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Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I'm sorry to make another thread. I could really do with some practical advice. I don't know how many of you have been reading my crappy depressing long thread so sorry for repeating myself, I'll try and give a quick update.
I was seeing the CMHT from about October to a month ago. I got discharged because my CPN's case load was too big. The psychiatrist's recommendation after my assessment was for me to receive long-term psychotherapy. This was the similar to what my last psychiatrist has said. The same one had also said that I really needed some professional input and I was unlikely to get better by myself. I was discharged without any follow up, or therapy (I begged to be put on the waiting list - but no). So this is what has happened since I was discharged....
- I was told about 2 services that offered private therapy at a reduced rate because it was carried out by trainees. 2 days after my last appointment I called up my CPN with the intention of asking for a letter to explain my situation to take to occupational health to try and secure funding. (I received a brief stint of therapy last year and it had to stop because I moved, so didn't really get anywhere but that's how it was funded. Anyway CPN didn't return that call, or a second call a week later. I called back a couple of days ago and the receptionist said that it was up to him whether he called me back as I was now off his books. Despite me first calling a month ago
- At my last appointment with my CPN I also requested a call back from my psychiatrist to explain properly why I had been discharged and why I wasn't referred onto therapy. And according to receptionist it is the same as above - and I should just go through my GP.
- I self-referred to Free Service no. 1. They refused my referral on the basis that they only offered short-term therapy for those with mild-mod MH probs. I challenged this and they said it wasn't really ethical for them to offer me short-term when they have seen that I required something more long-term. But the woman I spoke to was nice, and said she couldn't understand why I wasn't offered something I needed and was going to chase it up with my old CPN and get back to me. That was a couple of weeks ago now....
- Free Service 2 have accepted my self-referral and I have an assessment next week. They only offer short term stuff, and I know the other lady said that there is not much evidence to suggest that short term interventions help those who require long term stuff, but I guess I'd feel better having something.
I think I feel like giving up. I've gone from mostly feeling angry about all of this, to feeling like its all because I don't deserve to be helped. I'm a horrible person and noone wants to help me. I'm clearly a nightmare patient if noone wants to return my calls when all I was trying to do was help myself If I was worth keeping alive then someone would have done something by now. The guy I'm seeing has been in touch with MIND, and I know I should get a GP appointment, but I just don't have any fight left. Like what is the point of doing all these things?
I really feel so awful and can't think of any reasons to keep trying.
I was seeing the CMHT from about October to a month ago. I got discharged because my CPN's case load was too big. The psychiatrist's recommendation after my assessment was for me to receive long-term psychotherapy. This was the similar to what my last psychiatrist has said. The same one had also said that I really needed some professional input and I was unlikely to get better by myself. I was discharged without any follow up, or therapy (I begged to be put on the waiting list - but no). So this is what has happened since I was discharged....
- I was told about 2 services that offered private therapy at a reduced rate because it was carried out by trainees. 2 days after my last appointment I called up my CPN with the intention of asking for a letter to explain my situation to take to occupational health to try and secure funding. (I received a brief stint of therapy last year and it had to stop because I moved, so didn't really get anywhere but that's how it was funded. Anyway CPN didn't return that call, or a second call a week later. I called back a couple of days ago and the receptionist said that it was up to him whether he called me back as I was now off his books. Despite me first calling a month ago
- At my last appointment with my CPN I also requested a call back from my psychiatrist to explain properly why I had been discharged and why I wasn't referred onto therapy. And according to receptionist it is the same as above - and I should just go through my GP.
- I self-referred to Free Service no. 1. They refused my referral on the basis that they only offered short-term therapy for those with mild-mod MH probs. I challenged this and they said it wasn't really ethical for them to offer me short-term when they have seen that I required something more long-term. But the woman I spoke to was nice, and said she couldn't understand why I wasn't offered something I needed and was going to chase it up with my old CPN and get back to me. That was a couple of weeks ago now....
- Free Service 2 have accepted my self-referral and I have an assessment next week. They only offer short term stuff, and I know the other lady said that there is not much evidence to suggest that short term interventions help those who require long term stuff, but I guess I'd feel better having something.
I think I feel like giving up. I've gone from mostly feeling angry about all of this, to feeling like its all because I don't deserve to be helped. I'm a horrible person and noone wants to help me. I'm clearly a nightmare patient if noone wants to return my calls when all I was trying to do was help myself
If I was worth keeping alive then someone would have done something by now. The guy I'm seeing has been in touch with MIND, and I know I should get a GP appointment, but I just don't have any fight left. Like what is the point of doing all these things?I really feel so awful and can't think of any reasons to keep trying.
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I had a similar experience with phoning my old CPN and she never returned my calls. I gave up and just started working on my own, which was difficult. But I can really relate to how shit you must feel when they don't return your calls.
I'm not sure if it's helpful to hear that you're worth it, but you are. Keep fighting to get the help you deserve to a happier and healthier life, I believe in you and I know there's a lot of others that do too. Don't give up, you can do this!
(Sorry, probably not practical advice really) *hug*
I guess in terms of next steps, I don't really know what to do. Do I complain? Do I demand the answers that I was told I'd get? Do I spend time seeing the counsellor who isn't really helping (4th attempt at counselling and not going well) or do I give this free service a go? I don't know if I really have the willpower to try anything else. I can't take another door shutting in my face
Sorry to hear about the CMHT. Perhaps free place 2 will be able to offer you more sessions than the norm? Sometimes in exceptional circumstances they can.
Yes, as part of the complaint.
Which you decide to do is a very personal decision, but I think something is better than nothing. Short-term help won't solve the problem, but it might keep your head above water, and it might lead to better long-term options (e.g. they might be able to support your application to Occupational Health if your CPN / the CMHT are not coming through).
As ever. She is the wise one. Seriously, she makes a good point with PALS.
It's so understandable that you feel like this - you've been through a lot and been really strong at persevering against the odds. A lot of people would have given up sooner, but it shows that you do want help and you have got reasons to keep going.
Sadly, I think the NHS is being trimmed and cut in every direction and many people are receiving the same kind of 'treatment' (ironic word as you're getting none) as you are. It doesn't mean you're a nightmare patient, and it's most definitely not personal - it's a simple case of funding. None of that helps you, but please don't blame yourself for not getting the care and support you need.
As hard as it is, keep going and try every avenue available to you - hopefully you'll find one that helps.
*big hugs*
So I'm guessing the things I need to do are (in no particular order):
-Talk to MIND and think about talking to PALS.
-Wait for my Pastoral tutor to get back, speak about OH.... Go and see them and explain the situation and hopefully OH will throw their weight around of they need more info rather than me having to do it. (To try and get funding for private therapy)
-Get an appt with GP
-Turn up to my assessment by Free Service 2.
-Get in touch with Free Service 1 and see if they got any answers for me.
Sounds good? I'll try and work through that list.
Thanks guys.
If they're not in order, they're perfect. If they are in order, then do what Picc said.
Also, add on a reminder that you need to not let any health issue rule your life and make sure you're getting on with the other stuff to.
-Tried to call GP several times but no answer, but will keep trying to book appointment.
-Spoke to a lovely woman at MIND. They only really offer 1to1 befriending and some social groups. She runs the 18-30 social group and says I'm welcome to attend that (unfortunately its a weekday morning, but it might be nice to go if I ever have the opportunity). She also asked why I was calling and asked what support I had in place, I explained and she also seemed disappointed at the system, and recommended I talked to my GP.
-Called Free Service 1 and they said they're still waiting to hear back from the CMHT. (It has been over 3 weeks now so not holding out much hope).
Free Service 1 got back to me. So they're going to stick to their decision about not taking me on, due to the fact that she said the evidence is that for people like me (who have been recommended long-term therapy), short-term therapy can be detrimental and make people's mental health worse
So she managed to speak to my old CPN. It seems the main reason I wasn't offered therapy is I'm not high enough risk. Seems like I need to do something risky then. More ammo for me to just get on and do something really.
She was very nice and told me that I should a) ask for some sort of discharge summary and b) try AGAIN to get a callback from the psych.
Also got a double appointment with the GP next week but seems more and more pointless.
There must be some place or person that you can point this out to.
Is the befriending an option from MIND? Just thinking that there might be some help in having someone kind of in a system to complement us wonderful lot here.
Ok yet another update:
Had an assessment from a guy from free service 2. It was OK I guess. At the end he explained that I have some things going for me (in terms of getting therapy from them) such as not really having had anything before, but also something going against me - he said that he thinks I'm quite high risk. He said that he thought the CMHT hadn't understood my risk (they called me low risk). He also said that he thought I could have BPD and that he knows the CMHT have specialist services for that.
As it stands I can't make my appointment this week, but he's keeping it in because he didn't want to leave me another week apparently. But he said he'll give me a call.
I'm terrified about hearing back. I don't want it to be a no
Wouldn't prescribe me anymore diazepam :banghead:
Ah well.
You can do fine without the diazepam.
Not so good news - it's CBT. And I know people are going to think I'm ungrateful and naive, so I'm not even going to bother explaining why it's not so good.
And if it's not good - it might be another step for getting something more suitable.
One psychiatrist doesn't make all the decisions. The outcomes of CBT interventions can be really positive, though, it really is worth persisting.
How did you get on with Mind, I can't remember?
And it isn't the psychiatrist - it's the 'care pathway'.
That sounds better than nothing - might help you to get out of bed when you're not working and give you something to work towards on days you're not well enough to do anything more.
1 professional said he didn't think CBT would benefit me
Another one said that it was only long-term psychotherapy that would make a difference.
It doesn't matter anyway, I don't want anyone's help.
I don't think you're really in the right frame of mind to talk about this right now. in the end, anything would be better than nothing. and don't forget, these professionals that you are taking advice from are the same ones that have messed you about and been of very little use, so I'm not sure how valid their views are. if a long term intervention was available that would be wonderful, but it's not. that doesn't mean that a short term intervention isn't worth a go, if only to show them that it isn't suitable.