Seeing Psychiatrist hurt job chances in this market

[Summers_Off]

Hello. I am having some martial problems and my hubby is finally willing to see a counselor, but he has insisted that we see a psychiatrist "in case someone needs medication". Ok, whatever. Currently, I am only a student, but I am concerned that this could haunt me. I know that things are supposed to be confidential in the business world that I am used to, but aren't things different in the medical field. Could this somehow mess me up? I know employers check credit reports and criminal backgrounds. Can they ask if you have ever been treated by a Psychiatrist? Is something like that fair game? Please don't beat me up about not knowing enough about HIPAA (pretty please w/ sugar on top, I'm just in A&P1 ). I am asking for the insider real deal. There are loopholes for everything and I guess my question is are there healthcare provider loopholes that would make that information accessible to future employers.

Thanks!

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

It's hard to believe that anything these days is truly private, such as sessions with a shrink.

I agree with those above who said you're likely to get more actual counseling from a psychologist or social worker or clergyperson. I'm glad your husband is willing to counsel - seems like most men aren't.

I hope things go well for you.

Never, never, ever share anything at work that you don't want shouted from the rooftop.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Your job will not ask you if you're being seen by any doctor. Any medication you

have, you better have a legal prescription that's all. Good luck.

I'd never have a drug that wasn't prescribed.. What concerns me is that they see the script list and can tell by my meds what I'm being treated for. I guess if we get to the drug test the job is secured as long as you pass the test?

[highlandlass1592, BSN, RN]

I'd never have a drug that wasn't prescribed.. What concerns me is that they see the script list and can tell by my meds what I'm being treated for. I guess if we get to the drug test the job is secured as long as you pass the test?

No one is going to see a med list unless you give it to them. If you need a drug test, you may be asked to provide proof of prescription if something you takes flags positive. They still are not given a complete list of meds you are taking. That is no one's business but yours. I've had hospitals ask me for a list of meds I'm taking as part of a pre-employment physical..NONE of their business and I tell them I won't be sharing that information. I do share what I'm allergic to, that issue is relevant for people who may have something like a latex allergy (they must provide you with non-latex equipment for example). That's it. They may push for that info from you....you are NOT required to give it. Keep that in mind.

[htrn]

Congratulations on going to college - very hard work once your married, esp if you have kids. Don't worry about anyone finding out about marriage counseling, medications prescribed, seeing a psychiatrist, etc... It is illegal for future employers to ask and for your health care providers to tell. As far as them guessing at a diagnosis based on your medication list - they can try, but so many medications are used "off label" that it would only be a guess on their part.

I am, however, more concerned about your husband wanting to go to a psychiatrist for marriage counseling "just in case anyone needs medication". The psychiatrists are not marriage counselors - you need to see a psychologist or a social worker that specializes in marriage and family counseling. They are trained in referring people they feel may need medication to their primary care provider or a psychiatrist if meds are indicated. His comment really looks like he feels that you are the problem and if you get on meds his life will be wonderful again. JMHO.

Nursing school sucks under the best of circumstances. It's demanding, stressful, hard work with extremely long hours. But it's also so worth it. I hope your husband gets behind you to support you through school and I wish both of you the best of luck with marriage counseling.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

Congratulations on going to college - very hard work once your married, esp if you have kids. Don't worry about anyone finding out about marriage counseling, medications prescribed, seeing a psychiatrist, etc... It is illegal for future employers to ask and for your health care providers to tell. As far as them guessing at a diagnosis based on your medication list - they can try, but so many medications are used "off label" that it would only be a guess on their part.

I am, however, more concerned about your husband wanting to go to a psychiatrist for marriage counseling "just in case anyone needs medication". The psychiatrists are not marriage counselors - you need to see a psychologist or a social worker that specializes in marriage and family counseling. They are trained in referring people they feel may need medication to their primary care provider or a psychiatrist if meds are indicated. His comment really looks like he feels that you are the problem and if you get on meds his life will be wonderful again. JMHO.

Nursing school sucks under the best of circumstances. It's demanding, stressful, hard work with extremely long hours. But it's also so worth it. I hope your husband gets behind you to support you through school and I wish both of you the best of luck with marriage counseling.

this is exactly what I was thinking!....

[whodatnurse]

this is exactly what I was thinking!....

Yeah...me too. Your husband may indeed me thinking, "YOU need to be on medication...not "I" am going to have to do the hard work of therapy."

[ktwlpn, LPN]

I'd never have a drug that wasn't prescribed.. What concerns me is that they see the script list and can tell by my meds what I'm being treated for. I guess if we get to the drug test the job is secured as long as you pass the test?

I'm not sure that they commonly test for things like mood stabilizers and anti-depressants.I know they test for illegals and barbituates and marijuana.Some hospitals even test for tobacco. Does anyone els know what is commonly on a pre-emplyment drug screen?

[sandracassie3000]

Can I help you? Your husband is probably emotionally abusive. He finally agreed to go to counseling (meaning that he feels that he is beyond reproach) but he wants to go to a psychiatrist in case one of you need meds? The fact that you have suggested that you might end up being medicated says that you are too impressionable to his suggestions. He has probably suggested that you need medication already and is blaming all the problems of your marriage on you. Google "crazy-making". It is a technique that emotionally abusive spouses use in order to actually cause the other spouse to seem or even go crazy. Honey, there is nothing wrong with you. What is probably going on, is your husband is threatened by your academic achievement and professional advancement, and is probably taking it out on you. He probably had complete control over you before you started school, and he's worried that once you finish your degree, he will lose that control. Nothing you do is ever right, huh? I know all this because I am just now coming out of a divorce from such a horrible spouse who tried to do the exact same thing to me (I'm not a nursing student but I'm a medical student). Especially if there is a significant age difference between the two of you (you being younger). Honey I can't tell you what to do but this marriage is not good for you. If you're not ready to get out now, then at least forget about going to the psychiatrist. Chances are, you are so impressionable that you might say things that would make yourself seem like you need medication even though you don't. My advice is to get connected to family and friends who know you, find people that can build you up because it sounds like your husband is tearing you down right when you need his support the most. I know what this is like, my husband would force me out of the house when I needed to study and I was forced to study in places I wasn't familiar with. He would tell me that I wasn't smart and that I had a learning disability. (And he didn't even have his bachelor's when we were married...pathetic)

In conclusion, I think you know in your heart something is wrong. If you don't please get a female friend outside of your marriage stat so you can get support to help you through your marriage. And whatever you do, do not go to the psychiatrist. Your husband is trying to get you convinced and he will also try to convince the psychiatrist that you need meds (even though you don't). Once you have a psych diagnosis there is no going back and it will make you unconsciously look down on yourself (sorry it's true) and it will cause problems in your professional advancement. This will be the ultimate way that your husband will have total control over you, that is what his sick mind is seeking. Any argument you guys have, he will say you're crazy. He can go out and cheat on you, and then lie to you in your face and say you're crazy (it was done to me by my ex). I will pray that you see this message and see through his b.s. God please help my online friend right now to see through what is going on in Jesus' name, Amen. I will pray for you tonight girlfriend, an abusive marriage while you are going through school is the pits. What is your husband's culture? Giiiirrrrlllll, I'm African-American, and you know ladies in our culture are very outspoken. I was married to a Chicano and most of the issues we had in our marriage were due to the machismo thing, he could not stand any loss of control! If he doesn't change you need to get out. It is not your fault, and furthermore it is not your problem and it is not your job to fix someone. Especially if he is toxic to you. Get yourself together, get your kids together if you need to and get out. Abuse is never acceptable, if someone is having you doubt your sanity and controlling you that is abuse. Ok honey I will PRAY.

[sandracassie3000]

and don't be afraid to call on God. When my husband was doing what he was doing to me I was so isolated. He had isolated me from family and friends (typical abuser thing) and I had actually begun to believe that I had psych issues due to his constant insinuations. At this time I was not attending church, I was not even really believing in God, and my faith had been unused for months, I wasn't even praying. Girl I called on God. I asked God to give me signs (Because I am a believer in marriage and I did not want to leave). God showed me what my husband was doing. One day it was like the scales fell from my eyes and I saw in an instant what was going on, when I had been fooled for 3 years. And I gave my husband an ultimatum. I said there were some things he needed to do and if he didn't do them I would file. Honey he didn't do them, he started cheating on me, he abandoned me (moved out), I waited 2 months then I filed. Just pray honey. God will help you, God will show you, people will come into your life to help you. We are all God's children, not just the Christians. God will help anyone. Stay strong, stay in your academic program and keep making good grades. DO NOT go to the psychiatrist. How do you think you are going to focus when you are stressed out about a diagnosis? You know you don't have issues, it is your husband trying to put them on you because he is insecure. Stay strong and pray. Trust me, I don't care if you have cursed God out (I have done it several times with expletives and everything). I don't care if you don't believe in God. God will still help, trust me I was an atheist for 2 years and did not pray. And when I had NO ONE, God came through for me and helped me see through the crap, and stay in school, and pass my boards. I am still in school honey. I am graduating with my MD in 2 years, I passed my boards, I never repeated a class. Pray pray pray God will help you. Hold on. You can contact me at [email protected] if you wish. And furthermore God will bring someone else into your life that's 10x better (it happened to me girl). And due to this horrible experience you will now know how to avoid abusers. If you grew up with an abusive dad (whether it be emotional, sexual, physical) you are more prone to being abused. My dad was abusive and it predisposed me to predators. Once you get out of this, you will be sharp, like a sword. You will be able to cut through men's b.s. and see the truth. No abuser will ever have a hold over you. You have the strength inside of you, you are already questioning the hold this man has over you. Rise up and overcome.

[JFTPMF]

TrophyWife, can you please send me an email at [email protected]. Its very important. Thanks