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Is There a Professional Way to Pretend You Don't Know Your Psychiatrist at Work?

So there I was, in the middle of my workday, when I spotted my psychiatrist. At ✨work✨ Of all places. My coworkers have no idea I even see one, and suddenly I'm in a silent staring contest, debating whether I should wave like a friend, nod like a stranger, or crawl under the nearest desk.

And then, the cherry on top: “Are you still taking your meds?” Out loud. In public. In front of the vending machine. I swear, the Snickers bar in my hand was judging me too.

So is there a professional way to pretend you don't know your psychiatrist at work? Honestly, no. But there is a professional way to laugh it off later... preferably while hiding in the bathroom.
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OldBrit · 61-69, M
Having trained as a therapist. The general rule is you let the client decide. You ignore them unless they acknowledge you.

I had both sides - people who almost ran the other way to one guy who ran over then insisted I meet all his family.
mssweetdreams · 22-25
@OldBrit That makes a lot of sense, and it's really interesting to hear from your experience. I guess everyone handles it differently, but I like the idea of letting the client choose how to handle it.
OldBrit · 61-69, M
@mssweetdreams also excellent way to get rid of people you don't want to talk to.

If I wanted to talk if they asked what I did I told them the IT job if not then I was a Psychotherapist.
mssweetdreams · 22-25
@OldBrit that’s actually a clever strategy! I can imagine that clears a room pretty quickly😂
itsok · 31-35, F
Every psychiatrist and therapist I’ve ever had pretend they don’t know me in public, and I do the same. To mention your medication out of session? That is extremely inappropriate
mssweetdreams · 22-25
@itsok You're absolutely right... normally they do keep that boundary. This situation just caught me so off guard that I had to write about it. Definitely not the most professional move on their part, but at least it made for a funny story afterward!
Acheron · 41-45, M
You need to get a new psychiatrist if they're seriously asking about your treatment in a public setting. Confidentiality breach that should probably cost them the right to practice.
mssweetdreams · 22-25
@Acheron I hear you, you make a really good point. Boundaries and confidentiality are super important in that kind of relationship. Thankfully, this wasn't a serious situation for me, but I get why it would raise red flags. Appreciate you sharing your perspective!
Tumbleweed · F
There is definitely a way to file a complaint with their superiors and find a new psychiatrist. That was a complete breech of confidentiality and very unprofessional.
YoMomma ·
That was unprofessional of them to ask you that in public imo.. that’s your private business
YoMomma ·
@mssweetdreams yeah that was just wrong on their part.. did they come there intentionally to give you grief or did they actually have a reason to be there .. you didn't tell them you wanted to murder your co workers or anything right? Otherwise they should have left you alone .. 😏
mssweetdreams · 22-25
@YoMomma 😂 Haha no worries, I definitely didn’t say anything like that! Pretty sure they just happened to be there. Still, the timing couldn't have been more awkward.
YoMomma ·
@mssweetdreams yeah that wasn't right of them 😅 smh glad to hear you're not homicidal 😂
Jenny1234 · 56-60, F
Your psychiatrist is totally unprofessional
mssweetdreams · 22-25
@MsSwan this was me, internally processing what was happening
Ferise1 · 46-50, M
That’s disgusting you have to stop seeing him
Ferise1 · 46-50, M
@mssweetdreams oh okay. Like how did you make it funny?
mssweetdreams · 22-25
@Ferise1 Mostly by laughing at how badly timed it all was 😅 Sometimes awkward situations are easier to handle when you just treat them like a comedy skit in your head.
Ferise1 · 46-50, M
@mssweetdreams true I do that sometimes
Turning awkward into positivity

 
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