divorcing bipolar
I recently heard the sad story of a woman who awoke from surgery research to find to their horror that one of her breasts had disappeared. It was clear that the signed consent for the hospital and the doctor doing the surgery, but we have enough information to know what the outcomes to be.
Sometimes they give us permission, approval or acceptance of something but not have enough information to understand the process of being used or the risks associated with it.
Have you ever taken your car to a mechanic and returned to the big, unexpected bill? Anger can be a result of not being part of the decision process as information is collected. If you had known why the vehicle was not functioning properly you may be asked about the possibility of obtaining used parts or leaving repairs at a later date.
When you agree that your child evaluated by a psychologist, you know what evidence will be used, what they are measuring and how the results may affect the placement of your child in the school system? Is there a report? Who will receive copies of it? Did anyone explain it?
Once learned about parents who get upset when he discovered that his son had given an IQ test. They do not understand that this is one of the results of a Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC). Although they had agreed to use this test, they did not understand the consequences of what it meant.
Evaluations within the Court can be confusing and worrying if the parties do not have a full understanding. Often, people who are going by divorce, for example, think they can hire a psychologist to testify would be the best of parents of children and therefore should have sole custody. It's easy to assume that the payment of a guaranteed professional support to one case. The psychologists involved in custody and access cases focus on the needs of children and not only the parent who has paid for the report.
Informed consent means that you know in advance what services are delivered and how will out. Treatment for depression, for example, may consist of cognitive-behavioral therapy, hypnosis, drugs, or a number of other therapies. Make sure you know to be used, how often and how long.
Ask about the qualifications of professionals. What about confidentiality, writing reports and the release of information? What are the risks?
The whole area of charges, it can be confusing. Do you know how much they charge for their services? How will you calculate? When you expect to pay? Do you have insurance coverage that will help with this?
Informed consent is designed to protect. Be a smart consumer means asking questions and making sure you understand what will happen, how, when, where and the risks it faces.
No access to anything you do not fully understand. You may end up being terribly disappointed, upset or even change your life in a way that has not been chosen!
And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://www.lindahancockspeaks.com
From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker
CNN Headline News June 24, 2009
