I think I have discovered a new syndrome, well I say new but really its been around for as long as politicians have lied. I had a patient see me the other day who was feeling down in the dumps. Being a kind & caring GP I patiently sat and listened to her tell me her life story of how she has no money, no job, an abusive boyfriend, a young baby to feed and how its all making her feel a bit, well, shit. Believe it or not but I don’t have a magic pill that can fix this, I asked her why she came to the GPs but she wasn’t sure, she didn’t know what else to do. She has a syndrome that I am seeing more and more nowadays. It consists of low mood caused by adverse life circumstances. Otherwise known as “Shit-life Syndrome”.
Depending on where you work you’ll probably see a few of these cases. They are easy to recognise. About 5minutes into their history you mind will start to wander, perhaps thinking about what you are going to have for lunch or how that bid for an ivory back scratcher is going on ebay. Several minutes later your mind will wander back the patient who will still be telling you about all the terrible things that are going on in their life. There isn’t really much you can do, you ponder that if your life was going as shit as theirs you’d feel pretty depressed too. What about counselling? “Nah, tried that before doc and it was rubbish” (Waiting list is vast anyway). Ok then, what about antidepressants? Won’t change a thing but will make the drug companies happy.
I know! Exercise, going for nice walks, going out with your friends? Gyms too expensive, have you seen where I live doctor, and I’ve not got money to go out are the 3 rapid replies. This patient has “shit life syndrome”, nothing you can do for them other than listen. Maybe sign the odd ‘fit-note’ so they can get a bit of extra cash to help pay for the 50 inch flat screen telly every feels they have to own.
What’s the solution? Perhaps society needs to concentrate less on accumulating wealth and more on accumulating happiness? But we live in a consumer-drive society with an economy in nosedive so this isn’t going to happen anytime soon. Oh well, lets just cut benefits, raise taxes and penalise anyone else who happens to have shit-life syndrome (aka the Daily Mail solution)
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A sadly very common syndrome seen on a daily basis, and as you say, no magical answers..
ReplyDeleteThank you "Dr up north".
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy reading your blogs and appreciate your candid accounts.
I agree this is a very difficult situation and after reading a few of your posts I can't help but wonder if our country and our patients would be better off with a privatised health care system where competition for the work would drive costs down.
London Podiatrist
I like it. I'm not a medical professional, although I have connections with the field. I've had a theory about this syndrome for a long time, and even diagnosed myself with it from time to time.
ReplyDelete"What’s the solution? Perhaps society needs to concentrate less on accumulating wealth and more on accumulating happiness?"
ReplyDeleteHope that the real society is like this. But on the other hand, people nowadays are seeking for wealth that will give them happiness, rather than happiness as their wealth. Oh, the irony of life.
Thanks,
Peny@greys anatomy scrubs
Maybe the solution is to dig a deep hole fill it with water and sharks and put all the lieing, backstabbing, money grabbing, gready politicians in it!
ReplyDeleteand the rich get rich and the poor get poorer ,bring back robin hood
ReplyDeleteAnd Guy Fawkes....
Deletesaddest
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm a reporter - I'd love to talk with you a bit more about shit life syndrome as I'm writing a piece on it. Would you please be able to email me? Sirin.kamalvand@gmail.com
ReplyDelete