Vonne Worth

Harborview Treats Epilepsy On Involuntary Psych Ward

By Vonne Worth  Copyright ©, Vonne Worth,  2002.   All Rights Reserved.

http://psychrights.org/Stories/VWorth.htm

"Last December, I regained consciousness in 5-point restraints.  I knew I’d had epileptic seizures and my epileptic seizures had been misdiagnosed as a psychiatric episode for the fourth time in 25 years.  I asked the psych aides what day it was.  Since they told me it was the same day that my seizures had started, I knew they were lying.  My epileptic seizure episodes last at least two days.  I had no idea why I was in restraints.  To me, it was punishment for something I hadn’t done.  I found out was in the Harborview Psychiatry Intensive Care Unit for treatment of my epileptic seizures.  Two psychiatrists, Maryanne Bolte, M.D., and an unknown male doctor came to see me.  I told them epileptic seizures were the problem, although I knew they would not believe me because they had designated me to be a mental patient.  I was right.  I told them misdiagnosis and improper treatment could be the basis for a lawsuit. The man said, “Everybody says they’re going to sue me.”   “I’ll bet they do,” I replied.  I later learned they had written in my medical chart:  “She blames her behavior on her seizures.”

ERs don't treat mental patients fairly

Monday, May 24, 2004 Vonne Worth, Gruest Columnist, Seattle Post-Intettigencer

http://psychrights.org/Stories/VWorthonERs.htm

 "Hospital emergency rooms routinely refuse treatment for medical conditions of people regarded as "mentally ill."   Attorney Susan Stephan, author of the recent book, "Unequal Rights: Discrimination Against People with Mental Disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act," surveyed people with "mental illness" who went to ERs for medical conditions.   Stephan's survey concluded ERs trivialize our medical conditions, or refuse to treat our medical conditions until after a psychiatric exam, or involuntarily commit us to the psychiatric ward when we need treatment for a non-psychiatric medical condition.   In December 2001, I dialed 911 to get help for a medical condition: epileptic seizures first diagnosed in 1963. Harborview Medical Center ER records show my seizures involve days of confusion, disorientation, amnesia and sometimes convulsions as a secondary symptom. In the 21 years the Harborview ER has treated my seizures, they've given me extra anti-convulsants and hospitalized me overnight, costing taxpayers $2,000.   In 2001, Harborview denied me medical treatment because I have a history of psychiatric treatment, including four psychiatric hospitalizations for treatment of epileptic seizures over the past 27 years. This cost taxpayers $10,000. Harborview denied me two diagnostic tests for my epilepsy. There is no medical or physical diagnostic test for mental illness."

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