Comments on: Dumbass doctor

By: MonkeyPants

MonkeyPants — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 06:41:48 +0000

My dad has a saying for this: 50% of doctors graduated in the bottom half of their class.

I love my GP, but there have been other times when I have seen other doctors, and I have been really unimpressed.

By: erin

erin — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 02:34:45 +0000

Marmot, I agree absolutely that even light exercise can play a role in helping with depression. At least, speaking anecdotally, it plays a part for me. I’m planning on doing yoga once my knee heals enough, and I’m very excited to get back into an exercise routine.

However, what the doctor did not seem to grasp is that I have a ‘broken’ knee – I can’t do a lot of exercises. I even told him I’m going to physio to strengthen my knee and leg for surgery and that did not seem to be enough.

I also hate the attitude that I get sometimes from doctors, that I am an idiot and cannot possibly have any idea of how to best deal with my health and my body (which is perfectly illustrated by rock_grrl’s account).

By: rock_grrl

rock_grrl — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:59:02 +0000

This reminds me of the time I went to the clinic at SFU for my six-month STI screening (because, you know, I’m a responsible sexually active adult) and was told I was CLEARLY bi-polar because I enjoyed having sex with multiple partners. *headdesk*

The doctor’s puritan values were vomited all over me until I finally had to put up my hand, thank her for her unwanted advice, and ask AGAIN for the damn STI screening and DOUBLE CHECK she knew what STIs I wanted to be tested for (yes, all of them thank you).

Sometimes doctors can be so incredibly thick it is painful. THIS is why I am seeing midwives for my prenatal care. They at least know the difference between an intelligent patient and one who needs “teaching”.

/rant

By: marmot

marmot — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:27:30 +0000

I’m always amazed that while doctors go through years and years of school, it doesn’t seem they learn much about communicating with patients – I really hope this is changing nowadays, but honestly I’m not up on the med school procedures. Still, I get annoyed after hearing case after case of doctors who seem to lack the basic people skills to effectively and respectfully talk – and listen! – to their patients.

‘Zat said, I do wonder if your replacement doctor was asking you about exercise simply because of the plethora of research that’s coming out suggesting that exercise is at least as effective as anti-depressants in treating mild to moderate depression – and this includes gentle exercise like walking, not necessarily cardio-bustin’ moves. Exercise boosts serotonin and dopamine, which might explain this. Anecdotally, as someone who has lived with depression for 26 years, I do think my daily bicycling I started this year has had a major impact on my mood regulation. Please note that I’m not recommending (to anyone!) to drop meds and replace them with exercise, but just that it’s something to keep in mind and discuss with your regular doctor.