Wednesday, November 25, 2009 . 12:21 AM
Psych
Psychiatry posting has been interesting and rather cool despite the fact that this has been my first day at SGH for this posting...
Spoke to a patient today with Asperger Syndrome and I really enjoyed the session, one for that fact that I hadn't been in the wards speaking to patients for 4 weeks at least - 6+ if you count the weeks where there was clerking with added stress of major exams, which totally ruins the experience - and two, that I could relate to this patient somewhat.
Contrary to popular belief, not all psychiatric patients are crazy or stupid, far from it. This guy was brilliant. He understood everything posed to him, and when he wasn't sure, he wasn't afraid to clarify things clearer. It showed a very deep sense of thinking that belied his age. But the poor guy had problems that I cannot disclose in this blog, but I could really relate to.
The most rewarding moment for me during the clerking was when he opened up to me and that we managed to strike an understanding and some sort of short-lived arbitration of a bond. I was rather amazed that I had actually attained some sort of level of trust with this patient, a feeling that I will not soon forget.
I've definitely missed clerking and talking to patients in the wards. Thank goodness I met this patient today.
"You'll Never Walk Alone"
Archangel
__________________________________________________________________