I was a patient at The Potter’s Behavioral Medicine Clinic for years. I began treatment with them because I dealt with depression and anxiety for a long time. I was looking to anyone for relief.
It may be hard to imagine, but as a woman in her late 40’s, I did not know the difference between counseling and a psychiatrist shoving medicine down your throat. The Potter’s Behavioral Medicine Clinic’s foreword and purpose proclaims, “With expertise in mental health, learning disabilities, and trauma, The Potter’s Behavioral Medicine Clinic provides patient-centered psychiatric care for children and adults. The team at The Potters Behavioral Medicine Clinic aim to unleash each patient’s potential, helping them resolve their conflict, enjoy their relationships, find peace, and love life again. The Potter’s Behavioral Medicine Clinic specializes in diagnosing and treating all types of mental conditions including anxiety, depression, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism.… The team takes a holistic approach to care, addressing the soul, spirit, and body in a private confidential setting.“ This led me to believe that they had what I needed. I relied on their training, skills, knowledge, and expertise as doctors to know and recognize what I needed.
On my very first visit, without knowing my complete medical history (mental and physical), they immediately put me on to medication. I honestly went there thinking that I would at least talk to someone about my problems first. They asked me two questions. They never suggested that I seek counseling before putting me on medication. They prescribed some medication and sent me on my way. I was clueless as to how psychology worked. After taking the prescribed medication for a while, I felt no change, no improvement, or anything. At each visit they only asked me if I noticed a change. When I would report to them that I did not feel any better, they would change my medication to something else. I never stayed on the same medicine for long. None of the doctors ever really helped. Not only did the medications change with every visit, the doctors prescribing the medications also rotated every visit. Every time I went for an appointment, I met someone new, a different doctor. The new doctor did not know me or my past. They did the same routine, asking me a couple of questions and switching my medications.
This behavior continued for years. I continued to visit them because I was terribly hurt, and I was praying for real help. No one in my family or surroundings knew what I felt inside. I felt ashamed and alone and tried hard to put on a brave face. At this point, I was not mentally capable of making sound decisions for myself. Because of this, there was no one for me to ask questions as to whether I was on the right path or not. So again, I continued to put my trust in the hands of the professionals. My depression continued to worsen until finally I ended up having a nervous breakdown.
Again, without thinking about the best solution with the least negative effects on their patient, they told me that I needed ECT treatment. The physician ordering the treatments told me that this would shock my brain back to where it needed to be. I had no idea what ECT treatments were. I did not know of anyone who ever had them. The doctors at the clinic warned that I would lose memory, but after a while, it would all come back.
I began the treatments, just as they planned, and I did lose my memory. I took a few treatments up until a problem occurred with my heart while under anesthesia. The treatments were held up until a cardiologist could examine me. Heart problems may sound bad, but I am so happy and thankful that something occurred to stop the
treatments. God only knows where I would be right now if I had continued and finished them all.
Today, my past is still lost to me. I have lost all memories of my childhood. Memories of the special years with my mother, grandparents and other family member
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