What do I do if I had a family dispute which landed me at A&E and the IMH psychiatrist wrote down that I had an auditory hallucination as my brother insisted that and he believed my brother over me though I said I did not hallucinate it? And at that moment when he wrote it down, I had already given up on myself to advocate for myself any better
Hi @user5683,
Thank you for sharing this, and I want to first check in on how you’re doing after everything that happened. Family disputes can be incredibly overwhelming, and it sounds like this situation, combined with the visit to A&E, might have taken a heavy emotional toll. If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, I hope you’re finding even small ways to care for yourself—whether that’s resting, taking a walk, or doing something that brings you even a little comfort.
It must have been so frustrating to feel unheard and misrepresented during such a vulnerable moment, especially when it involved something as serious as a psychiatric assessment. A psychiatrist has a duty of care to listen to and assess their patients carefully, and it’s understandable to feel upset if you believe your voice wasn’t fully acknowledged.
I want to hold this space for you without judgement—because I sense there’s a lot of anger, frustration, and perhaps confusion about how things unfolded. I’m wondering: when you say you “gave up on yourself” at that moment, what were you hoping to advocate for? What did you want the psychiatrist to understand or do differently for you?
It’s okay if the answer isn’t clear right now, but I ask this because what you want matters. Your voice matters, and understanding what you need or hope for—whether from your family, the psychiatrist, or even from yourself—can be the first step to helping you feel more in control of this situation.
I also want to gently remind you that if these feelings of anger and frustration feel too heavy, it can help to talk to someone neutral—like another mental health professional or counsellor—who can help you process what happened and figure out how to move forward in a way that feels right for you.
You’ve already shown a lot of strength by sharing this here, even when it feels like no one else is listening. I want to assure you that this space is here to support you, and I’m here to listen to what you truly need. What’s on your mind right now?
When I wanted to advocate for myself, I wanted to be understood by the psychiatrist and asked to go for family counselling as my brother was psychologically abusing me and calling me names. During the argument, he did not talk to me respectfully, slammed the door at my face, shouted at me and downplayed my voice by arguing that I need meds for being bipolar (which I am not) then schizophrenia (which is not a reason to talk down to me). Then later at the psychiatrist (A&E) he accused me of hearing sounds when I didn’t hear any sounds. I’m disappointed that my psychiatrist wrote down that I’m hearing sounds too after I told him I didn’t, after I told him my side where I told him I didn’t hear sounds, he repeated it again “so hearing sounds” though it was only my brother eating loudly - I gave up because I felt like the same thing was happening again as this happened with a previous psychiatrist too, who believed my family over me.
Hi. I am here if you want to talk.
Hi @user5683,
I’m sorry to hear you had such a tough experience. It can feel incredibly frustrating and isolating when someone dismisses your perspective, especially in a situation as sensitive as a family dispute. It sounds like you were in a vulnerable place, and, understandably, you felt overwhelmed and unable to advocate for yourself in that moment.
I believe that it’s essential to have your experiences and feelings validated, and I’m here to listen. May I know if you’ve had a chance to talk to someone about how this situation affected you? It might help you express your feelings further or seek support from someone who can provide a safe space for you. You deserve to be heard and supported.
Hi @user5683,
Thank you for sharing your experience. It takes a lot of courage to speak about what you’ve been going through, especially when it feels like your voice hasn’t been heard in the past. I want to assure you that this is a space where your feelings and experiences matter.
I can hear how much you want to be understood and to advocate for yourself, particularly about what happened during your family dispute and at the A&E. It’s clear that you felt invalidated when your concerns were dismissed, and that’s deeply frustrating. Feeling like your voice isn’t being taken seriously, especially by someone in a position of authority like a psychiatrist, can leave anyone feeling defeated.
Let’s focus on what’s most important right now:
It’s absolutely valid that you wanted to be understood and ask for family counseling. Seeking solutions to improve relationships and address your concerns shows strength and self-awareness. When you felt that your brother’s behaviour toward you was hurtful, it’s natural to want a safe space to address that.
I also hear your disappointment with how your psychiatrist documented your experience. Feeling misunderstood in such a vulnerable setting is very upsetting. If I may ask, what is the main outcome you hope for when advocating for yourself? Is it about being heard, or is there a specific action you’d like to see? This can guide the next steps in addressing the situation.
It’s painful to feel talked down to or dismissed during an argument. From your perspective, it sounds like your brother’s behavior has been harmful, and those interactions have made you feel unheard and invalidated. Family conflicts can be especially difficult because emotions run high and roles and dynamics are deeply ingrained.
Family counselling can indeed be a helpful step if everyone is willing to participate. It’s a space where all sides can be heard and facilitated by someone neutral. Have you considered bringing this up again with your psychiatrist or another trusted professional?
About the psychiatrist’s notes, it’s understandable why you feel disappointed. Psychiatric evaluations can sometimes feel clinical or impersonal, but they’re also an opportunity to clarify your perspective. If you feel comfortable, you might ask to review or discuss the notes at a follow-up appointment. This way, you can ensure that your voice is represented accurately.
Right now, it sounds like you’re feeling stuck in a cycle of not being believed. Would you consider writing down your concerns before speaking with professionals? Sometimes having your thoughts prepared in advance can make it easier to communicate your feelings without feeling overwhelmed in the moment.
Also, remember that seeking support for yourself—whether it’s through counselling, a support group, or trusted friends—can be a big step toward regaining your sense of control and validation.
What you’re feeling is valid. If you’d like, we are here to help you explore practical ways to move forward or just to listen as you process everything. What’s one thing you’d like support with right now?
You deserve to be heard, and your experiences matter. 