Fat Shamed at a Mental Health Clinic

Am very hurt and angry right now. I go to a mental health clinic every 2 weeks for an injection that keeps my schizoaffective under control. Went today for that appointment and saw the head nurse, as my regular nurse left to work at another clinic. Before they give me my injection they take my vitals; temperature, weight, and blood pressure.

Prior to quitting drinking I weighed 262.7 lbs and when I weighed myself on my home scale today I was 249.8. Since quitting drinking, nearly 4 months ago, I’m down 12.9 lbs which I feel pretty good about.

When weighing myself on their scale it was 253.5. I told the nurse my weight is 249.8 on my home scale, she went on to say, “Well the scale here is very accurate, I weigh myself on it and it’s right on”. Ok, no big deal. Then she went to ask me if I had any health issues. I said no, I’m doing great. She replied, “Other than your weight.” I was floored, she was totally fat shaming me this visit! I replied, “I’m really happy where I’m at right now, I’ve lost nearly 13 lbs and feel great about myself, I can only lose the weight so fast”.

I’m not there to discuss my weight, I’m there to take care of my mental health and get an injection that keeps me well.

I’m doing my best not to let this small woman get to me. I know I am doing the best I can do right now. I quit smoking 2 years ago, I quit drinking just about 4 months ago, and I’ve lost nearly 13 lbs. Besides that I treat others with kindness and respect, go out of my way to help people, and experience great joy in giving to others. I am far from perfect and definitely not the “perfect” weight, but I’ve grown so much in the last few years and am content and truly happy with who I am and where I’m at in my life. I just don’t understand how someone who works in the mental health field can be so insensitive.

That wasn’t the only thing that happened with that nurse today. My appointment was originally scheduled for 9:30 this morning, I have the appointment card to prove it. When I got there I found out they changed my appointment to 8:30 without letting me know. This nurse kept blaming me for being late to my appointment, even after I explained to her what happened. I felt like she was calling me a liar.

I would say something to the sites manager, but I have learned that even when you say something about someone treating you unfairly there, nothing gets done about it. It’s my word against hers and they tend to believe their employee over a mental health patient.

If you work in a mental health field, please treat your patients with dignity and respect. You don’t know where they’re at on their journey. Just be kind. Is that so hard? Be kind.