The Pink Herald

I have been classified as a “problem patient”. Why? I have extreme medical anxiety due to medical trauma and because I don’t act in a particular manner, I am therefore, a problem patient.

I am aware of my anxiety, in general, as well as the medical. If a cookie-cutter approach would work with everyone, this would be a non-issue. Let’s not even dive into the medical gaslighting, ignoring women’s pain, etc. that are standard practice.

I focus on breathing techniques to get me through just making the appointment. Yeah, it’s that bad. I have to talk myself into going to appointments. I do even more breathing techniques just waiting to be seen and in the exam room. More of then not, I have a complete breakdown in my car after every appointment.

I rarely make eye contact (anxiety and ADHD cause that). However, medical staff and doctors take issue with it. I will decline weight when I have been seen recently. That is my right and they should understand, “no” is a complete sentence. If they were to read my record, they would know my weight was recently taken.

I make it a point to bring a complete medical history, typed, so there aren’t any questions. If I fill out the three-four page intake sheet, I reference my medical history form for their reference. I don’t do repetition. I expect accountability. It’s something that’s not done enough. The medical realm seems to think the need to reinvent the wheel at every appointment.

I have an autoimmune disease and I have two medical issues that disable me. One issue, may get better, if I can be heard and receive care. One will be with me for life and I will be lucky if I don’t end up in a wheel chair.

Let’s break down medical anxiety. If you are in the medical field, please take note. It’s rare, the staff has a clue, and they are so much worse than the doctors.

Anxiety is a serious condition, yet commonly dismissed as having a poor attitude or being difficult in general. Do I expect everyone to accommodate me? No. I expect common decency. However, when a doctor documents, more than once, I don’t make eye contact, this is an issue. It shows my issues are being disregarded and my health isn’t a priority.

How easy would it be to say, “Tell me if you’re feeling overwhelmed”? “How can I help you feel calmer today?” Yet, more often than that, patients with anxiety or other ailments that don’t fit in a box staff deems appropriate are labeled problem patients. Their concerns are dismissed, if even heard, and care is delayed or denied.

I am a very direct person (before my anxiety kicks in), and in today’s society, it’s a trigger for a lot of people. I tell people all the time, “I am not a bakery and I’m not sugar-coating things for you”. Doctors need better control of their staff. They took an oath to do no harm. However, those who need extra help aren’t getting it because they don’t keep their staff accountable and they don’t listen or see the patient for who they are. Be the professionals you claim to be.