FAO Doctors/Pharmacists/Chemists

[Capt Pat]

Can the GPs find out if you are not picking up prescriptions. Yes most of this stuff is computerised these days so it is easy to know. In the past they may give the impression of indifference if people aren't picking up prescriptions, etc but they will know generally speaking if people are taking the piss out of them by not getting the medications or getting too much.

The thing about doctors is their code of omerta means they will never throw stones, so you can go to them for sick notes or get the prescritptions for depression or whatever and they will know you are taking the piss but will say nothing.

[pintsofguinness]

Can the GPs find out if you are not picking up prescriptions. Yes most of this stuff is computerised these days so it is easy to know. In the past they may give the impression of indifference if people aren't picking up prescriptions, etc but they will know generally speaking if people are taking the piss out of them by not getting the medications or getting too much.

The thing about doctors is their code of omerta means they will never throw stones, so you can go to them for sick notes or get the prescritptions for depression or whatever and they will know you are taking the piss but will say nothing.

that's not true, my doctor would throw you out on your ear if he thought you were taking the piss!

[Puckoon]

Can the GPs find out if you are not picking up prescriptions. Yes most of this stuff is computerised these days so it is easy to know. In the past they may give the impression of indifference if people aren't picking up prescriptions, etc but they will know generally speaking if people are taking the piss out of them by not getting the medications or getting too much.

The thing about doctors is their code of omerta means they will never throw stones, so you can go to them for sick notes or get the prescritptions for depression or whatever and they will know you are taking the piss but will say nothing.

By code of omerta you mean the fact that every script they write helps to line their pockets? Keeps the Drug reps happy? Gets them a free round of golf and dinner here or there?

Omerta me arse.

"Don Pollock will see you now".

[Hardy]

I'd say I've filled about half the prescriptions I've been given by doctors over the years. Thankfully, I haven't needed to go that often - last time was about 5 years ago. But you'll rarely come out of a surgery without a prescription, whether you need it or not. Antibiotics, painkillers, statins, tranquilisers, anti-inflammatories, sleeping pills are all massively over-prescribed. And usually without any discussion of side-effects, long term effects, etc. The medical profession seems to be obsessed with chemical solutions to every problem. They're great when they're appropriate, but they're not always appropriate.

Typically, I've use the visit for a diagnosis and then decided for myself whether I'll need the stuff they prescribe to get over whatever the problem was or whether the cure might be worse than the disease. 

[ziggysego]

Naiveity can be endearing but dont be surprised about people cheating the system. It goes on in more ways than you would think and goes on everywhere. As for your mates coursework i wouldnt count that as cheating the system.

Also, no need to be patronising

I don't think tyrone girl is. I think she like the cut of 188's jip and is thinking of giving her bf of hers the heave-ho.

[Capt Pat]

Can the GPs find out if you are not picking up prescriptions. Yes most of this stuff is computerised these days so it is easy to know. In the past they may give the impression of indifference if people aren't picking up prescriptions, etc but they will know generally speaking if people are taking the piss out of them by not getting the medications or getting too much.

The thing about doctors is their code of omerta means they will never throw stones, so you can go to them for sick notes or get the prescritptions for depression or whatever and they will know you are taking the piss but will say nothing.

that's not true, my doctor would throw you out on your ear if he thought you were taking the piss!

Doctors are a law unto themselves and it is up to each doctor how he runs his clinic. Your doctor would take the direct approach to insincere medical claims, others are snakier and might just put the head down and write the prescription, but that does not mean they have been fooled.

[thebigfella]

How does 118cmal know he's faking it and what the fcuk was he doing in his room looking through someone else's prescriptions? Do you even know if they are anti-depressants?

Just because he is not getting the scripts is in no way evidence that he is faking. In fact there is such a stigma round anti-depressants that some people do not want to take them even though they are prescribed them for depression or stress.

[hardstation]

You'd be better not taking them, I reckon.

[Capt Pat]

I'm afraid TG is correct.  An acquaintance (certainly not a friend) has been going to the doctor claiming depression to help him extend the deadlines for coursework and as an excuse for missing class.   I was in his room and saw a number of prescription leaflets for an anti-depressant that he had received from the doctor but obviously never used.  Pisses me off no end! 

So is there really no way the doctor would ever know that he hadn't actually received the drugs from the pharmacy?

I couldn't believe that it would be that easy.

So what, who made you the Uni police? My suggestion is get on with your own work and forget about what other people do, his actions certainly won't affect your work (unless you happen to get lumped with him in a group project but then again that may play into your hands  ).

And who made you the internet police?

No, in my opinion he is just digging a hole for himself and will live to regret delaying exams and coursework.  In the end he still has to do it!  I agree, nothing to do with my work, and won't affect any marks I get!  I was just surprised someone could cheat the system so easily, that's all!

He would want to be very careful with what he is doing going in to a doctor and claiming to mentally ill. One way or another this could come back to haunt him. He should realise that he is now in the system as a mental health patient, do not play such games with your life.

[omagh_gael]

What would worry me (coming from a psychology background) is the fact that a doctor would prescribe anti-depressants as a first treatment. Its an issue that bugs me, there is a system in place were people like this should be referred to primary care mental health teams and their needs assessed by specialist mental health professionals, not just drugged up and sent on their way!

[Capt Pat]

What would worry me (coming from a psychology background) is the fact that a doctor would prescribe anti-depressants as a first treatment. Its an issue that bugs me, there is a system in place were people like this should be referred to primary care mental health teams and their needs assessed by specialist mental health professionals, not just drugged up and sent on their way!

That is where the story falls down, does he have previous mental health form?

[thebigfella]

What would worry me (coming from a psychology background) is the fact that a doctor would prescribe anti-depressants as a first treatment. Its an issue that bugs me, there is a system in place were people like this should be referred to primary care mental health teams and their needs assessed by specialist mental health professionals, not just drugged up and sent on their way!

That is where the story falls down, does he have previous mental health form?

Maybe the doctor hasn't prescribed them as a first treatment? There is nothing to suggest based on the posts that he is lying about depression or stress?

The basis of this thread is 118cmal was snooping in someone's room and found these unused prescriptions; now how he knows they are for anti-depressants was not stated but one must assume he has looked at them. If this is the case, I believe this pretty big invasion of privacy and I for one am more curious why he was in this persons room or looking through his personal things or felt the need to post it on a public internet forum?

118mal certainly had a bit of a chip on his shoulder in his first few post regarding the fact this guy is getting extensions and preferential treatment (my comment about addressing him as an acquaintance and later friend sums this up). No where have I read from 118mal (I may have missed it) that this person has admitted to faking this illness? Even if he has, how can you be sure it's not a bit of bravado to cover up, after others found out about the extensions, what is still pretty much a taboo subject among young people?

This person could be faking I fully admit but the usual suspects on the board are queuing up to put the boot in, without knowing any of the facts or making huge assumptions based on a couple of posts. I'll reserve judgement for now.

[Niall Quinn]

Reserving judgement isn't much fun to watch on discussion boards.

[TirEoghaingodeo]

I'm afraid TG is correct.  An acquaintance (certainly not a friend) has been going to the doctor claiming depression to help him extend the deadlines for coursework and as an excuse for missing class.   I was in his room and saw a number of prescription leaflets for an anti-depressant that he had received from the doctor but obviously never used.  Pisses me off no end! 

So is there really no way the doctor would ever know that he hadn't actually received the drugs from the pharmacy?

I couldn't believe that it would be that easy.

So what, who made you the Uni police? My suggestion is get on with your own work and forget about what other people do, his actions certainly won't affect your work (unless you happen to get lumped with him in a group project but then again that may play into your hands  ).

And who made you the internet police?

No, in my opinion he is just digging a hole for himself and will live to regret delaying exams and coursework.  In the end he still has to do it!  I agree, nothing to do with my work, and won't affect any marks I get!  I was just surprised someone could cheat the system so easily, that's all!

He would want to be very careful with what he is doing going in to a doctor and claiming to mentally ill. One way or another this could come back to haunt him. He should realise that he is now in the system as a mental health patient, do not play such games with your life.

Just felt the need to point out the stupidity of your posts on this page. Although depression is a mental illness, i don't think there's much stigma to having had depression at some point.
'Paying games with your life' - ffs are you a Daily Mail reader or something.
'Doctors are a law unto themselves' - how's that now?

for the record no doctor will check if a prescription is picked up.

[TirEoghaingodeo]

What would worry me (coming from a psychology background) is the fact that a doctor would prescribe anti-depressants as a first treatment. Its an issue that bugs me, there is a system in place were people like this should be referred to primary care mental health teams and their needs assessed by specialist mental health professionals, not just drugged up and sent on their way!

Lovely thought, but i don't think you realise how many peolpe attend their GP for depression. That waiting list to have maybe one hundred thousand plus people in NI alone assessed will be fun, esp since this systems is overstretched at the minute. How many people can these primary care mental health teams see?
It's easy to criticize doctors, but if you're a GP in Belfast you'll see 30+ patients a day, half of whom will be depressed. That gives you about 10 minutes to treat depression. The next problem is that a lot of these people are depressed because their lives aren't as nice as those they see in Heat or OK, and they somehow think a pill is going to change all that.