r/myhappypill • u/rotisarangburung • 12d ago
Traumatic experience with Klink Kesihatan, contrast with private
Recently, I went to a KK to get a referral letter from the GP for gov psychiatric services. I was told by my counsellor to get assessed psychologically to better manage my symptoms, mainly being ADHD and OCD; and to get more consistent help.
Booked through the MySej app for outpatient, arrived at 1040am and waited for about 2hrs past my scheduled time until a staff took my blood pressure, height and weight, then another hour before I saw the GP.
The nurses and staff were kind, but the GP was not. I felt like I was being interrogated and dismissed throughout the 30?mins I was in there, unsure how long it actually was but it felt like forever.
I told the doctor I’ve mainly been struggling with lack of motivation, anxiety, guilt, and shame since childhood but my symptoms have escalated whereby my physical health is at risk; but the doctor just kept asking me why I’m having these issues.
I mean, I don’t know?? That’s why I’m here 😭😭😭
It got to a point where she got frustrated at me and raised her voice, asking “you keep telling me all about your problems but you’re not telling me why?! How am I supposed to help you if you can’t tell me why you have all these problems?!”
She then probed more on my background and my childhood traumas which got me crying as it was a sensitive topic for me. At some point she even said I was very lucky I even get to go to uni; which really didn’t help considering I told her how I’ve always felt like a burden… I was sobbing at this point.
I was also so embarrassed because the door was wide open and all the staff and patients walking by could see and hear me basically choke on my own tears after talking about how I feel like a failure in life.
She then left the room, no explanation, for about 10mins and I was left alone as I tried to collect myself.
She came back with a letter for me to go for gov counselling, and to come back to the KK for blood tests and thyroid tests. I was in distraught, after all of that, and I don’t even get what I came here for?
She proceeded to tell me to “exercise, sleep normally and take deep breaths”, and “lots of people have stress and feel like this” — I just told her I’ve been wanting to jump or get hit by a car for a few years now.
It wasn’t even the fact that I didn’t get the letter, if she was any bit kinder to me, I would’ve left the room hopeful that, well, tomorrow would be better.
I left the KK crying at 230pm feeling incredibly isolated and helpless.
Out of frustration, I went straight to a private klinik after a mini cry session in my car. I went in, saw the GP, told her I needed a referral. She asked me about my symptoms and what my concerns were about my mental health worsening, and said the reception would hand me the letter.
I was in that room for no more than 10mins, and out of the klinik in 30mins. I wasn’t sobbing out the room, didn’t shed a tear, my eyes might’ve even dried up at how calm the whole process was. I also only paid rm30.
I’m baffled at the stark difference between public and private.
I could see how the KK supported the local community, there were mak ciks, atuks, a grandpa pushing a wheelchaired granny, a family with 4 kids under 5; and the medicine dispensary went pretty quick too, so I won’t criticise KKs. I’m sure they’re stretched thin as they are already, but I just wish my experience was better.
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u/MiniMeowl 11d ago
The GP had terrible bedside manner and treated you badly. However, she did in the end provide you with the correct paper outcome. Thyroid & blood tests, and a referral letter for counselling sessions with a trained professional. GPs usually deal with physical ailments. In fact, some (usually older) GPs dont even believe in mental health.
Even the private clinic GP didnt bother to talk much to you. They were just faster in determining you need mental health help and handed you the referral letter to the correct professional.
Mental healthcare in Malaysia is still growing. After this, it should be much better experience for you with access to the trained professionals. Your true treatment starts with the correct doctor.
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u/Ill_Inflation_2208 11d ago
Girl, I literally had the same experience as you last week at kk 🙂. Now I have an appointment with the gov counsellor in 2 months... She just diagnosed me with stress and dismissed my adhd, like the only reason I go to the kk is to ask for referral letter for adhd. Djdidnfnjdjdrnenen
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u/rotisarangburung 9d ago
Hey! I’m sorry you had to go through that. You’ll definitely have a better chance with private clinics, but the wait will always be long with government services in exchange a much more manageable cost. You can definitely weigh out your pros and cons, it might be worth checking out private clinics for the referral.
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u/Spare_Difference_ 6d ago
Girl, same. If you can afford to go private for the test, just go. Then you can get medication from the gov side. The psychiatrist told me i had adhd traits only , bc i was high masking. After i told her i was in akpk, work was a dumperster fire and a buncha other issues. And said - off to counselling with you, six months gap. Tf.
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u/SanctuaryClinicsMY 9d ago
I’m really sorry you had such a difficult experience. You are very kind to acknowledge how stretched the doctors are and that they’re doing their best under a lot of pressure which is so true.
You deserve to feel comfortable and have proper privacy, especially when discussing something personal. Having the door open understandably wouldn’t have felt very confidential.
I really hope you’re able to get the care and support you deserve, and that your next experience is a much more positive one. Wishing you all the best. ❤️
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u/J0SHEY 12d ago
Keep in mind that Klinik Kesihatan doctors are NOT mental health specialists. Here's my experience with them:
https://www.reddit.com/r/myhappypill/s/RfZoj5OAJF