A few days ago, I went to see a doctor for my heavy cold.

I hadn't been to a hospital for quite a long time but the media had given me the impression that both hospital management and doctors' attitudes had greatly improved because of the SARS scare earlier this year.

Under this impression, I went to my first hospital. Although disappointed by long queues and crowded conditions I persevered. The doctor seemed tired, impatient and brusque. She started writing out a prescription even before I had finished describing my symptoms.

And the contents of the prescription ended any optimism I may have had about this hospital. According to the prescription, all that I needed to do was to take the medicine already available at home.

My cold worsened so I tried another hospital, famous for its high-quality service. Frankly speaking, my heart was greatly warmed when a nurse introduced me to the "right" doctor after hearing my symptoms. To be on the safe side, I registered to see an expert doctor, although it cost me an extra 100 yuan (US$12.06).

Unlike the doctor at the first hospital, this one appeared to be very patient and nice. Troubled by the heavy cold and a lot of work for the previous several days, I was actually feeling quite low. As a result, I was so touched by the doctor's patience that I even mentioned my stress at work, which led me into a dangerous situation.

Instead of focusing on my heavy cold, the doctor started analyzing my stress. After half an hour she concluded that I was suffering from depression which needed to be cured by long-term therapy and medicine.

Doubt and panic crept into my heart and I began to wonder whether I really was depressed as she had diagnosed.

After leaving the hospital, I visited a friend who knows about mental or psychological problems. Astonished by my story, she assured me the diagnosis was ridiculous. It was the doctor who had problems. According to laws and regulations in China, the general rules to be followed by a doctor in diagnosing a patient who may be suffering from depression, are as follows:

Firstly, the doctor should have a licence to practise as a psychological consultant. Secondly, the doctor should give the potential patient standard psychological tests. A doctor cannot make a final judgment by merely talking to patients.

The only explanation I could find for the doctor's behaviour was the huge financial benefit to her that would arise from her "therapy", which would cost me at least 200 yuan a week for the next two years.

I used to believe hospital's were places to receive healing and comfort, while doctors were people deserving complete trust. Now I am unsure whether my trust in hospitals and doctors will ever return.

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