@bpforlife Your description of what has been happening is indeed sad and so disappointing. I’d like to think that all of the medical providers we see will be patient, listen to us, and will help us find the best solution. Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen for many reasons including the fact that the medical providers are human. We react, they react, and it all escalates from there.
I have a suggestion. My suggestion has worked for me many times that I have worried about something that might or might not happen and so I’m feeling very anxious. I am proactive. I’m going to use a medical appointment as an example for being proactive. Let’s imagine an appointment with your psychiatrist. At the very beginning of the appointment, you will say « I want to share something about myself. I am very reactive and sometimes I get very angry. I know you are here to help me. I’m telling you this to get this out in the open because it will help me feel more calm during our appointment ».
I made up the words you could say but hopefully you get the idea. I’m thinking you are worried that you will be filled with rage before you have a chance to tell your doctor what’s going on with you. If you put it all out there at the beginning of your appointment your doctor won’t be caught so off-guard. You don’t have to tell the doctor about your childhood trauma. Make your proactive statement short and also let the doctor know you are working with a therapist who has been helping you.
If was a doctor and someone was proactive with me like I described I would try my best to listen and help.
I have used this method many, many times. I’ve used it with doctors, at work, and in my personal relationships. It works for me. I hope it could work for you.
What do you think about my suggestions?
Hi Helen,
Thank you for your suggestion. I will try that. The problem is, though, that I often feel like I am ok, no sign of rage. Then the doctor or other person catches me off guard and does or says something that sends me from 0 to 1000 to a microsecond. Because I do not know when the rage will surface, I would have to always be proactive. Most appointments go ok. I have probably been to more than 100 appointments in the past two years. Four of them got me kicked out and for all 4 I did not see it coming.
Jennifer