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i think dr.s are out of their minds
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<blockquote data-quote="Marguerite" data-source="post: 142143" data-attributes="member: 1991"><p>Jen, I'm thinking - instead of you calling the doctor at the hospital, why not put it in writing? A phone call from a frustrated parent can be easily dismissed and discounted, but a carefully worded letter can make your point much more clearly and effectively. it also should stay on difficult child's file, so someone at a later stage might see it and get your message, even if this doctor still doesn't after reading your letter.</p><p></p><p>If you simply ring up and talk, much as you have vented here, I doubt she'll pay you much attention. I can hear your frustration and know where you're coming from, but you would have to moderate it a great deal or you would 'turn off' the doctor and she just wouldn't listen to you.</p><p></p><p>A letter written more formally can help you sequence your thoughts more easily, making the case more effectively.</p><p></p><p>You could say, </p><p>"Dear Dr G. I am still confused as to why you feel difficult child has depression, rather than bipolar. As I understand from what you explained, you feel that bipolar doesn't apply because [list the reasons she gave; try to get it right]. However, after talking to the school and discussing their observations with them, I need to make it clear that she could well be cycling, within the framework of their observations. For example, [describe the sleeping thing]. Also [mention the moods changing from one week to the next and make it clear that you cannot find any external factors to account for this occurring]. This seems to be a pattern repeated every [mention the periodicity].</p><p></p><p>I am also concerned that on some nights she isn't sleeping despite taking Ativan, and yet is reported to be functioning not only adequately next day, but extremely well as if not tired at all. </p><p></p><p>I am aware that biploar in children is difficult to diagnose and that concerns have been expressed that it is diagnosed too readily. However, I am concerned that if my child is suffering from more than depression (and I still have reservations about depression being a constant factor at all) then she may be missing out on treatment or therapy which could help her learn sooner to manage her condition, whatever it is.</p><p></p><p>Could you please confirm for me whether we should continue to keep an open mind on this issue, with a view to perhaps reconsidering this after more observations have been made?</p><p></p><p>Thank you for your consideration."</p><p></p><p>Please do not use my exact wording, I only threw this together as a guide for you. The letter needs to seem as if you wrote it, but if you use a sort of framework like this, you might get somewhere - if not now, then maybe later.</p><p></p><p>This approach has worked well for me in the past. And if you are concerned that a letter takes too long and a phone call is quicker, bear in mind that these days with fax and email, the written word can be VERY immediate.</p><p></p><p>Here's hoping that one way or another, you get the answers you need. In other words, if difficult child IS suffering from depression that the doctor can explain why this is correct; or if difficult child really DOES have bipolar, the doctor can see this and amend the diagnosis.</p><p></p><p>Marg</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Marguerite, post: 142143, member: 1991"] Jen, I'm thinking - instead of you calling the doctor at the hospital, why not put it in writing? A phone call from a frustrated parent can be easily dismissed and discounted, but a carefully worded letter can make your point much more clearly and effectively. it also should stay on difficult child's file, so someone at a later stage might see it and get your message, even if this doctor still doesn't after reading your letter. If you simply ring up and talk, much as you have vented here, I doubt she'll pay you much attention. I can hear your frustration and know where you're coming from, but you would have to moderate it a great deal or you would 'turn off' the doctor and she just wouldn't listen to you. A letter written more formally can help you sequence your thoughts more easily, making the case more effectively. You could say, "Dear Dr G. I am still confused as to why you feel difficult child has depression, rather than bipolar. As I understand from what you explained, you feel that bipolar doesn't apply because [list the reasons she gave; try to get it right]. However, after talking to the school and discussing their observations with them, I need to make it clear that she could well be cycling, within the framework of their observations. For example, [describe the sleeping thing]. Also [mention the moods changing from one week to the next and make it clear that you cannot find any external factors to account for this occurring]. This seems to be a pattern repeated every [mention the periodicity]. I am also concerned that on some nights she isn't sleeping despite taking Ativan, and yet is reported to be functioning not only adequately next day, but extremely well as if not tired at all. I am aware that biploar in children is difficult to diagnose and that concerns have been expressed that it is diagnosed too readily. However, I am concerned that if my child is suffering from more than depression (and I still have reservations about depression being a constant factor at all) then she may be missing out on treatment or therapy which could help her learn sooner to manage her condition, whatever it is. Could you please confirm for me whether we should continue to keep an open mind on this issue, with a view to perhaps reconsidering this after more observations have been made? Thank you for your consideration." Please do not use my exact wording, I only threw this together as a guide for you. The letter needs to seem as if you wrote it, but if you use a sort of framework like this, you might get somewhere - if not now, then maybe later. This approach has worked well for me in the past. And if you are concerned that a letter takes too long and a phone call is quicker, bear in mind that these days with fax and email, the written word can be VERY immediate. Here's hoping that one way or another, you get the answers you need. In other words, if difficult child IS suffering from depression that the doctor can explain why this is correct; or if difficult child really DOES have bipolar, the doctor can see this and amend the diagnosis. Marg [/QUOTE]
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i think dr.s are out of their minds
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