Question:
Is past psych info completely confidential?

I am going for my psych eval on thurs. and am wondering if your past psych information is completely confidential? I had bad postpartum depression about 5 years ago, but not really much of it since then. Wondering however if the dr. will already know about my past problems?    — Sylvia E. (posted on April 7, 2003)

April 7, 2003
Generally not - unless --- you signed the release to send it to your primary care doctor back then and you signed a release recently to have your pcp send it to the psych. Or if you are using the same dr. (psych) or are still taking meds for it. Hope it helps. Just my understanding of things though.
   — 2doOrnot2do

April 7, 2003
Usually, even if you sign a release (or signed one quite a while back), there is a time limit on it. Unless a doctor has your signed permission, it is a violation of medical ethics for them to share any information about you with anyone else. They do have to give your insurance company whatever information is needed to get your claims approved. Also, nearly any medical professional is required to report it if they have good reason to believe that you are a danger to yourself or others. And that means now, not where you might have been in the past.
   — garw

April 7, 2003
Sylvia, you should be okay, and I doubt they know anything. I had depression for several years and they didn't know anything about my past or the things that went along with the depression. I told them I had depression but had been treated and was basically fine, didn't give too many details. But everything went ok, i guess I passed, and I had surgery. Goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.

April 8, 2003
It depends on what releases you've signed (including standard health insurance forms) and the laws in your particular state. If you're with an HMO, it is VERY possible that information about previous psychiatric treatment will automatically be forwarded to the new doctor before you even walk in the door. Most people have no awareness of how freely their "confidential" health records (even mental health records) are shared between practitioners within an HMO or insurance "network." I went to see a nutritionist with my HMO last year and happened to notice that she had copies of detailed *session notes* from a psychologist that I had seen briefly years and years before. Turns out it's standard operating procedure for my HMO. Outrageous and highly unethical, but a very common practice, nonetheless. So, it's just hard to know. My advice would be to be super honest and straightforward with the new doctor. A past history of depression shouldn't bar you from surgery, but dishonesty about it might send up red flags. Good luck.
   — Tally

April 8, 2003
Original Poster Here I just wanted to say thanks for all the answers. I will be honest with her, I have nothing to hide. It just bothers me that the doctor might have some pre-conceived notion.
   — Sylvia E.

April 9, 2003
I too have been severely depressed in my past, sucidal in fact. I have been in therapy and taken medication on and off for years. As long as I am on meds I am fine! It will not keep you from having surgery. My philosphy is that it is better to be honest. You have to take a psych evaluation and it could easily show up in the evaluation. The psych providers are bound by law like all providers to confidentiality only what is absolutely necessary is given to insurance companies but like a previous writer stated in case of threat to yourself or others the confidentiality can be broken! Good luck! Alma (VBG 1/28/03 down 38 lbs).
   — Alma W.