Bipolar support thread

Rikochet

Hi I think I might have had something to do with this thread being made so I thought I should add my tuppence worth.

I haven't actually been diagnosed with anything yet apart from depression for which I am being treated for by my GP who has prescribed Sertraline. He's recently increased my dose to 150mg and for the moment I feel semi normal but no doubt that will change after a week or two.

After many years of suffering and bouts of depression and 'possibly' mania (please see my 'About to be diagnosed with Bipolar' thread) I have finally managed to stay with the same GP long enough to be reffered to my local NHS Psychology Dept for an appointment.

I am looking forward to this as this is something that I should have done years ago but before I met my OH I wasn't even able to admit anything was wrong never mind seek help.

I left my latest job after a few periods of absence and now receive ESA (£126.80 a fortnight) and DLA lower care and lowest mobility (£36.60 a week).

I've also applied to my local council for Housing and Council Tax Benefits for which I am awaiting a decision.

This has all happened in the last couple of months and prior to this I was losing jobs left right and centre and basically letting whatever is wrong with me ruin my life.

I am now on the right path and it's with no small thanks to the advice and support I've received from others on this forum that I've been able to do all of this.

Just some advice from me since I'm a veteran now.

1. I filled in my forms online and found it so much easier. The forms they send out to you can easily send you into a whirlwind of depression and anxiety which will make sure that they don't get filled in. Doing it online takes you through step by step and you only see the parts that are relevant to you and your circumstances.

2. Be honest with yourself when filling in the forms. If you have to get your OH to drag you out of bed by the teeth in the morning then say that. Don't be too proud about why you need help and most of all don't lie. They've seen it all before and you'll only get caught out in the end.

3. If your circumstances change let them know ASAP. A simple thing like a psychology appointment in a months time can help the decision maker decide how much care you need. They've always been really nice to me on the phone and treat me like a human being.

4. This forum is an invaluable resource but don't take everything you read as the truth as their are a lot of people out there who will moan and b!7ch about the system and how everyone's out to get you and to make you out as a liar. Ignore comments about keywords and lie detectors and filling out your forms on a full moon wearing a blue jumper and sacrificing an albino Panda to get your award. These are people who haven't got an award for whatever reason and just want to vent their frustration.

The system is there to help people who need it. If you genuinely need help and you're able to get this across on your forms simply and concisely it will make getting an award much easier. Use the resources that are available to you like CAB and MIND if you have one locally.

This has actually turned into a bit of a novel now so I'll leave it at that and wish you all good luck and good health mentally or otherwise!!!

skipsmum

Thanks - great sense of humour u have!

starnight_2

:rotfl:




Anyway I'm going to speak to CPN Tiesday as I'm feeling really down atm, and I know I need to keep taking meds, but feeling ?? I want to say lethargic or hopeless ?? and see what she can suggest, or if she will say to my sis about phoning me every night.

Hope everyones ok
xx

lellie

Argh! I finally meet my new psychiatrist in 45 minutes and I'm so nervous. I have recently been transferred back from private care to the NHS since my company health insurance have stopped my funding and it has been a huge shock to the system. To go from constant input and weekly psychiatrist appointments to virtually nothing has been difficult. I rapid cycle and my condition changes constantly so the thought of seeing my psych every 3 or even 6 months is worrying. Any tips for managing the NHS mental health system?

skipsmum

Hi Lellie,
I can only speak for my area (but it is a deprived area) - they have been fantastic and see me weekly. I see the same psych and nurse each time, which is great.

starnight_2

I seen my psych weekly for the first yr, we are now down to every 6 weeks. Just be honest with them...and maybe ask them what to expect.

dreamcatcher_7000

I've been seeing the same psychiatrist for about 6 years, and she's been utterly fantastic.The environment is a bit shabby, as I live in a deprived area, but the staff and the doctors really couldnt be better.I hope your appointment went well lellie x

skipsmum

yeah. MH services are in the bowels of the hospital with all the piping and boiler bits and peeling paint! But the staff are great.

dane-katie

Im off to see my pdoc today, hopefully she will increase my medication as i am still hallucinating daily, hospital i go to its quite nice where i see her, but they are moving next month so god knows where we will be put.

starnight_2

On an update... I couldn't bring myself to tell my CPN that I hate taking my meds...but blood test so she'll soon find out. I hate feeling like I'm going to disappoint her, but I have restarted them and hopefull can get myself together.

Also had my DS appt yesterday. Paediatrician is 98% sure my son has Aspergers, doens't make a difference to me, but I am hoping that with help etc some things can become less stressful events. In the long run helping me stay stable and enabling me to help my son more.