Poor Dorothy became mentally ill and her behaviour was upsetting the other residents in the nursing home where she lived. Despite the best efforts of her community psychiatric nurse it was clear that she would have to be admitted to hospital for treatment. And so it was that an Approved Social Worker, a psychiatrist and I went to see her to carry out an assessment under the Mental Health Act.
There was no doubt in our minds that she needed admission, but when we told her what was going to happen she became indignant. "I'm not going to no hospital" she declared, "I'm not daft!" At which point the social worker leant forwards solicitously and reached out to hold Dorothy's hand. "We're not saying that you're daft for one minute, Dotty."
14 comments:
This is always tricky. Usually you have to convince them that they are going for some other reason "we're going to check your heart out" or such.
It's always a tough call how to approach these.
We're always upfront with patients. That's the scary thing about the Mental Health Act: once the papers are signed the patient goes where the doctor says she goes.
Hmm. Maybe the joke only works in British English? But it's a true story.
Freudian slip on the part of the social worker?
Ooh! I got that one! I got it! See,I is not stupid! Whoops, drooled on myself again. Nursie!
Wait... what am I supposed to get?
Oooh, Dotty is not short for Dorothy, it means "mentally unbalanced" -- thank you urban dictionary!
Thanks Xavier, you are quite correct. In England 'Dotty' is both a pet name for women called Dorothy and a slang term meaning slightly mad.
For the avoidance of doubt, I am sure the social worker didn't intend this 'double entendre' but it may well have been a Freudian slip as Townmouse suggests.
Lovely story!
Poor old Dotty. Pity she couldn't have been treated where she was at the nursing home? Round the clock supervision in familiar surroundings - no?
Welcome back btw - you were much missed on my rounds.
Ha ha. I didn't get it at first, being an nonnative speaker... Thanks for the explanation; it sure was a funny situation (could you keep from laughing?).
You've also heard about the doctor, talking in the hallway to his two interns about Mr. Smit who has Alzheimer's... and then walking into the patient room, saying loudly: "Good morning, Mr. Alzheimer!".
Bye for now...
I translate into English for a living and take a pride in reflecting the style of the original, especially when it is for a presentation - but, OMG, how I dread getting the "play on words" bits! It takes soooooo long to come up with something that works without losing the point. Mind you, I've learnt an awful lot about English as she is spoke all over the world!!!!!!
Did the social worker realise what she had said? Was it really a Freudian woopsie? How many more such anecdotes have you got? There have to be lots!!
Haha! Did she realise what she'd said straight afterwards?
Thanks everyone.
Anonymous: yes, I gather that translation can be both fascinating and very difficult.
Haha! What a great story! I've enjoyed it. Thank you!
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