Medical malpractice related to psychiatric treatment does only entail to prescribing inappropriate medication or arriving at a wrong diagnosis. Mistreating patients due to a jaded, stubborn, detached attitude undermines proper mental health care. Failure to provide adequate care definitely sets the stage for a negligence suit.

Anyone who believes a psychiatrist's clear disregards for empathy led to the worsening of a condition should speak with a personal injury lawyer:

Empathy: A Necessary a Part of Training

Experts are promoting increased educational training for physicians designed to better instill proper empathy. Physicians, including psychiatrists, must not be dismissive towards the feelings of a patient. A patient's disposition often reflects whether or not a particular treatment is working. So, those seeing a psychiatrist should remain ever alert to warning signs that a decided lack of empathy is contributing to poor care.

Stubborn Attitudes Towards Treatment

Unfortunately, psychiatrists whose approach to therapy is both curt and condescending may be rooted in a desire to impose treatments methods he/she has grown accustomed. If you are raising concerns about treatment methods and the psychiatrist is being standoffish, serious consequences could result.

For example, refusing to alter a treatment for depression despite a patient's warnings may lead to the worsening of a mental state. Once depression becomes more severe, future treatment becomes more complex. There is also the unfortunate risk the heightened depressed state presents safety risks for a patient.

If you feel uncomfortable with the way the psychiatrist responds to feedback, perhaps switching to another provider is best. Upon seeing a new psychiatrist, ask if the previous treatment seems like medical malpractice. If so, set up an appointment with an attorney to discuss the legal recourse you should take.

Short Evaluations and High Turnover

Psychiatrists who book far too many appointments per day are hardly showing any empathy or, for that matter, decent care for a patient. Disturbingly, rushing through a number of patients through the single day might be done to boost "turnover" in order to earn more money. Needless to say, rushed evaluations are potentially rife with errors.

Cursory evaluations may overlook important symptoms leading to a serious condition going undetected and untreated. False diagnoses are a possibility, too. Imagine being diagnosed with bipolar disorder when the correct diagnosis should be schizophrenia. Bipolar medications, improperly prescribed, are not likely adequate to treat schizophrenia. Serious, avoidable consequences could result.

Seek Legal Advice

Anything less than proper care is most likely malpractice. The second you feel uncomfortable with your psychiatrist's approach, discuss the situation with a qualified attorney.

To learn more, contact a company such as Marquard & Associates with your questions and concerns.

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