When I worked as a psychiatric nurse, I was called the N-word the first & only time by a black lady from Africa. I laughed at her then told her to come to me so I could check her blood sugar. I checked it three times and it wouldn't register on the glucometer.

I don't know what made me want to check her blood sugar. She had no history of diabetes. I called the doctor and had her transferred out. The hospital later called me & said she was indeed a diabetic & her aggressive behavior was probably due to being undiagnosed & untreated.

Underlying, unchecked physical health problems can mimic psychiatric issues. She'd been placed under a Baker Act 3 times and no one had thought to medically clear her which was our protocol at the time. When she got better, she, her husband and kids came to the facility to see me

She thanked me for getting the ball rolling with regards to finding out her real diagnosis. She wasn't bipolar or schizophrenic. She was diabetic. She apologized for being so aggressive towards me and was embarrassed. I made sure she knew it wasn't her fault.

Our healthcare system failed her and thank goodness it didn't cost her, her life. I worked there for a while and never saw her again. So she truly was a well person who didn't have access to primary care, screening or prevention.

The drugs she was given for this psychiatric illness she didn't have could've killed her. If folks only knew the things which occur in our healthcare system everyday. Being a nurse has taught me to never take anything at face value. Look beneath the surface. Advocate.