Hi everyone,
Really random question, has anyone obtained their medical records from when they were in psych ward/MBU? If so, did you find it helpful to go through? Or did it not make a difference? Or did it have negative affects?
I don’t think I want to get my medical records but I know it’s an option. If people had really positive experiences from doing it I would consider it.
Thank you!
Good morning WonderWomanUK.
Speaking from personal experience I obtained my medical notes from the birth to when I was discharged from the general psychiatric unit.
One thing to be cautious of is they can be a little triggering but mine also made me quite happy as they showed many elements of me just being ME when I didn’t feel like me. It was reassuring to read that the old me was still there and of course it was nice to read that I very much loved my children despite being unwell.
☺️
Hi WonderWomanUK I actually did request my medical records from when I was in the psych ward. It was such a confusing time that I wanted to understand how I was behaving and what happened. I remembered a lot but the medical records filled in the blanks and helped me process what had happened.
Also, I was put under section and into a notoriously bad local psych ward (under investigation, lots of police calls and neglect). I had a lot of anger about that when I looked back. I wanted to understand why they did put me under section. It helped me accept that that was the only option they had until a bed came available in the MBU. Also the state of mental health in the NHS is not something any of the team that dealt with me could change.
The psych was a terrible place to send mothers in the height of psychosis (or anyone for that matter!) as it made my symptoms far worse. There was a lot of odd things I experienced so I wanted to see what the medical staff put in there observation. Pretty uneventful reading but good to see I was calm on the surface despite what I was experiencing. It was reassuring to see that I kept saying I just wanted the best for my family, and to be back with them as quickly as possible.
Your right to be wary of getting them though, so just make sure it is right for you and you are prepared to read them and relive the events. If you do obtain them, I hope they help your recovery process as they did mine 🙏
I did get my medical records but I wouldn’t say it was a very positive experience. One useful thing was that I wanted a summary of all the medications they had tried on me. However I did not enjoy reading their comments. Some of them were fairly negative and painted a picture of me I did not enjoy hearing. Even if it was true, that was someone else’s view of me at a bad time in my life. I felt like some of the notes were inaccurate and they had misunderstood me. I later discarded them because I did not want anyone else like my family reading it. In fact I probably need to check my files to make sure they are all gone.
I'd really consider why you want to do this once you've read it you can't unknown it again I had huge blackouts in mbu one lasting over a week but you mind protects you from trauma it's there to help you and for good reason it's a personal choice but I'd never get my notes it would only hurt me and I know I still looked after my baby that's all I need to know x
Hello 👋
I obtained my medical records when I planned my second baby. My thoughts were that my husband could read them and have an understanding of what I went through. My first child was with a different person so he didn't know me at this time.
They arrived and my husband showed no interest in reading them. They were quite large! I had a flick through but began to find it upsetting, so just shoved them under the bed. They remain there four years later. I think it depends on what you are looking for whether or not you find them upsetting.
Best wishes
Cheryl x
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