Many who suffer from adhesions face a medical world that is less than helpful and certainly less than kind. Many sufferers feel total helpless after seeking medical help for this condition. Across ARD forums, stories are posted in the same context time and time again: the doctor blew me off, told me I needed an antidepressant, suggested I have IBS, insulted me by stating I need a psychiatric evaluation, asked if I was in an abusive relationship, insisted that I repeat the same medical tests that I've had numerous times before...
Yes, there is a pattern among ARD sufferers-all sharing the same narrative, regardless of the city/state/country one resides.
In short, thanks to the world-wide-web, those who suffer from adhesions can now compare experiences. The public, especially women who comprise the largest segment who suffer, are learning that the medical world at large relies on a convenient system of diversion regarding those who suffer from adhesions.
When a condition is too problematic, perhaps the hippocratic oath should be: first, divert attention.
Clearly, the medical world at large often prefers to divert the patient from the crux of the matter: pain and suffering. And in many cases, severe pain and suffering. As inconceivable as it may seem, rather than admit defeat over a medical condition, or simply inform the patient there is no help for his or her condition, the medical world often chooses diversion. This diversion can serve the physician very well. First and foremost, he or she can keep a lid on the subject of adhesions, rather than openly discussing this broad, complex, deeply involved condition (who has time for that?). Secondly, what doctor wants to begin the discussion of adhesions and risk the questions that follow? Example: "Just how did I get these adhesions?"
When the doctor is well aware that surgery is the number one cause of adhesions, what doctor would look forward to opening that can of worms?
Lastly, insults, or making light of this painful-often debilitating-condition, and/or continually sending the sufferer out for endless tests that never produce an answer, ensures the doctor that the patient will soon look elsewhere for help. Medical diversion works. Ignore the suffering, suggest she's crazy, send her out for tests.....
Yes, it is often simpler to beat around the bush than to plow right into the middle of it. For the physician, too much is at stake.
As we learn more about this illness, more information comes to light. Recently, I came across a telling publication. Language plays such a critical and valuable role in our lives. Sometimes we fail to listen carefully, but even simple words can speak great truths, carry heavy meaning, even provide answers to pressing questions, if only we pay attention.
Consider the following article (link below). The title alone speaks volumes and carries with it powerful meaning. I believe this one article alone provides complete explanation as to why ARD stories the world over mirror one another.
Read: THE DIFFICULT PATIENT
When we look up the word DIFFICULT in the dictionary, we find this definition:
Not easy. Requiring much work or skill to do or make. Not easy to deal with or manage.
Please note: While many ARD sufferers are medically blown off time and again, the DIFFICULT PATIENT article also provides another telling statement: However, it is evident that continuous abdominal pain leads to evident suffering and disability.
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