[Medwyn]

From what I'm observing on another thread, there seems to be a lack of "Understanding" empathetic health providers out there, or there is no where to find them except by posting on the board.

Is there anyway we could start a thread, region by region where people have experienced help or know of a good provider or would that undermine ACCClaim groups and the like.

This is not advertising, but pointing people where to go for help and people can comment on what they have found.

I hope I'm not being contentuous in this but as Carol Lousise has found sometimes there seems to be nowhere to go.

Can anyone help ?

[freshrain]

Medwyn, on Dec 6 2007, 11:52 AM, said:

From what I'm observing on another thread, there seems to be a lack of "Understanding" empathetic health providers out there, or there is no where to find them except by posting on the board.

Is there anyway we could start a thread, region by region where people have experienced help or know of a good provider or would that undermine ACCClaim groups and the like.

This is not advertising, but pointing people where to go for help and people can comment on what they have found.

I hope I'm not being contentuous in this but as Carol Lousise has found sometimes there seems to be nowhere to go.

Can anyone help ?

[freshrain]

The dearth is a national disgrace.

[Medwyn]

I suggesting that we have a list of providers, maybe we need to sort out the sort of questions that need to be asked of a provider eg.

1 What their skills are?
2. Do they have training/knowledge of "X" condition.
3 What is their take on say OOS, Chronic Pain, PTSD etc, you'll be suprised at the answers of some them.
4.Can they offer different approaches/methodology to the problem in hand eg differnt medications etc.

This is a discussion document and I'm not advocating any sort of approach, but I know what questions I and my advocate ask of professionals straight up and it's been to our advantage.

Hope you understand my posting,

Medwyn

[MINI]

Seriously good idea Medwyn.

Especially ones for second opinions etc. Who are not too expensive.

I know of a few around the North Island. For different issues which is good. Even if people just give the good ones and why they found them good in a certain area, that would be helpful. Maybe all of them would start pulling up their socks to get on the list eh??

I will keep watch to see what you come up with and put my two bobs in when I get the go ahead!!

Cheers
from Mini the new groovy granma!!!

[Medwyn]

Don't want to hog this thread but here's some more stuff I have found: Just click on the links and save the to your Bookmarks/Favourites folders
This is the current list of ACC registered counsellors
http://www.acc.co.nz/claims-and-care/other...urceSiteId=1494


Another resource I found was this one, I have no knowledge of them, maybe someone else does?
http://www.talkingworks.co.nz/


This is important as it set’s out the criteria for being an ACC approved counsellor, and may help to alleviate the fears of some who think they may get a second rate treatment
How to register as an ACC Counsellor (The criteria for Appointment)
http://www.acc.co.nz/for-providers/how-to-.../DIS_CTRB097702

They are not all ex school teachers and wannabes, as the criteria above shows.

I am trying to find a study paper that was released in 2003 where it was determined that GP’s are not trained specifically in Sexual Abuse counselling. Until I can find the source, you can accept that statement or not.


Some further reading for you:
If You Are Referred to a Psychiatrist

If you have a clinical depression or your PTSD symptoms are severe, your ther-
apist may refer you to a psychiatrist who can prescribe medication. If and when
you go to a psychopharmacological psychiatrist, he or she wiH probably do a
complete medical and psychiatric workup. You should be prepared to list your
symptoms, their duration and frequency, and any other observations you have
about your symptoms.. In addition, you have the right to expect the psychiatrist
to explain your diagnosis and the medication in detail. You might want to ask
the doctor these questions:

What is my psychiatric diagnosis?.

What are the various types of medications that have been found useful
for this diagnosis? .

• What are the potential benefits and the possible negative side effects of
each of these medications?

• Are there any initial side effects that should disappear in time, such as
nervousness or extreme fatigue? If so, how long should I wait for the
initial symptoms to disappear before I call the office?

• Why is this particular medication being selected over another?

• How much research has been-done on this particular medication and
what is the probability that this medication will be helpful?

• How long does it typically take for this medication to have an effect?

• If I were to overdose on this medication, would I die?
Should I give myself the daily medication or should somebody else have
the responsibility of giving it to me?

• What if I forget to take the medication at the prescribed time? Should I
take It later in the day or wait until the next day? If I skip a day, should
I double the dosage the next day, or not?

• What should I do if I vomit the pill for some reason?

• Will this medication interact with other drugs such as alcohol? If so, will
the effect be harmful or possibly deadly?

• Will the drug be administered in ever-increasing doses?

• How will you [the psychiatrist] determine if the dosage needs to be
changed? Will blood tests be required? If so, how often?

• Do you [the psychiatrist] have any literature on the medication that I can
read?

• Can I become addicted to this medication?

• What Will happen to me, physically and psychologically, if I suddenly stop
the medication on my own? What if I don’t tell anyone I am stopping the medication, what are the signs others can see that will tell them that I have
stopped? What should these others do to help me if I stop taking the med-
ication?

At what point can the medication be discontinued? Is there a point after
which the body becomes immune to the effects of the medication so that
it ceases to be effective?

How long does it take for the effects of the drug to leave the body? How
long after the drug is discontinued should any dietary or alcohol restraints
be observed?

If this medication does not work, what other medications might be avail- ct
able?

Medication needs constant monitoring. Until the right dosage is established,
you may need to telephone the psychiatrist several times. You will also need to
call if the negative side effects are problematic or seem to be causing more
hardship than is warranted by the positive effects of the drug.

For example1 if you are sluggish or extremely tired all the time, are unable
to concentrate,. or if you have physical symptoms such as bleeding, muscle
tremors, seizures, dizzy spells, hyperventilation, dark or discoloured urine, rashes,
inability to urinate, constipation, loss of menstrual period, severe headaches,
vomiting or nausea, loss of sex drive, or other physical difficulties, you should -
call the psychiatrist right away. Similarly, if you still feel suicidal, homicidal, or
self-mutilating1 or if you develop hallucinations, delusions, or begin to feel
hyperactive or out of control, call the psychiatrist immediately. If your call is not
returned promptly, call again. Do snot let these side effects go unattended.

Finally, be wary of any psychiatrist who does not seem familiar with the med-
ication, who seems to discount your concerns, or who does not return your
phone calls regarding questions about the medication or problems with it. If con-
tacting the psychiatrist is always a problem, consider changing psychiatrists.
However, you might want to discuss your decision with your therapist or support
group first.


IMHO Be wary of the Psychiatrist who suggests a drug change because he has no knowledge of the Drug you may be already on
because the medications available in New Zealand and Europe have not been approved in the US by the FDA. hence their reluctance to certify it for your use.

Anecdotal evidence points to the fact that US manufacturers “sponsor” drug trials and “research” and “fellowships” plus “scholarships” for favourable reports in return , again be warned this is hearsay and may not be admissible.

[hukildaspida]

Merck Medical Manual is also a useful guide to read before any of these Psychological / Psychiatrict appoitnments are undertaken.

There are serious questions that need to be raised as to what relevance much of these Assessmanets have to your actual Injuries because some of the stuff that people get dianosied wih is totally irrelevant.

How can Personality Assessments - which is what these Assessments basically are have any relevance to your actual injuries?

How accurate is the 'Methodology" that these Psychiatrists / Psychologists use is in compliance with basic Human Rights?

[Alan Thomas]

hukildaspida these psychological profiles, which also picked up various other pieces of information, I used to determine "scientifically" that one legged fat divorced lesbians who smoke with six children each two different fathers who have passed their use by date has fibromyalgia because of psychological reasons. They are also prone to false memory syndrome and make excellent candidates for sexual abuse causing PTSD.

Of course the methodology of these tests create self-fulfilling prophecies.

The Auckland Pain Clinic wanted me to talk to their trick cyclist (psychologist) into having hypnotherapy instead of the prescribed surgery in order to deal with my pain. I explained to him that I needed the surgery so I would have the physical capacity to go back to work and that I could disregard whatever residual pain I was in. He wanted to explain to me that I had a chronic pain syndrome and I explained to him that I have received treatment for the chronic pain syndrome and now only have long-term acute pain for which I was being prescribed strong painkillers until I had the surgery. I also explained to him that I am able to numb the pain of my hand to the extent that the side of my face and my foot are also going numb. he then threw a big girls blouse tizzy fit in the traditional manner that most trick cyclist do.

[boho refugee]

Sorry not been posting much lately but this article for your thread may interest you perhaps hukildaspida?

Quote

Psychiatrist breached code over patient's care
November 25, 2008, 1:50 pm

A psychiatrist breached his profession's code of conduct when he said a young woman was exaggerating or faking symptoms despite a long history of mental health problems, the Health and Disability Commissioner had found.

The 22-year-old patient, Miss A, admitted to a mental health unit in February 2007.

She had a "long history of mental health problems and had previously been diagnosed as having a major depressive disorder", commissioner Ron Paterson said.

Dr B, who was working as a locum consultant psychiatrist, concluded the woman was suffering from a factitious disorder -- a condition where a person acts as if he or she has an illness deliberately producing, feigning or exaggerating symptoms.

He changed her treatment according to his new diagnosis.

Dr D, who was the woman's psychotherapist and psychiatrist from August 2004, said she had a treatment resistant depressive disorder.

He did not believe she has a factitious disorder.

Mr Paterson said it was not important whether Dr B's diagnosis was correct but "whether he followed the correct process in reaching his diagnosis".

"In my view, Dr B breached the code as he failed to consult adequately with his colleagues and he failed to adequately document the reasons for his change in diagnosis.

"In addition, he failed to expedite Ms A's request for a second opinion."

Mr Paterson said a copy of his report should be sent to the Medical Council of New Zealand and another put on the Health and Disability Commissioner website.

No further action was recommended.

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/5...-patients-care/

ps not seen this reported in herald or stuff media yet so there may be more coverage eventually etc

[boho refugee]

Sorry not been posting much lately but this article for your thread may interest you perhaps hukildaspida?

Quote

Psychiatrist breached code over patient's care
November 25, 2008, 1:50 pm

A psychiatrist breached his profession's code of conduct when he said a young woman was exaggerating or faking symptoms despite a long history of mental health problems, the Health and Disability Commissioner had found.

The 22-year-old patient, Miss A, admitted to a mental health unit in February 2007.

She had a "long history of mental health problems and had previously been diagnosed as having a major depressive disorder", commissioner Ron Paterson said.

Dr B, who was working as a locum consultant psychiatrist, concluded the woman was suffering from a factitious disorder -- a condition where a person acts as if he or she has an illness deliberately producing, feigning or exaggerating symptoms.

He changed her treatment according to his new diagnosis.

Dr D, who was the woman's psychotherapist and psychiatrist from August 2004, said she had a treatment resistant depressive disorder.

He did not believe she has a factitious disorder.

Mr Paterson said it was not important whether Dr B's diagnosis was correct but "whether he followed the correct process in reaching his diagnosis".

"In my view, Dr B breached the code as he failed to consult adequately with his colleagues and he failed to adequately document the reasons for his change in diagnosis.

"In addition, he failed to expedite Ms A's request for a second opinion."

Mr Paterson said a copy of his report should be sent to the Medical Council of New Zealand and another put on the Health and Disability Commissioner website.

No further action was recommended.

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/5...-patients-care/

ps not seen this reported in herald or stuff media yet so there may be more coverage eventually etc

[hukildaspida]

This site may be of interest

http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu -It should link up to the Penn University & has stuff on Positive psychology.

There are a couple of NZ women who have also set up http://www.professionelle.co.nz by the names of Sara Wilshaw-sparks & Galia Bar Hava-Monteith which is how we found out about this site.

They promote positive psychology, positive personality traits & what makes life worth living- flexible work practices - worklife balance, however it is to be noted on their site there's nothing to do with women who suffer injuries & how to maintain quality of life.

Maybe some on this site could join & become proactive as they have a blog.