Advice on what to do..mental health related.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I've struggled with my mental health for over 12 years now & this year I seem to have been back & forth to the GP loads of times, with a few referrals to the Crisis Resolution Team.

About 6 weeks ago, I made a pre-bookable appointment to see the GP, but about 2 weeks ago, just a couple of days before my pre-booked appointment, I was so ill I ended up making an emergency appointment.

The GP increased the dose of my medication & also prescribed some sleeping tablets. He said he would refer to the mental health team for an assesment. I still attended my pre-booked appointment & reiterated with the Dr regarding the referral. She said it would only take a few days for an appointment to arrive in the post.

Anyway, I'm still quite un-well & when I collected my prescription from the Chemist, I had a word with the Pharmacist who advised me to go back to the GP & tell them how I'm feeling.

I telephoned the surgery to ask when my regular GP was at the practice, I also asked the receptionist to double check whether the referral had been sent. The receptionist said no referral had been made.

Since I've been told this, I feel like such a fool. I also feel that my problems are not being taken seriously, which in turn makes me feel quite concerned about where I'm going to end up. My partner is also very dismayed about the situation & seriously feels that we both need supporting. I'm in a quandry of what to do. I'm really not well enough to deal with this, but I can't leave it. The only support I have is my partner & he, unfortunatly has no support at all.

Any positive advice would be really appreciated.

dmg24

Can you contact the Crisis Team directly? If not, and you feel that you need urgent help, don't be afraid to present yourself at A&E.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I'm not involved with the mental health team anymore, so am not able to contact the Crisis Team direct.

A few years ago, the mental health services in my town under went a big shake up & the service has deteriorated since then. Many people were discharged back to the GP. Problem is the GP are reluctant to alter medications and also don't monitor the patients without the patient having to make an appointment when things aren't right.

Looking back, I relapsed a lot less when I was under the care of the Psychiatrist. But since about Christmas, I've never felt well & I'm so tired with hardly any energy at the moment. I just can't face getting into a confrontation with the GP.

dmg24

Could you see a different GP?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

To be honest, all the GPs are pretty much the same. I don't have faith in any of them. I have never really been supported by any GP at the practice & am now seriously considering moving to a different practice altogether.

The general attitude is you've struggled for 12 years, so you can keep struggling. However, I'm now of the opinion that if I had been looked after better, maybe I wouldn't have struggled for this long.

shaneybaby55

I would go back to your GP and tell her that you want a referral, you need to seek the proper help until you overcome your problem. You need to say to your GP that your problem has been going on for too long and you need the correct treatment, also google mentalhealth as some site like mind I am sure they will point you in the right direction, be strong as I know it is tough but don't forget there are also happy times, even if you get 1 day in 7 that is happy it is still worth fighting for.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I did go and see the same GP today & asked her whether a referral had been made. She rekons there was nothing in my records to indicate a referral had been made, however, she thought maybe he'd made the referral over the telephone.

That sounded like another cop out. I can't imagine a GP making a referral without documenting it somewhere even if it was over the phone.

Anyway, I re-itterated how I was feeling & she just said my depression is out of control and needs sorting. That I need more support. She then advised that she would chase it up. WHich is pretty much what she said the last time.


I just feel I'm walking on a knife edge at the moment. I also hate feeling so cynical, but that's how experience has got me unfortunatly.

Indie_Kid

You have to keep on at them. Is self-referral possible?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

sh1305 wrote: »

You have to keep on at them. Is self-referral possible?

No, unfortunatly it's not an option. The services here have changed over the past years for the worst. Not sure what the legislation is in other parts of the country.

MissRose

Whilst waiting for your referral to come through could you look at going for some sort of talking therapy on a private basis? In my area there are funded places with a private psychotherapist and if you are on say ESA or DLA it's just a nominal charge. I used this while waiting for a referral to a CPN and it worked really well. I also used a nurse who specialised in CBT and condition management whom I was referred to by the DWP as part of my ESA claim. She was wonderful and really supportive. Her function was more to support back into the workplace but she was able to contribute so much more than that.

My GP also set up sessions with their in house counsellor. I didn't need to use her in the end though as my CMHT referral came through.

Just trying to think of alternative short term areas where you could get some support.

Hope that you do manage to get something sorted very soon.

ramsas

Present yourself to Accident & Emergency if you feel that your mental health is cause for concern..They will bring in the relevant on call Mental Health team member and then take it from there.I have personal experience of doing exactly this some years ago when I was in a bad way with my mental health,I had no choice I was desperate and was in a real bad place.Do not let things slip away from you..if you feel you are in crisis then get yourself there and get some respite.Good luck....