I just wanted to ask you something today.

Dear Doctor

I just wanted to ask you something today. How do you cope with something that LOOKS like it is physical - can’t think of anything off the top of my head, - and you turn around and tell me that actually no, it is mental or vice versa?

Yes, I have heard of referred pain already and can see the sense in it. But physical pain being a mental issue? Or even the other way around? Because when you say things like that, it makes me angry and I think you haven’t HEARD what I actually SAY to you.

Is there a way to handle this better than with just anger? Because (whether it’s true or not) it seems like many medical people don’t listen to the patient or even believe what they say. And the attitude appears to be almost a “godlike” stance of “being” right.

Doctor, do you think it would be possible for you to explain to me WHY you think something isn’t as I think it is? I know you only have a short amount of time to spend with each patient, bt if you COULD just spend a couple more minutes explaining to me, I think I would feel much better and it would save me a lot of heartache. I’m sure I’m not the only one who struggles with it.

Thank you for listening to me Doctor.

The Invisible Patient