Potential letter to CAMH
- Eliot Muir
Subject: Notice of Complaint Regarding Negligent Psychiatric Care
Dear [Recipient Name],
I am writing to formally address and document the negligent psychiatric care I received during my visit to CAMH in September 2019, which has had significant and lasting impacts on my personal and professional life.
As a highly creative individual, my unique mental state has been pivotal to the success of my business. My ability to think outside the box is not only natural but also the foundation of my wealth, as outlined in my work at my company iNTERFACEWARE. My decision to seek assistance at CAMH was driven by temporary sleep disturbances stemming from personal marital challenges, not from any underlying mental health disorder.
Regrettably, the care provided during my visit was not only inadequate but also detrimental for several reasons:
Lack of Comprehensive Evaluation: There was no effort to consult with previous mental health professionals who were familiar with my history, particularly my therapist at the Cleveland Clinic in Toronto, who had a divergent view on the bipolar diagnosis suggested by CAMH.
Rushed Diagnosis: The diagnosis was hastily made based on a standard questionnaire within a mere 35-minute consultation, disregarding the complexities of my situation and without considering my history of success and functionality as an entrepreneur.
Absence of Alternative Treatment Options: No alternatives to medication were discussed, such as taking short breaks from work or employing relaxation techniques, which might have been more appropriate given my situation.
Inadequate Information on Medication Side Effects: I was not informed about the severe side effects of Seroquel or its withdrawal symptoms, which include insomnia, nausea, mood swings, headaches, dizziness, sweating, and restlessness. This lack of information led to a perilous cessation of the medication without understanding the associated risks.
Misrepresentation of Medication: Seroquel was presented as a benign solution to my sleep issues without discussing its profound effects on cognitive and creative abilities, which are crucial to my professional identity.
The consequences of this negligent care were profound:
The diagnosis facilitated a narrative that cast me unfavorably during personal legal matters.
The prescribed medication caused significant physical and mental impairment, jeopardizing my ability to function as a creative entrepreneur.
The abrupt discontinuation of Seroquel, due to uninformed consent, destabilized my mental state, necessitating a lengthy two-year recovery period to regain my prior cognitive capabilities.
It is important to clarify that I have since regained my balance and continue to thrive by managing my lifestyle and being mindful of my mental and physical health. However, the pain and harm caused by this experience were unnecessary and avoidable.
I seek a formal acknowledgment of the shortcomings in the care provided, along with appropriate reparations for the distress and setbacks caused by this negligence. Please consider this letter a preliminary step towards a constructive dialogue aimed at rectifying the situation. I am open to discussing this matter further and exploring avenues for resolution.
A reasonable resolution would be to sit down for a conversation with your CEO about your institutions processes and formal public policy.
Should we fail to reach a satisfactory agreement, I am prepared to pursue legal avenues to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents from occurring to others.
I look forward to your prompt response.
Sincerely,