitioners who read your notes? It leaves it up to you to disclose if you want to, I suppose. I guess it's possible some practitioners may have uninformed ideas about autism so could be that you would wish it wasn't on your notes, if they made a comment or treated you ignorantly?

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I do not know how mental health professionals do this, but I do know that medical physicians, upon initial consult, may not place a medical diagnosis. Basically, they want to sort these things out before committing to a diagnosis,...and even then, they still may not commit, but rather describe the condition. I read these reports daily,...a consulting physician will,..as we say,..."describe the duck". "Quack, quack, quack",..."webbed feet",..."water wicking feathers",..."has a bill",..."waddles when it walks",...using all the descriptors, but will not say it's a duck. At least in the US, we have private insurance companies that will officially and unofficially discriminate, raise insurance rates,...and even go so far as to micromanage the physician into doing tests, and/or will not pay for tests based upon a written diagnosis. We will sometimes see language in patient charts like "wheezing associated with respiratory illness (WARI)"...aka,...asthma,...but if we label things as "asthma" then the patient may get "dinged" on his/her insurance. I know, it is supposed to be against the law for insurance companies to discriminate for preexisting conditions,...but they have their ways,...and physicians are very careful with their wording in patient charts.

There may be a similar "game" being played here. Once someone gets a label, then there may be "trickle down" from that, whether it be for employment, insurance, the law, etc. They may be simply making their observations and treating as best they can without committing to a label.

 

[Suzanne]

Maybe they do that for privacy on your notes, as you may not have wanted to make your diagnosis public to all health practitioners who read your notes? It leaves it up to you to disclose if you want to, I suppose. I guess it's possible some practitioners may have uninformed ideas about autism so could be that you would wish it wasn't on your notes, if they made a comment or treated you ignorantly?

No one asked me my opinion! I am quite happy to announce what is wrong, because I have struggled so much for most of my life.

 

[unperson]

people can read nasty stuff into the AS diagnosis too, such as 'patsy' or retard or one of those crazy rapist/murderer types (if male) that's why some keep quiet about it, I've had problems with being public about the dx.

 

[Ronin82]

I agree about privacy and insurance issues stated above, but another thing to consider is this: MH diagnoses mean discrimination in medical care as well. As someone with serious autoimmune and genetic conditions, I cannot get a doctor to BELIEVE ME when I rattle off symptoms. When they see my Mental Health diagnoses they instantly assume my physical issues are caused by my mental health, and refuse to do anything other than offer anti-depressants for EVERYTHING! So yes, discrimination in medical care is a thing if you list MH diagnoses. Tread carefully!

 

[Judge]

You're right not to consider them "mental health professionals" by much of any standard. But then you've also "named your own poison" in the process.

As others have pointed out, this serves you as a matter of record not to suddenly document you with another possible condition beyond your own autism. -A matter of your own privacy to consider. This is good.

Conversely not so good, is France. A nation that only a few years ago that had a medical infrastructure that refused to even recognize autism. OK, they've changed direction at the highest levels. This good, however it doesn't mean an entire nation's medical infrastructure has suddenly improved to a level of expertise comparable to other EU nations nearby. Especially given this change in medical policy may be more politically than scientifically motivated. Something that may roil any number of medical professionals forced to reexamine autism with an entirely new perspective while abandoning incorrect and obsolete biases.

In essence there's no reason to have high expectations with this medical infrastructure at this point in time. Which may reflect that in their limited opinions, there is cause to pursue things further through psychiatric analysis. Yet that at this point in time they aren't sure about what it may be. That while you're "left in the dark" for all intents and purposes, they may be as well.

About all you can do is to ask questions and be patient whether they are willing or able to answer them.

 

[Aspychata]

As noted very clearly above by Judge (very interesting to read), your inadequate dx sounds more as a result of limitations of that medical community. Perhaps you can find a more current practitioner that will explain the absence of the diagnosis. Or just ask outright the MD treating you. Is there a language barrier?