A physician talks about domestic violence from personal experience
“Working through the pain of an abusive marriage has made me a better physician, though. I can pick up on subtle hints and comments thrown my way when I ask patients, ‘How is your marriage?’ and ‘Do you feel like you’re walking on eggshells when your spouse is home?’
I’ve watched female patients leave abusive marriages. One to two years later, many of these women display increased self-esteem, satisfaction with new careers, and a healthy support system with other women. They look back on their divorce as the best thing that ever happened to them.”
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{ 4 comments }
Three cheers for Dr. Hutchinson! It’s been almost three years since I left my husband of 23 years, and life just gets better. Safe solitude is a beautiful experience. My own physician provided essential support during those hard transitional months – she offered me samples of necessary medications to keep in my “in case I need to flee” bag, and she saw me for same-day visits for the following year when I was sick repeatedly. Her support when I fled, and her support of my subsequent medical education has meant the world to me…and yes, I’ve told her!
Kevin! Ironic you mention this…I’m a 3rd year medical student in my first rotation and just this week had a patient who told me in the middle of her appointment (cc: stomach ache…but quickly I realized depression might be the more serious concern…) that she had been brutely raped as a child. I didn’t know if my reponse was appropriate and went looking all over the web trying to find info on appropriate responses/initial counseling techniques. I came up empty. Where does a physician learn such things?!? I definitely didn’t get it my first two years of med school… Any sites/books you can recommend?
In my experience, all you can do is be quiet and listen.
CJD
Following up on my previous comment/question…I found a great website:
http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/facts/disasters/
Some of the documents actually contain sample statements/questions in ” “. I must say, I feel like several of the attendings I have observed seem very uncomfortable dealing with certain mental issues. And I have first hand knowledge that mental health can play a very large part in physical health–and physical health may be the presenting problem…which will not resolve until the underlying mental issue is addressed. Only 5 weeks into my first rotation as a medical student, I am amazed by the depression and anxiety and insomnia and anger and domestic violence and food abuse (leading to obesity) and subsequent drug abuse that is brought up just by taking a couple minutes to ask.
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