I'm going to recount the invalidating 10 minute conversation I had with this man, whom I'm assuming has a very large superiority complex.
I called initially to ask if Dr Blumberg was accepting new patients. He called me back within five minutes, and I thought this very thoughtful; it usually takes a few days or weeks to hear back from some of these doctors. Hindsight tells me it's probably because he isn't very busy.
I say thank you for calling me back, he says you're welcome. There is awkward silence. I ask if he is taking new patients. He says, "well, that depends. I have a few questions to ask."
I say, "okay," cheerfully.
Another awkward silence. He says, almost annoyed, "Would you like me to ask you the questions?"
I say, " . . . yes."
He asks me if I use alcohol or drugs (problematically, I assume). I say no. He asks if I've ever been hospitalized for suicide attempts and I say no. He asked a couple other questions I can't recall in their entirety. We eventually get to why I am there. I mention I'm on leave from work and he asks me where I work. I explain I'm a peer counselor, or peer support worker, under Encompass Community Services here in town. There is another awkward silence. He says, "I--okay, I don't UNDERSTAND what that means. I don't understand the concept of a peer counselor."
I say, "okay," and explain to him all of the work we do with county mental health clients and the support we offer at a residential program. I explain that the support we offer comes both from training and personal experience. He says, with condescension, "Okay, I HEAR YOU, but . . . so basically you help people who might be a little distressed."
I say "sure." I've learned from almost 5 years working in this type of environment that a lot of medical professionals don't recognize peer support as valid, and that's okay. They'll learn eventually.
He asks about my hospitalization history. I explain it was due to delusional thinking. I say nothing more because I don't feel I can trust him already. I consider hanging up without another word but am not rude by nature.
We move on. He says "IF we work together, IF we do that, what would you want from me?"
I explain the issues I've been having, and say specifically I would like some help with medication management. I say I have a history of taking medication and then going off of it and would like someone to help me also stay accountable because I think I need medication for a little longer term than I usually take it.
He asks me which medication I'm talking about. I mention the name of one that's helped in the past (Abilify), as well as a list of SSRI's that sort of did nothing in the way of anxiety.
He says, "Okay. So WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME."
I basically repeat what I said above, in a slightly different way.
He asks, "Are you delusional."
I said "No."
He said, "if you're not taking medication [right now], are you delusional?"
I laughed slightly because I was shaking and thoroughly angered. I said "NO, I don't think so."
He says, "okay. Would you like to work together?"
I said, "I think I'm going to find someone else."
He said, sarcastically, "Okay, GOOD LUCK."
And that concluded our initial consultation. My advice is to stay away from someone who comes across as if they know more than you do about your experiences and aren't willing to learn. My advice is to also never settle for someone like this. Don't be afraid to say what you need, and what I needed was to get away. You are not obligated to be treated like shit just because you have a mental health issue.
As for Dr Blumberg, all I have to say to you is: Times have changed, and so thinking must change. I enjoy a doctor who is upfront and blunt when I need it. I don't enjoy one who is simply rude.
He doesn't even know I'm college educated, have a steady work history, own a brand new car which I bought myself, enjoy my medium social media presence (of which will be learning of this), and have a psychologist I see weekly. I'm not an invalid. He doesn't regard people as people, just lower-life forms compared to himself. Do not settle.
I will say he is the reason I work where I work. He is the type of doctor I strive to put out of business. His invalidation, which I've experienced countless times, particularly in these last five months for some reason (compared to the last 10 years of my life) is the reason I'm continuing my degree climb and going into research. Some people just don't know how to talk to people. read more
