Improper Diagnosis
A wrong diagnosis can have tragic consequences
The right mental health treatment begins with making the right diagnosis. Decades of mental health research have established effective treatments for disorders which would otherwise be crippling. Knowing the patient's proper diagnosis is the first step in ensuring that the patient gets the proper care. For example high anxiety is a near-term indicator for suicide. Proper diagnosis and treatment of anxiety can prevent suicide.
Unfortunately, patients sometimes do receive an improper diagnosis, which can be devastating. The failure to diagnose a patient with a discernible disorder, or ascribing a wrong diagnosis to the patient, is negligence.
If you or a loved one was injured due to the negligence of a healthcare provider, contact a law firm that puts families first. Contact the Law Offices of Skip Simpson. We serve clients nationally. Call 214-618-8222 today to see how a personal injury lawyer can help.
Expectations and the mental health profession
Psychiatric diagnosis requires an attention to detail. Not only is the mental health professional expected to inquire about the current, presenting problems that the patient is experiencing, he or she must also conduct a thorough inquiry of the patient's psychiatric history. In many cases, the mental health professional is expected to contact family members and friends, to obtain additional information. When the provider is a physician, a complete physical, along with an inquiry into the patient's medical history, is essential to ruling out organic, non-psychiatric causes of the patient's problems.
Most psychiatric disorders have devastating effects. When a mental health professional fails to diagnose serious disorders, such as Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, or Schizophrenia, the unfortunate result may be the suicide of the patient. At a minimum, the patient will experience psychological and physical pain, which could have been avoided through proper treatment.
Contact a personal injury attorney
The Law Offices of Skip Simpson takes pride in its work in representing mental health patients and their families. The firm has a highly successful track record. Although based in Frisco, Texas, Attorney Simpson represents clients nationally.
For a free consultation, call 214-618-8222 or fill out our online contact form. Contact a law firm that is passionate about helping the mentally ill. Contact the Law Offices of Skip Simpson.
