This blog could easily be named the “hunt and peck” blog. I’m typing this, while I’m all gimpy. At times, I’m even typing with an ice pack resting on my wrist. Yeah, I have to use my creativity for more than just blogging. You may be wondering how I got here. Let me tell you a little story. Hi, my name is Dr. Ericka, and I’m a psychiatrist. I was having an uneventful day at work until I heard screaming. By the time I was able to intervene, the situation had already escalated. I had a very mentally ill, confused, distraught person on my hands. The patient was so out of it that while I tried to calm them down, they ended up grabbing my wrist and slapping my face. The wrist injury would have been minor if my patient hadn’t dug her fingers into a sweet spot where there are a bunch of tendons and nerves. The crazy thing is that this was the first time I’ve ever been hit by a patient. I had been pushed once, and a lady that was high on cocaine grabbed my behind once. Yeah, I said it. That was in the lovely Psych ER in the good old Grady hospital in Atlanta (affectionately known as “The Gradies”).
The weird thing is that I haven’t once been angry towards my patient. People ask about whether I fought back, but it wasn’t a fight. Plus, as a physician, you can’t start boxing with your folks. Yeah, there’s no place for Dr. Billy Blanks in psychiatry. I was lucky enough to be able to get out of the way fast, but obviously not fast enough. I underestimated her speed and reach. I do think self defense is a good skill for all physicians, not just psychiatry. Violent, irrational, or psychotic behavior is not limited to only our doors. What I was most angry about was realizing that a lot of places have limited safety policies. I’ve been frustrated, exhausted, and anxious. I’m more acutely aware of the limitations of my environment, and I am wise enough to know that I just need some space. As God looks out for babies and fools…and good people, I had vacation already scheduled. I’ve been working all week, since the incident, so this time off is crucial for my spirit and body to heal (my wrist and hand hurt constantly).
Is there a lesson in this other than to “bob and weave,” as one of my friends suggested? I believe there is. Wait for it…wait for it…safety is important. You have to be aware of your environment, at all times, whether your are at work, home, or out and about. You just never know what is about to happen or what is going on with someone. At the end of the day, each one of us is ultimately responsible for insuring that we are in safe places. For physicians, patients that are seriously mentally ill or violent from just being malicious are everywhere…not just in psychiatric facilities. Feeling safe is an integral key to feeling peaceful and peace definitely helps us sustain happiness.
Ok, let me wrap this up, so this blog doesn’t turn into a verbal marathon. Thanks for spending some time with me, and thanks for all the support that I have received. Despite this incident, I do not doubt my desire to practice psychiatry. Please take care, all of you! Let me get back to my ice pack that is helping me bring sexy back. LOL.
Much nub and health,
Dr. Ericka
Healthy, Fit, and Fabulous 
July 2, 2010 at 9:36 pm
I am grateful you are ok. It is so easy to overlook the hazards of the profession. Praying for a speedy recovery and of course that you learn “to bob and weave” and “rope a dope” if you have to….in Jesus name! Amen!
July 2, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Doc E.
I’m glad you are o.k.! And I agree 100% with your comment that recovery time is needed for the mental, emotional and physical scars that resonate with any type of physical assault. Take your time to reflect on the experience. Document what you will pass on to other Dr.’s. And build your experience into becoming as automatic as the most gross motor skill you can execute under pressure.
As a martial art expert the #1 thing I stress to all my clients whether they attend my S.A.F.E. – self defense workshops or a specific martial art class – not to confuse the two – is the importance of mental clarity, relaxation and maintaining personal harmony among the chaos that comes with any type of personal attack. Fighting with with an assailant is never the goal. The most important training element martial art skill and self-defense training have in common is the 80/20 rule…80% mental, 20% physical. This is the balance one should strive for if called upon to perform a highly skilled trick or life saving tactic.
I also agree that self-awareness training is vital for everyone, especially those in at risk professions. A well establish safety protocol in the office, hospital, school, home and even on the street provides us with an advanced warning system we all must have at our disposal. When crisis happens our default should be a trained instinct…and yes, contrary to popular belief, instincts can and should be trained with consistency.
Take care of yourself and Be S.A.F.E. (Survive, Aware, Familiar, Escape!)
p.s. I’m sorry I did not include you in my mailing list for the workshop I held last weekend at Piedmont Hospital Health & Fitness Club…I do them monthly, so I won’t miss you for August – July’s is for Juniors, ages 11-14
July 3, 2010 at 9:15 am
Ericka,
I was thinking about your incident at work. First as I mentioned before, I am sorry that this happened to you. Seem like it has been one thing after another with you. However, as a resolution I think what could help is if you seriously considered taking some martial arts or a self defense class. You are going to need confidence to go back into your work environment. There is nothing wrong with learning had to be a grasshopper and always stay on your toes. The other piece, is that even mentally ill folks know not to mess with certain people. You poster is different when you are in martial arts shape, it exudes self confidence. I am so proud of you for being a sport about all of this. But sometime a person blog is a cry out for help. I hope that you take my suggestion. I know I am not a Dr. but I am a friend.
July 3, 2010 at 9:38 am
Ericka,
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am so glad that you are ok and taking the time to heal and reflect. Thank you for all you do for those who struggle with mental illness and well-being. Please continue to ensure your safety first!
Much Love,
K
July 3, 2010 at 9:57 am
Learning to be aware of your surroundings and potential dangers is a skill that you can hone, Ericka. Yes, it’s hard to predict the actions of a mentally ill child, so you can’t plan for everything. And other people – she can’t box the kids she’s trying to help! LOL! Kung Fu teaches that the best way to avoid a hit is to not be there when it lands. (Karate Kid, 2010).
July 4, 2010 at 11:02 am
I agree with you Joy and other friends of Dr. E. It may be time for you to spend time cultivating crisis management skills as sharply as your skill to treat patients medically. But please don’t confuse ‘kung fu’ with martial art or self defense…all three are different in training, meaning and application. For those in the medical field I suggest self-defense training as something you dedicate your self to training until you feel a new sense of awareness and improvement. If you prefer to use Chinese words to describe pursuing excellence of a skill or hard work you can call it ‘kung fu’ but this word does not have to be related in to martial art – unless you are in the movie or entertainment business. I do not feel taking a martial art class will help you serve your clients better. Mainly because, unless you have a passion for a particular art form or want to take on a full time hobby, you will not have the time to cultivate the skill it takes to perform the moves at high enough level to use in a self-defense situation. Most of the Dr.’s I know have a heavy work load, long hours, and the follow up required for case management practices are intense. Thus, a full-time hobby like martial art isn’t one many of my Dr. friends choose unless that is truly what they are passionate about…
July 4, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Sorry to hear about your wrist. You haven’t LIVED as a doc if you haven’t been swung on or touched inappropriately by a confused, intoxicated, and/or violent patient.
I have been swung on but never hit. With surgery and anesthesia you generally wake up the way you went to sleep. Drunk and wild (as a lot of the trauma patients are) wake up generally the same. If you were crazy before you will be crazy after. And the kids… don’t even get me started on the kids.
Heal well.