Cantthinkofname
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Help! Fed up with tthe stigma and vicious circle of discrimination
Hi,
I'm new here but I am wondering if anyone can give any advice on how to find out my diagnosis and challenge any medical opinions on my record.
I have a history of 'depression' (at least I think I do as I don't know what my diagnosis is) lasting around 12 or 13 years. At the moment it has affected my ability in accessing medical help or education for my child. Each time I am treated as a mental patient and dismissed. Over the years I have ended up on the sidelines as neither myself or my son can access any medical help or help with education or any services that we are entitled too as my son is a minor and I am treated as a vulnerable person despite the fact the social services have assessed me and found me capable of parenting my child and not a risk also capable of independent living despite my illness.
I know it is a matter of discrimination but I am going in circles as I cannot prove it. My GP has often acted illegally, so has my son's school and so have the social services on several occasions. But each time there is nothting I can do as they are all official bodies or professionals who have so much power of my life and my son's life.
I have only just discovered how to make a complaint against the GP but then realised it must be made within 6 months of the problem and also would have a devastating effect on me. I keep reading all these wonderful things about disability rights but yet I cannot see what I can do when my rights are abused.
After many years of negligence on so many counts I cannot name I want to know if there is anyway I can at least complain. Or even find a way of being recognised as a parent when dealing with my son's medical health as it is very stressful and costly to go privately and it will be many years before he becomes an adult. I don't even think there are advocates who really understand parental roles when it comes to mental health. At the moment I can either be a parent and carer or a mental health patient. I am both. What can I do?
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27/Aug/07, 16:53
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squillie
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Re: Help! Fed up with tthe stigma and vicious circle of discrimination
Hi there, welcome to the board.
Sorry to read of your situation, it sounds very frustrating. I'm not sure what to suggest myself, but try looking up www.rethink.org - they seem very good with the legal ins and outs and entitlements.
Good luck, and keep us posted.
Squillie x
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28/Aug/07, 8:36
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polly5
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Re: Help! Fed up with tthe stigma and vicious circle of discrimination
hi
there are support networks out there that can help you try http://www.mentalhealthsupport.co.uk/mentalhealth/
firstly you are not a mental patient you are 1 of 4 of the population that is suffering from a mental illness you are as you state a good mother living indepedently.
As for been treated unfairly regarding you and your sons treatment. you have the right to both you and your sons medical records under the freedom of infomation act 2002.
see http://www.jisclegal.ac.uk/freedomofinformation/freedomofinformation.htm
hope this was help full
good luck polly
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28/Aug/07, 11:00
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squillie
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Re: Help! Fed up with tthe stigma and vicious circle of discrimination
Thanks Polly - useful website! x
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28/Aug/07, 11:48
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Cantthinkofname
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Re: Help! Fed up with tthe stigma and vicious circle of discrimination
Thanks Squilly and Polly for responding,
I also came across the rethink site you posted (@ Squilly) and I gave them a call they were very helpful as they pointed out I could get my records directly from my Primary Care Trust and not from the GP. So I'm giving it a go. It's good to know that someone understands what I'm talking about too.
I suppose it isn't true to call myself a mental patient but being treated that way for so long is frustrating. I'm even begining to feel genuinely worried for the 3 out of four people who are supposidly ok. 
Last edited by Cantthinkofname, 28/Aug/07, 21:20
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28/Aug/07, 20:58
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jbaz73
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Re: Help! Fed up with tthe stigma and vicious circle of discrimination
hi,
you've been given good advice. not got much to add, just my 'twopenny worth'
if you ask your gp or shrink what your dx is, they are legally bound to tell you unless they believe you're going to do something bad as a result.
you can contact your gp surgery manager and request your records. they will usually give you the option to go to the surgery and read them (usually the quickest way) or if you pay about a tenner they will give you photocopies. if you go to the PCT then expect to wait 6 months.
jay
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29/Aug/07, 16:33
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Cantthinkofname
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Re: Help! Fed up with tthe stigma and vicious circle of discrimination
Hi Jay,
Thanks for responding. I did try the GP route as I am no longer in contact with my psychiatrist and all I have got is 'you are a vulnerable adult'. That doesn't mean anything. As far as I know he is within his rights to withold information that he believes might affect my 'condition' so basically he can do that and there is nothing I can do about it. Laws and rights are all well and good but nothing I do can make him do what he should as he insists on treating me as less than human.
I suppose I will have a long wait for the PCT then.  After all these years I don't think 6 months is too bad.
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2/Sep/07, 0:31
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