like others, i have had bad treatment outside of mental health care, by practitioners who couldn't get past even very simple mental health/state and investigate other problems. i have to wonder to what degree, even within a mental health setting, patients' other troubles might still be underestimated, or interpreted as "emotionally based" or psychosomatic.

i was dismissed from a neuro exam for migraines. i came in having an anxiety attack - fairly mild but i was visibly nervous when i entered (shaking, talking jerkily). i also had a migraine going on, due to which i was feeling very jarred/disoriented by the type of lights and bleepy noises and general ruccus in the center. this was a follow up exam - i had had an MRI which i was to bring. she looked me upside down, said what's wrong with YOU? and no sooner the words anxiety attack left my lips she was no longer listening to me tell her i also had a migraine ongoing, with all the doozy effects from light/sound, no, she was yelling at me that i "belonged" in pdoc's office not hers and that my migraines were all emotionally-based. thank goodness the ativan took effect at some point i was able to stand up to her somewhat but still, she

- would not look at the MRI,
- did not want to hear about the types of symptoms i have
- did not narrow down the TYPE of migraines i have (with some kinds you can't take certain meds, so it is important to know! )
- did not discuss treatment options with me
- finally shipped me off with a med suggestion (not script!) in a NOTE to my PDOC.

pdoc read it and said what she suggested was used specifically for PSYCHOSOMATIC PAIN.

i had migraines BEFORE i ever had any mood episode, and their course did not vary with my moods or within episodes. and my mom, who doesn't have any mood disturbances, also had migraines. it's genetic.

~ waves ~