this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2026
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Mildly Interesting

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The police was called to my address two days ago. It's because I vented a little too hard to someone that knows my address. My mistake. For the first time ever, I had an ambulance called (even tho I was not injured, in no danger and overall fine). I honestly feel terrible for wasting an ambulance's time. The two EMTs just asked some questions, made sure I was okay, measured my heartbeat and blood oxygen level (100%, wow!) and printed me this piece of paper. This was a first for me, so it was indeed mildly interesting to me.

I'm honestly still depressed as fuck, a dysphoric mess, but I guess I'm alive.

All sensitive information has been redacted, except for my legal first name, which is no secret (it's literally my username) and I've shared it here before.

Transcript (translated):
Anxiety disorder; undergoing gender transition.
HRT, escitalopram, antiandrogen.
Today, during an online conversation, she complained so bitterly about her life that a friend called the police and emergency services out of concern for her suicidal intentions. Upon arrival, the police administered a breathalyzer test and a drug test, both of which were negative. The young patient was present; she was rational, without delusions or hallucinations, oriented, denied suicidal tendencies, confirmed her anxiety, and stated that she just needed to vent and complain. She does not want and does not believe she currently needs an acute psychiatric consultation; she does not want sedative medication; I am leaving her at the scene—she lives with her boyfriend, who will keep an eye on her. In case of difficulties, anxiety, or suicidal tendencies, they will call emergency services at any time; she was instructed accordingly and agrees.
Objective findings: conscious, fully oriented, cooperative, rational, no delusions, no hallucinations, normal heart rate, normal cranial nerve function, neck mobility normal, eupnea, normotension, normal oxygen saturation, ASP, no somatic complaints.

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[–] Avicenna@programming.dev 5 points 16 hours ago

proves you have reliable friends.

[–] ODGreen@lemmy.ca 5 points 18 hours ago

Hey OP you're a stranger but I'm glad you're still around.

Hope things get better for you.

I've been in a similar situation to you (depressed, however not dysphoric) - one day the clouds will clear and you will live your life as you are meant to.

[–] antianarchist@sopuli.xyz 1 points 17 hours ago

Been there, done that. But I did not get the ambulance treatment. And not even a breathalyzer was used by police. They just chatted with me. Stupid me, who does not like to open doors as soon as it rings, was quite startled about the banging on the door. But in hindsight, I understand their procedure.

Force yourself to walk outdoors, no matter what weather. 30 minutes. Ideally through a forest. Helps a lot with all the thoughts and some statistics support this, too.

[–] eldyaitch@lemmy.zip 56 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Paramedic here. I’ve worked in emergency medical services for many years. You absolutely did not waste their time, and like others said, you weren’t even the one who called. To be fully transparent: the annoying calls are for the patients who fake a headache and request ambulance transportation in lieu of calling a taxi (Uber nowadays). Some of the worst calls are for patients that either successfully, or partially, committed suicide. Not only is it nearly impossible to resuscitate them; we always wish they had a friend who they could have talked to to prevent such a thing. You have that friend. Any patient genuinely in need of any medical attention, big or small, is exactly why EMTs and paramedics get into the profession. I am glad you are okay, and I’m glad you find Patient Care Reports (PCRs) mildly interesting.

[–] Korval@lemmy.today 4 points 1 day ago (3 children)

I'm curious why "neck mobility normal" is listed. I guess it pairs with the bit about the cranial nerve, but I don't rightly see why that was mentioned either.

[–] eldyaitch@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 day ago

Some EMTs use a template to speed up the process of documentation. This may be leftover from that since it wasn’t a false statement. The neck is often assessed if a patient incurs an injury. If indicated, the EMT/Paramedic would apply a rigid cervical collar to protect from further injury.

[–] SlurpingPus@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Not sure why EMTs in particular would want to check that, but as someone with a wack neck I can report that tense neck muscles impede blood flow and make the brain a bit loopy. Which is to say, if one's sitting at their desk too long, a walk does wonders for clearing the head and thinking better.

[–] ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.org 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Likely a checklist item, much like the more obvious ones in the surrounding tables (eye movement, verbal reactions). It's a possible indicator of stress or worse, like brain swelling.

A less literal translation but more useful if you want to search for more info would be "cervicalgia negative". It's arguably more accurate since "šíje volná" (literally "nape free") is never anything but the opposite of "šíje ztuhlá" ("nape stiff" or cervicalgia).

[–] abbadon420@sh.itjust.works 13 points 1 day ago

That's actually really nice, to have someone care so much for you that they worry about you and get you help. Doesn't matter that if you actually needed it or not. The guesture is kind of heartwarming. You should cherish that person. Also the ambulance people sound really nice.

[–] TheLunatickle@lemmy.zip 33 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Hey, you weren't wasting anyone's time. And it wasn't a mistake to vent, be glad that someone cares enough to worry!

[–] QueenMiisha@lemmy.blahaj.zone 16 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I guess you're right. Sorry, as I fall deeper into a dark hole, I get more and more cynical. Thanks

[–] dingus@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I get that it's embarrassing, but it shows that you and others care. I had someone almost call an ambulance on me before for similar reasons. Thankfully it did not progress that far and I was embarrassed about it, but I was very thankful that they cared enough to (nearly) do so.

It's part of the job for EMTs to respond to mental health situations, even if they aren't necessarily immediately life threatening. You probably gave them a much nicer call than the ones where they are vomited on by someone who drank too much lol!!

Our brains love to lie to us when we are down and tell us that we are a burden to others. I thought that way the entire time. But we aren't. We are all just confused electrified flesh trying to make our way in the world. We are all valid.

I am hoping the best for you, friend.

[–] NotAHondaAccord@lemmy.blahaj.zone 24 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

you live in a country with a functional social support system thank god, that could have been significantly worse

But like. That is EMT's job, to check on and take care of people. I've known a couple of them and I guarantee they did not find you annoying or a waste of their time. if anything, it was probably the best call theyve gotten all month. 90% of the time they're responding to the worst day in anyone's life, or the last day. They deal with true psychriactric breaks, violent patients throwing bodily fluids at them, car accidents, or having not made it there in time. All sorts of mind bending things.

For them to get a call from someone who CARES ABOUT YOU enough to want to make sure you're ok, then they find you alive and well (albeit down in the dumps), and ultimately have support to stay that way- that's why they do it. Literally. You are the reason they chose to be an EMT in the first place.

[–] Chozo@fedia.io 6 points 1 day ago (2 children)

you live in a country with a functional social support system thank god, that could have been significantly worse

Yeah I was gonna say, here in the US a call like that would result in somebody and their dog both getting shot.

[–] zergtoshi@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

...and being sent a bill afterwards to pay for the visit.

[–] ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

In a 2018 study of Czech gender-diverse folk, only about 5 % reported having been discriminated against or otherwise uncomfortably treated by the police. That's the lowest rate of all institutions queried and the date of incidents that count is "as far back as they can remember", although unlike doctors or colleagues, folks usually don't interact with police nearly as often. However, the police here is very serious about not having a reputation like in the US, and any criticism is taken seriously. I noticed a flyer on reporting discrimination due to identity, counselling and other queer issues at the station. I have a photo of the English copy (they know the audience!), I'll post it here once I find it...

Edit:

Yes, it's me who called the police, after a certain community member here and/or on Matrix expressed their concern for Miisha and told me I should. I don't have the address where Miisha lives with her BF despite what she said here. I only know her name and neighborhood, so it could be any flat of several hundred among dozens of blocks, and I have no idea about her BF's first or last name (which is likely the one on the doorbell) so I couldn't even seek them out IRL, much less online. Neither do I have any contacts to any of Miisha's acquaintances who could text/call/visit, which I would certainly prefer to police involvement (currently necessary for an intervention since they can find her address in a database and I don't think the EMT could or would use their history)

[–] WhoIzDisIz@lemmy.today 9 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

You didn't call them, so it's not your fault that person overreacted. But be glad they cared enough to call for help to be sure, I guess. Now you know their limits so you can set yours with them accordingly.

Glad you're okay & have support. Sadly, many aren't so lucky.

And kudos to those EMTs for treating you with the respect you deserve.

[–] QueenMiisha@lemmy.blahaj.zone 11 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I guess...yeah. Thanks

And yeah, the EMTs were great. Even in my state, even with my rugged and masc appearance, they treated me super well. They were fantastic.

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm so glad you are ok and the cops didn't shoot you like they do where I am. 🫂❤️

I hope you improve and are great, quickly.

[–] QueenMiisha@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Thanks. The cops in my country are way different. Sure, they're armed, but they're generally really, really nice and they mostly focus on deescalating the situation. Doesn't mean I wasn't scared out of my mind, cause I've only interacted with the police a couple of times in my life, but those couple of times have always been nothing but positive.

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 4 points 1 day ago

You're welcome! I'm glad you've never had any bad interactions with the police. Please take good care of yourself. You matter.

My time with mental health is always seems that the EMT people are the most kindest nicest people. Not all but all I met. And that's what they are there for, your not wasting there time at all. I have several times I had to interact with them in mental health crisis and they even known how to treat me and know what some of my conditions are. Firefighters are not as good but still close second though.

[–] Zarobi@aussie.zone 0 points 1 day ago

I have a similar story. Not sure whether this will make you feel better or worse, but might as well share it. This is in Australia for context.

I know someone who made too many self-deprecating jokes at work, and a coworker reported it to the police. After work, the police arrived at their home, permanently confiscated all their firearms collection, permanently revoked their firearms licence, and detained them in a mental hospital ward for a fortnight against their will.

I visited them a few times in hospital. They were neighbours with actually psychotic people wandering around and screaming. They had no access to a phone or any of their possessions; they only had their hospital gown and nothing to do but wander around and wait. They were so extremely unhappy for that fortnight, I remember thinking to myself; "if they weren't suicidal before, they probably are now." Nothing they said would convince the doctors to let them leave early.

Afterwards; their work life and financials suffered significantly from the forced unpaid break. They had to quit half their hobbies at the shooting range and gun club, and they became even more depressed.

They seem a bit better now, years later; but to me it always seemed like a massive overreaction and mismanagement by everybody involved. They still can't own firearms.