Posted by Dr. Bob on April 30, 2004, at 22:26:21
In reply to Re: NHS circus, posted by cybercafe on April 30, 2004, at 5:11:00
> > It's hard to know what the best strategy is in circumstances like your own. A certain amount of benefit would be possible depending on all the usual factors--how long you've been outside UK, etc. As for disability, that was hard to get because they are so down on giving disability to people who legitamately need it, they really make you roll through hoops and that kind of exertion and interference can be devastating if you are very ill and unable to handle social situations. For those who do go along they get a grilling. Unpleasant. I was fortunate to have a social worker and CPN, as well as my new pdoc, who informed the board that I was simply too unwell to go along to a testing group. It would have thrown me over an edge.
> >
> > But I'm not trying to say anything is impossible, sometimes people get smooth help. I hope that happens for you. And if you do decide to study psychiatry, I think it is very hopeful, because psychiatry has got to either give up on itself or start having confidence in their work, believing in mental illness and not treating patients like they are con artists/pathetic/hopeless/manipulative/sad excuses for a human being. If mental illness is real, stop blaming the patients. If it is not real, everyone should close wards and clinics and pdocs should be eliminated, and mental health nurses should retrain to deal with "real" illnesses. I am fed up with how often patients are suspect, treated like they're pulling a fast one. If mental illness is real then we should be given the same down to earth, non-judgemental care that patients get on physical wards.
> >
> > They need to be practical, scientific as possible and when the art part comes in, they need to really listen to what theirpatient says more than ever, since they are also in the dark in those areas of the mind that are poorly understood. It At best their needs to be partnership, with the pdoc offering his/her expertise and support, and the patient offering careful feedback that is truly taken in by the pdoc in a respectful way.
> >
> > The world needs psychiatrists who have well deserved self-respect but not king-size egos; up to the minute knowledge of mental illnesses and treatments, and integrity, so they don't debase their clients.
> >
> > There has to be a way for med schools to weed out the power hungry psychiatry students who just love to play mind games with the weak and vulnerable. If you do go for this study, it's encouraging to know there will be at least one caring psychiatrist out there. And there are a few others, thank heavens. best of luck to you.
>
> i dunno! last time i was in london i worked for a year and was making around 30 quid an hour at one time so i certainly paid my NIC while i was there! ... i also have a family friend who works in the benefits office, though i'm not sure we want him to know about my disability (read: my mother is embarassed of me, haha)
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:342008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040430/msgs/342008.html