Posted by katekite on May 24, 2002, at 13:57:26
In reply to Re: for JON W. - how you feeling now? » IsoM, posted by JonW on May 24, 2002, at 10:54:28
For the next time you go in, write down or print out what you just wrote above, or something similar, and give it to him.
Something like: "I really don't want what happened with dexedrine to happen again. I have a hard time sometimes catching verbal instructions, which I find kind of embarrassing. Sometimes if I don't hear I hate to seem like a pest asking over and over -- I know I should ask you to repeat it but sometimes I think I will figure it out later, and then make a wrong assumption. It would help me out to provide really detailed written instructions. If we're talking about changes on the phone it might be a good idea to get me to repeat back to you the plan, so that we're both clear that I'm clear. Or if you have another idea about how I can handle this, please let me know. Thanks.'
I'm terrible at saying things in person, I'm much more coherent on paper. So I think it was my therapist who said 'take a list', which you can read from or just hand to them. Once I even told them not to read it til after, LOL, which didn't help much for that appointment but at least I did tell them what I needed to. Shrinks don't bat an eye at this, they are used to it. Lists or reading from something you wrote is totally appropriate if it helps.
You know your shrink would rather know that you're bad with verbal directions and concerned it could happen again, rather than have to wonder if you took 40 mg on purpose. If you say (or write) nothing they are free to assume the worst.
They will be happy to remember to get you to repeat instructions back, or give more detailed instructions in the first place, in order to prevent future accidents.
Also, if you tell them that you have some trouble with verbal directions, it lets them off the hook too as then they don't have to wonder if they mis-spoke (which they'd feel really bad about).
I'm glad you have gotten through the worst of it. Didn't sound fun. Hope your mood lifts soon.
kate
poster:katekite
thread:107475
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020517/msgs/107511.html