detrimental psychiatrist

[Vesna]

Hi everyone and thanks for reading this. I started to see a shrink two and a half years ago to help me sort through violent family issues from my childhood. For the first two years I felt very empowered and validated and she more or less told me what I wanted to hear. How naive I was.

 

Here's the problem. Just before Christmas '09, she mentioned the 'increased generosity' of my body which truthfully was caused by binge drinking, getting stoned and eating uncontrollably during a hard emotional time. I'd also had severe back pains and was on heavy painkillers for a time and not doing much physical. She convinced me that I had to lose weight in order to alleviate the back pain and avoid future problems. She prescribed Reductil, which I took for a month and I monitored my food intake. I started at 89 kg and lost six kg in two weeks. Upon learning about the potentially lethal qualities of this drug I stopped it. She insisted I keep taking it. I wouldn't. This is where I think the real trouble started.

 

She started telling me about her own weight issues and we compared our insecurities. About this woman; she is 70. She still has a figure. It appears she has had 'work' done - her ex is a plastic surgeon. For her age she looks good. No, she looks great. She had an affair with a client many years ago and upon breaking up he committed suicide. I was getting suspicious of her and before one particular appt with her I googled her and found an article in a 1977 newspaper stating that she was running a group of sorts for women with a history of child sexual abuse. One of the women went into hysterics, as these groups are known to cause, was left to scream and punch a pillow while the group carried on in another room. Upon returning to this poor lady, they discovered she was dead. When I returned home after an appointment with this shrink I googled it again and the article was gone.

 

She referred me to a physio and dietitian (out of her professional boundary). She ordered MRI, X-rays and a barrage of blood tests. She prescribed more and more anti-depressants. She continued to talk about food and weight control. Constantly. She prescribed a 1970s type 'it's cool to be thin' diet for me. Over time I was feeling more and more disgusted with myself and she asked me if I wanted to end up looking like my mother and hating myself forever. (My mother beat me a lot). She even suggested a preventative breast reduction op to stop my boobs from getting any bigger. Again, because of my back.

 

Now I am extremely insecure about my weight and think about it 24/7. I am 82 kg and have been convinced that I am twice the weight. I have been left with damaging body image issues which I never experienced before. I live on an island state and there is only one specialist in this area and she is 250 km from where I live.

 

I have kept all records of my time with this B**** and have a Health Complaints Commissioner complaint form waiting to be filled. I'm scared for myself now. I tried to conciliate with her before I decided to take action and never heard from her. I was seeing her on a weekly basis.

 

It isn't too late to lodge a complaint. I know I should and have this woman stopped. I am even considering claiming for compensation (a modest and fair amount), but on what grounds could I do this? What do you people think? Your opinions will be appreciated.

[Perhaps]

I think this warrants a lawyer's opinion. I don't know about the U.S. but in my country, lawyers usually offer free half hour consultations to see if a case can be built.

[Taramere]

I think this warrants a lawyer's opinion. I don't know about the U.S. but in my country, lawyers usually offer free half hour consultations to see if a case can be built.

 

That free half hour consultation is little more than an admission that trying to get payment out of a client with whom the lawyer's dealings were restricted to a half hour appointment, and who didn't hear what they wanted to hear, (ie "you have a case") can be a headache.

 

I agree though that the OP should take legal advice. Probably from a male lawyer as she seems to have a history of problems with other women.

Edited October 20, 2010 by Taramere

[Honorable_Venerable]

Depending on the systems within the country, if the woman is any sort of licenced practioner, raise the complaint via the appropriate professional body or ombudsman.

[skydiveaddict]

Just go find another shrink. Report him/her in the meantime, but you should focus on getting well.

[Vesna]

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far. I have name on the list to see a psych who works with CSA survivors. I will be seeing a mental health advocate in the next couple of weeks so I can process the situation in a level kind of way.

 

I can't believe this woman still has the license to practice. I have met two of her other very long term female clients and they feel the same way as I do. One of the women I met is a gargantuan 50 kgs at five feet and eight inches tall and she has a tummy because of the meds. The shrink even grills the crap out of her for having a bloated belly.

 

I won't be helping just myself by having this charlatan stopped. I will be saving a few other women from the extreme angst caused by this dickhead's hatred. I detected a common thread amongst us and after figuring it out we are all affected in Stockholm Syndome way.

[marcusslawrence]

It depends on the ignorance of the representatives of Human Resources. You can use this information against you, when you give the opportunity for employment. The question is not asked directly, just do not voluntarily provide useless information. Your application for employment you allow your medical records. Authorize it and that is the end.

[genakriggs]

This is the same thing with online pharmacy reviews you really have to be careful in choosing and not just relying on what is being claimed.

 

Find another shrink. That's it.