Is it bad to lie on the depression screenings at the doctors?

Question

It's just not bothering me to be depressed so I feel no need to be truthful when doing the test. I've been lying every few months now for the past 3 years now on these tests/screenings. Im tired of doing the tests but also tired of lying😅

Realistic07 · Accepted Answer

This is a great question; because it’s challenges the conception of what Health is. In addition it challenges Health on a moral and political level. Please get ready for a gigantic answer.

The political notion that somebody else can technically hold legal right over you under certain specific circumstances should they believe they are “ helping” another person.

Let’s face Facts as human beings we often have issue with the mentality of letting other people help us. The number one reason being; because other people often have separate motivations for why they would want to help us.

Is that a bit paranoid of us? Yes It is One should not automatically assume that a person given certain power to ascertain certain aspects of health are going to misuse that power for any nefarious action.

Is our paranoia justified? Historically, because of the grandiose power that doctors possess, and the reality that it has been abused in the past and even in modern times has been abused in court cases that have been won by victims of said abuse by hospitals, nursing staff, or doctors, and in that the answer is also yes.

so that puts us in a weird gray spot where we need our doctors because quite frankly, we’re not smart enough to take care of ourselves for every given situation, but at the same time, our doctors need a certain amount of checks and balances that don’t always get followed through with until after the worst has happened, it’s basically the same issue with policing.

Any Position created, that gives power to anyone can be used for nefarious means by anyone with nefarious intent. The issue is not the position, but the reality that a human holds that position. Humans unfortunately, are not always out to do good even when put in positions in which they should be doing the most good.

So I say everyone makes their own choices. Sometimes we have to lie to protect ourselves, and sometimes we need to let people help us when things get to a certain point.

Those are all determinations that we need to make as individuals though, and we can only make them from our own personal perspective. We don’t really have the right to placate other people for doing what they want to do with their lives or using their own discretion to determine what is safe for themselves or not.

If we lived in a perfect world where there was no crime, and everyone just lived as they could or wanted in peace..
There wouldn’t ever be a need to worry about somebody doing something bad to you with power that they have been granted. Unfortunately we just don’t live in that Utopia nor are we the creatures that have the ability to live in a utopia without conflict. Unfortunately, we’re just human, and to human is to error and to conflict.

In these times, we fight hard against that reality that we are always in conflict. We’ve come a long way since the days of slaughtering each other with our bare hands, stones, swords, cannons. We don’t kill each other in the streets anymore, more over we have streets, buildings, homes. There is less human death than there ever has been in the majority of history. Ultimately, proving that we do what we can and through time we can change. That said we only change; because we change our environment to help us grow.
Now we’ve changed to such a degree that our environment has become toxic to us, weathered by policies that we created for the betterment of mankind that are doing all, but that or the laws we’ve created so the policies don’t go insane that are ultimately just as insane to understand.

In the Land of Confusion, it’s kind of expected for depression to be a thing, So to each their own, we all have the right to make our own choices, and lying is not necessarily a good or bad thing, depending on any given situation.
A mother may lie to protect her children From harm. lying is wrong, but situationally she would be right in doing so. Which proves that sometimes we do what we must for the sake of our own security or the security of those we love, and that the world is not always so simple.

So as it seems, it doesn’t really matter that much in the grand scheme may not be good to do it, but I understand why people do so I can forgive in that realization and justification. Well, hope this answers the question.

Sorry if I rambled on a bit, but I did want to give a whole answer to a complicated question that seems simple at face value, but it’s really very nuanced.

matchrestore · Accepted Answer

I think even people who aren't depressed sugar coat those questions. That being said- if it does start to get to be to much, please find someone to talk to. A therapist, family, a friend, or someone you met on a fringe social media site like GAG.

CrazyGirl2 · Accepted Answer

One should never lie to your doctor! They are the one person (other than family), who are genuinely on your side! Most doctors genuinely wish to find out what is wrong with you every bit as much as you want to find out your diagnosis! Why on earth would you pay to see a doctor, then lie to them about your symptoms? If your doctor suspects, you might be suffering from depression, then answer the forms they give you correctly. This will help your physician to diagnose your healthcare issue.

Many people may not like to discover that they are suffering from depression, but nevertheless, you cannot be treated (or cured) if the doctor does not know your correct diagnosis! The only thing lying to your doctor, or lying on a diagnostic sheet can achieve is in your receiving a false diagnosis, and possibly “needing" to take medication that you, in fact, do not need! Although most psychological exams, that are filled out by the patient, have multiple questions on them designed to detect deception. When deception on a mental health evaluation is detected, the most likely cause is a secondary mental illness. because mentally healthy people do not lie mental health evaluation forms.

Yes, it's very bad to lie on a depression screening at your doctor's office. No matter what the results of the tests might show., the one thing they will not show is what is actually wrong with you!

I sincerely hope this helps
Laura, 🤗 🥰.

4ngelic · Accepted Answer

i always lie too about that stuff in medical settings. i really dont want to see doctors again or be locked up :/

anyways wether its good or bad depends on how costly it would be to you if you're honest vs dishonest. like if being honest means you are locked up in psych ward for 2 months, get fired, worry all the people that care about you and you have to pay 20 000$ in med bills, its not a bad thing to just lie and pretend everything's fine. now if being honest just gets you some happy pills and a couple visits to the psychiatrist, all free cause your country has free healthcare :) and no one that cares about would find out your in pain, vs if you lie you stay miserable and risk potentially unaliving. then it would be bad to lie

IslaTheWitch · Answer

even if you don't want to take care of your depression it's better if your doctor knows you have it... some meds effect can be negatively impacted by high cortisol or other hormones changed level

KittygosMeoWW · Answer

I think at some point I had to because I was scared of pink forest to go to the yellow sock hospital. I had major postpartum depression and anxiety, but I also think that had a lot to do with the fact that I was with someone abusive narcissistic and a cheater during my most vulnerable time

SotiCoto · Answer

Don't ever tell them. Depending on what you say, the doctor can have you locked away. Effectively imprisoned for what they wrongly believe is "your own good". The doctor is NOT on your side. They are NOT an ally. To the doctor you are just a state resource to be exploited.

The single most traumatic experience of my entire life was because I foolishly let slip to a doctor that I'd attempted suicide. I count myself lucky it only took me a few days to escape from that torture.

Makeushiver · Answer

If you are trying to find an answer to a personal issue with it I would think that the more information given to MD, the better they would be able to diagnose. I have felt it necessary to give MDs my own spin on info before because I think they many of them are victim of "groupthink". Painkillers are a big example. Many failed to heed the bunk given to them by drug companies concerning the safety of prescribing opioids indiscriminately. Now getting them when necessary is almost impossible because they have the DEA breathing down their shirts and are so concerned about litigation they they refuse to prescribe them whether they are the suitable med or not.

WhitneySnow · Answer

Do whatever you feel is best for you and your mental health. You know yourself better than some doctor.

Kelly6 · Answer

@apple1996 As a person with depression who can manage my depression, i mostly lie , but if its serious then i tell truth

dustybiker2 · Answer

As an extreme example. If you slipped and said you want to kill yourself (dry and tongue in cheek) lying is fine. If just embarrassed because you said actual thoughts out loud.. not fine.
Doctors aren't there to judge you. Most don't really care about you. But if you do have a good one, use them. Feel better. No reason not to if possible. Even mild depression can be a big pain in the backside.

OfMiceandMen · Answer

It's not doing the person any favors, it's important to diagnose depression so your doctor can keep track of any other physical ailments that may be due to the depression. Both the mind and body are intertwined when one is out of sorts the other follows.

rosemilk · Answer

nope. if someone doesn't want the help or isn't ready for the help, i think it's fine to tell this lie. sometimes things are just better kept to yourself, you know

LaurenM1997 · Answer

I’m so sorry you are depressed here’s a hug for you 🤗

Nice222 · Answer

In my state medical information in no longer private. The Government monitors information like this. So everything is always fine and great…. Nothing to see here.

BoobMan · Answer

Why take the test at all if you're going to lie on it? Just don't take the test.

loves2learn · Answer

As a rule, you should never lie to your doctor, hun. That is the one person you should be able to be truthful with. If not, time for a new doctor.

blondfrog · Answer

I'm not expert on depression but I can say there are different levels of depression. As long as your happy for the most part in your life I don't see the harm in lying.

Surely · Answer

If you are a gun owner. It probably is best never to be depressed. Even if being in the doctor’s office makes you depressed!
I once asked the nurse if she was depressed. She snapped and told me that I was the patient and not her!

slatyb · Answer

Why don't you just tell them that you don't want to do the screening? Are you feeling depressed?

LiamS95 · Answer

I don't know I've never had a depression screening.

Anonymous · Answer

The medical centers sell that info to the genocide department That why lying is correct in this scenario

turnpost · Answer

Understand that dr. are to perscribe what they percieve as to what would help you best. Sometimes you need to exagerate inorder for them to budge or underexaggerate so they dont over perscribe with super intense meds. Chose your pick.

clampfan101 · Answer

It could escalate faster than you expect. Help exists for good reasons. Worst case scenario it was simply a small waste of time. Best case scenario is avoiding potential emotional torment. Take care of yourself.

exitseven · Answer

Maybe if you talked to your doctor about it he could suggest something that might help.

DrPepper12 · Answer

IMHO there's two people you never lie to, your doctor and your bartender. If your scared for employment or data security reasons then i get it. Otherwise be honest.

MemeSupreme · Answer

no bc it can seem worse than it is or it's bad timing

petitedollbabee · Answer

Only if you’re wanting help. They can’t help if you’re not honest.

NYlatefun · Answer

I would say it’s important to tell the truth to your doctor so he can diagnose you properly. Good luck!!

AviatorTom · Answer

It's always bad to lie, especially when someone us trying to help you.

andy530 · Answer

Yeah it makes it difficult for your dr to get an accurate picture of your health and symptoms you’re experiencing, even the ones you’re not ready to address

Dargil · Answer

It is best when you make decisions to your support, your own survival.

Juxtapose · Answer

Why are you depressed?

Dongie · Answer

No. If you do that then that's the true answer. I stopped using the word 22 years ago. I give it no power.

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

Yes that's bad and you know it. It may not be bothering you not but what if it does better to get it under control now cause sometimes people slip into depression and not even know it

Alex-Snow · Answer

Be honest why lie about it... that is what doctors are for!

Jennz6 · Answer

If something is bothering you then tell your doctor

Yannae · Answer

They are there to help you. That's why you need to be truthful.

jahaims · Answer

It depends on what you want on your medical records and if you want medication for it or not.

Charliefretz329 · Answer

You can’t get help if you lie. That’s the only bad part

RedInnocent69 · Answer

It’s bad because it’s a potential symptom of other problems.

NathanDavis · Answer

yes it is

MrsVioletta · Answer

Generaly its bad to lie

sirderpsalot123 · Answer

Probably

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