Spot diagnosis
Spot diagnosisSpot Diagnosis
Psychiatrists and Psychologists around the world are
entrusted with the minds of millions of people who are in a less
than perfect mental state. What is it exactly that we expect
from these professionals when we send our loved ones into their
offices? I am not sure what I expected from them, but I know
that I put all my faith and trust in the hands of these capable
professionals and felt less than faithful about their
professionalism and quality of care.
A few months ago, I took my mother to St. Peter's Hospital,
due to her suicidal expressions. I felt helpless as my mother
deteriorated each day, and knew I could not make her better by
myself. We arrived at the hospital emergency room and waited an
hour to see a crisis counselor, this person asked to speak to her
alone for about 20 minutes. After this period I was told my
mother was suffering from minor depression. I asked that she be
retained in the hospital against her will if needed be, because
of her suicidal threats and strange behavior. He then told me
that she could not held involuntarily, but if she volunteered
then she could stay. Because I felt she definitely needed help,
I was forced to try to convince her to volunteer. She admitted
to the counselor that she wanted to die, and I felt this was
reason enough to detain her. I left the hospital that night only
to have my mother call me in the morning at 8:00 am to be picked
up. She had not seen, been treated by, nor diagnosed by a
professional Psychiatrist. I was left with the responsibility of
supervising her and ensuring she did not harm herself.
Three weeks later my girlfriend who lost a baby a year ago,
decided that she would eat every pill I had in the house in the
hopes of "never waking up." As...
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