26-11-2014 12:12 PM
26-11-2014 12:12 PM
Some people with mental illnesses have a life span of approximately 20 years lower then other people,and even lower then Aboriginals.
It's primarily due to neglect from doctors.
Articles/studies like the below have been coming out for years,but no one takes any action regarding it.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/disease-kills-mental-health-patients-earlier-rep...
Often people try to say it's the Governments fault and they should provide money for this area but to me the fault lies not just with limited funding but also the pure stigma and neglect that comes from many in the Medical Profession that no one seems to have the desire,or courage,to address.
Reality is,doctors often view a person with severe mental illness as that is their IDENTITY,instead of seeing them as a person like every other person.
When they complain of physical issues it is often not taken as seriously as when others do and is dismissed as either anxiety,Somatisation disorder or delusion from their Mental Illness.
Many doctors have a polarising attitude where it's like they believe a person can either have a mental illness or a physical one but not both.
I don't see the life span and health of people with M.I increasing until the deeply ingrained stigma from the Medical Profession is also challenged.
For example:if someone with Schizophrenia sees an Endocrinologist for physical symptoms that doctor will minimalise and dismiss all their complaints due to the judgments and preconceived notions they hold about them and same goes for Neurologists etc so how can such a huge problem be addressed?
26-11-2014 07:15 PM
26-11-2014 07:15 PM
Sadly the article is subscriber only so I can read it.
I do agree though and it's a huge problem that I think could be alleviated by doctors just doing their jobs and stop using our mental health as an excuse for not acting. After 3 surgeries for a malignant melanoma (stage 3) I went to see the doctor about a suspicious freckle and was told I was paranoid. I left the surgery in tears. A year later another doctor saw the same freckle and referred me to have it checked out. When I told her what had happened she said you've earned the right to be paranoid, don't let them bully you. I've lost count of the number of times I've been ignored and shunted sideways, heck I'll need a knee replacement because of doctors ignoring my concerns.
Not just me either; I work in the mental health field and it just goes on and on so much no one bothers seeing a doctor any more and their health suffers for no good reason.
26-11-2014 07:32 PM
26-11-2014 07:32 PM
26-11-2014 07:50 PM
26-11-2014 07:50 PM
At that stage all they knew was that I had a history of depression, suicidal ideation and anxiety as it was pre bipolar.
Good article.
I find it interesting that they cite a lack of resources to adequately treat but the miss entirely the prevalence of doctors ignoring patients concerns? The fact that they say people with MI will have longer waiting times to get surgery is quite interesting since I wasn't aware of MI being a deciding factor in whether or not you have chemotherapy?
26-11-2014 08:01 PM
26-11-2014 08:01 PM
26-11-2014 08:13 PM
26-11-2014 08:13 PM
26-11-2014 08:14 PM
26-11-2014 08:14 PM
27-11-2014 12:28 AM
27-11-2014 12:28 AM
Hi Ivana and JT,
I've been there, with a doc who was a GP and ignored the advice of a digestive tract specialist. The specialist had seen my esophagus and stomach and duodenum via a gastroscopy.
Feller had no problem recommending codiene and oxycodone be prescribed by the GP. In writing no less. The GP said just take painkillers. FAIL.
So I didn't go back to that GP. Anyway, I try to have my sane face on when I see my current GP. I keep the face in a jar by the door, like Eleanor Rigby.
Treat your GP like a human and you'll get lots of fun, useful meds. I think it was JT who said they managed to find a GP who treated people like they had a sane brain. Its probable that after the first couple dozen consults for the day the poor feckers switch to autopilot.
So just make sure they see a person when you get to the consulting room.
27-11-2014 10:40 AM
27-11-2014 10:40 AM
Yes and our health is a holistic thing. Mind and body are one unit; no one component can lose function without affecting the rest. The sooner that is appreciated by the treating team the earlier we can improve some life expectancy outcomes.
27-11-2014 06:46 PM
27-11-2014 06:46 PM
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