NHS Mental Health Care

UKTigerlily

I really need to vent about this & was undecided as to whether to put it here or in the Depression thread ... apologies if it's in the wrong place & please feel free to move it elsewhere

I feel that mental health care is extremely important & the waiting lists & access to care are disgusting, at least where I live. Now, as an example, if I had another illness, say cancer (I don't wish to offend or upset anyone, just a physical illness to compare to) i'd get the treatment I need (Ok maybe not Herceptin) & am sure i'd have support from nurses & prompt treatment. This was the case with my Aunt.

Because it's mental health I get a half an hour appointment every 5/6 weeks with my Psychiatrist & if he or I have to cancel, it's another 5/6 week wait on top of that. I've managed to see my current Psychiatrist 2x in 4 months. On one occasion when he had to cancel they didn't even bother to let me know & it's 2x buses & 1 train ride away & takes a long time to get to.

In between appointments i'm told any problems see the GP. Now there is NO point seeing my GP, or any GP. They can't alter my medication or send me to Psychotherapy & didn't even know about the Crisis Team, it's a case of go home & wait for 5/6 weeks to see us again, in the meantime i'm left with no support, nobody to even talk to & so many things i'm unable to do to even live a normal life.

I've been for assessments for treatments & been told we can't help as there's too much going on, it's too serious, you're too depressed etc etc. There's a two year waiting list for Psychotherapy. My Psychiatrist was supposed to be permanent, as the junior Dr's leave every 6 months, now they'll only be there for 4 months before moving on & my Dr is leaving & not being replaced.

As soon as you explain to the new Dr how things are it's time for them to go again, it's not like they can just flip through scans/blood tests or whatever, they have to get to know you. I tried to get Psychotherapy myself at a self referral place & was told that my problems are too severe for once a week I need help constantly, so why don't I get any support between appointments.

When we spoke about a CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse) they said there's not enough to go round which I can believe. I'm so frustrated & have no doubt the people who work in mental health are too. I had a Nervous Breakdown, thought that term isn't used now, and spent 6/7 months off work, unable to answer the door or phone, leave the house, everything, not once did I even get checked on to see I was ok & hadn't hurt myself.

Sorry to go on, i'm just finding it so difficult to cope & am yet again on the sick with no idea how to manage it. I do have daily medication 2x a day on antidepressants & mood stabilisers, but other than that nothing.

I don't expect replies or anyone to even read all this, just wanted to vent. I think NHS workers do a fantastic job & when I do see anyone they're always awesome, it's just getting to see them. Mental health wards have been closed here too. Sorry if this post offends anyone, if so please PM me & i'll delete & if you've got this far thanks x

DjSatansfury

Be thankful you get to see a Psychopherapist...

hollydays

Sorry you are having such a tough time.Maybe sites like this and even telephone helplines can go a little way towards having someone to talk to.I agree it is a scandal.Have you thought about trying to access any local charities who offer free counselling(not the same as a pshychotherapist,i know)

Nicki

I'm sorry you've had such a hard time, and hope it gets better soon.

I suspect this may be another case of a postcode lottery. I had a nervous beakdown too a few years ago, and was seen by a psychiatrist the same day I saw my GP and weekly after that for a long period. In between visits I was seen by the CPN, and I was also told if things got bad to go to Accident and Emergency, where the psychiatrist had briefed them about me, and who would be able to arrange extra meds if needed. My GP was also very supportive, and did know about the services in the area.

All I can suggest is that you speak again to your psychiatrist to make sure that he or she really understands how serious things are, and also that you request a CPN again. In our area you can actually self-refer to CPNs but this may not be nationwide. I would also check out any voluntary sector help - I did phone the Samaritans a few times when I was really bad and they were good, and there were also charities (in my case targetted at young mothers, but I am sure there are others). If all else fails, there is always A and E. I only ended up there once, but they were extremely kind and good with me.

Nenen

I'm so sorry to hear of your experiences... you are absolutely right; mental health is the 'poor relation' of physical illness and NHS funding is constantly being cut etc. My husband is a psychotherapist and gets very frustrated by the system.

I guess if you are off work long term you are probably on a reduced income and can't afford to be seen privately... but have you looked at the reduced fee schemes run by either the Society of Analytical Psychologists (psychotherapists actually) or the British Association of Psychotherapists?

Both associations are bone fide training organisations (beware of quacks or well meaning underqualified people in this area). Both do assessments and can then arrange for people to see a psychotherapist long term, several times per week, for a very low fee (sometimes as low as £6 per session). I can't stress enough how important it is to have professional continuity of help... which as you have found, is almost impossible on the NHS! You can self refer and have an assessment if you want to.

It might be helpful for you to have a look at these websites:

http://jungian-analysis.org/

or the British Association of Psychotherapists:

http://www.bap-psychotherapy.org/reducedfee.html

The following is a quote from their website:

"The British Association of Psychotherapists has for many years run a REDUCED FEE SCHEME which offers a limited number of vacancies for three times weekly Psychoanalytic or Jungian Analytic psychotherapy for adults able to make a minimum commitment of at least two years.

Applicants who are accepted under the Reduced Fee Scheme are treated by experienced practitioners undertaking an advanced training. The fees range from £6 to £25 per session.

Enquiries are welcome from applicants or from referring professionals. Initial contact may be made through the Chief Executive of the British Association of Psychotherapists (Telephone: 020 8452 9823, or Fax 020 8452 0310) or one of the Organisers responsible for the administration of the Scheme (see below). "

Hope this helps and do let us know how things go. As I've said, my husband is a psychotherapist (member of the BAP) but just to reassure you, I do not get any financial gain from what I have written here.

UKTigerlily

Nenen wrote:

I'm so sorry to hear of your experiences... you are absolutely right; mental health is the 'poor relation' of physical illness and NHS funding is constantly being cut etc. My husband is a psychotherapist and gets very frustrated by the system.

I guess if you are off work long term you are probably on a reduced income and can't afford to be seen privately... but have you looked at the reduced fee schemes run by either the Society of Analytical Psychologists (psychotherapists actually) or the British Association of Psychotherapists?

Both associations are bone fide training organisations (beware of quacks or well meaning underqualified people in this area). Both do assessments and can then arrange for people to see a psychotherapist long term, several times per week, for a very low fee (sometimes as low as £6 per session). I can't stress enough how important it is to have professional continuity of help... which as you have found, is almost impossible on the NHS! You can self refer and have an assessment if you want to.

It might be helpful for you to have a look at these websites:

http://jungian-analysis.org/

or the British Association of Psychotherapists:

http://www.bap-psychotherapy.org/reducedfee.html

The following is a quote from their website:

"The British Association of Psychotherapists has for many years run a REDUCED FEE SCHEME which offers a limited number of vacancies for three times weekly Psychoanalytic or Jungian Analytic psychotherapy for adults able to make a minimum commitment of at least two years.

Applicants who are accepted under the Reduced Fee Scheme are treated by experienced practitioners undertaking an advanced training. The fees range from £6 to £25 per session.

Enquiries are welcome from applicants or from referring professionals. Initial contact may be made through the Chief Executive of the British Association of Psychotherapists (Telephone: 020 8452 9823, or Fax 020 8452 0310) or one of the Organisers responsible for the administration of the Scheme (see below). "

Hope this helps and do let us know how things go. As I've said, my husband is a psychotherapist (member of the BAP) but just to reassure you, I do not get any financial gain from what I have written here.

Thankyou so much i'll look into this now & let you know how I get on, it's something I knew nothing about & i'm off to look now!

UKTigerlily

DjSatansfury wrote:

Be thankful you get to see a Psychopherapist...

In which part of my post did I say I can get to see a Psychotherapist?

There's a two year waiting list for Psychotherapy.

I tried to get Psychotherapy myself at a self referral place & was told that my problems are too severe for once a week

zztopgirl

I had similar but i just try to cope alone now. I saw a cpn for a short time, by dh had a severe accident and i was the one who found him (a sight that will affect me for the rest of my life, to put it lightly), this would stress out even the sanest person. The cpn said it shouldnt bother me as the accident happened to dh and not me. I made a complaint and he denied saying it. One surefire way to send someone round the bend. I expect the ambulance staff who attended the scene all got counselling afterward. Little wife here is just expected to get on with life.

I was told by another cpn many years ago that i should never bother the Samaritans, etc, with my problems as they wouldnt want to know. Thats to her, ive had many sleepless nights, convinced the Samartitans will tell me im wasting their time. I know i sound daft, but i just cant get her hurtful words out of my head after so many years.

I last saw a psychiatrist about a year ago, took my disabled dh (whom im now a full time carer to) in with me and she actually laughed at us. That is the only thing im typing here, the rest is too personal, but i was purple with rage, she basically thought it was hilarious to be caring for a disabled person.

Im not going to waste my energy making a complaint, i hope someone else will that has more strength than me. I have given up on them all now, i wont trust anyone in that profession ever again.

UKTigerlily, i beg you, if you have the time and energy, complain til you are blue in the face. Am sending you a pm.

It does feel good to have got this off my chest, but i still feel guilty and ashamed for having a mental illness, i have lung disease and im in hospital next week cos ive got suspected cancer. If only the professionals would treat my head with as much care as they do my diseased body. I dont even get any support on how to deal with my illnesses, or the worst happening.

UKTigerlily

zztopgirl wrote:

I had similar but i just try to cope alone now. I saw a cpn for a short time, by dh had a severe accident and i was the one who found him (a sight that will affect me for the rest of my life, to put it lightly), this would stress out even the sanest person. The cpn said it shouldnt bother me as the accident happened to dh and not me. I made a complaint and he denied saying it. One surefire way to send someone round the bend. I expect the ambulance staff who attended the scene all got counselling afterward. Little wife here is just expected to get on with life.

I was told by another cpn many years ago that i should never bother the Samaritans, etc, with my problems as they wouldnt want to know. Thats to her, ive had many sleepless nights, convinced the Samartitans will tell me im wasting their time. I know i sound daft, but i just cant get her hurtful words out of my head after so many years.

I last saw a psychiatrist about a year ago, took my disabled dh (whom im now a full time carer to) in with me and she actually laughed at us. That is the only thing im typing here, the rest is too personal, but i was purple with rage, she basically thought it was hilarious to be caring for a disabled person.

Im not going to waste my energy making a complaint, i hope someone else will that has more strength than me. I have given up on them all now, i wont trust anyone in that profession ever again.

UKTigerlily, i beg you, if you have the time and energy, complain til you are blue in the face. Am sending you a pm.

It does feel good to have got this off my chest, but i still feel guilty and ashamed for having a mental illness, i have lung disease and im in hospital next week cos ive got suspected cancer. If only the professionals would treat my head with as much care as they do my diseased body. I dont even get any support on how to deal with my illnesses, or the worst happening.

Thanks for the PM, i've just replied. I'm sorry to hear of your experiences, I read your PM before this post. I'm shocked & outraged that your so called Psychiatrist acted in that way, that's disgusing & i'm not suprised you feel as you do, what a terrible thing to go through. I think i'd have slapped her, I really do. Please keep in touch x

UKTigerlily

UKTigerlily wrote:

Thankyou so much i'll look into this now & let you know how I get on, it's something I knew nothing about & i'm off to look now!

No luck, but thanks for letting me know! I'm in the wrong area, the lady I spoke to said it's mainly London & the home counties. I'm in Leicestershire & she gave me the number for someone up north who may have known someone my way but no luck their either, sounds a great scheme though & just what I need! Thanks so much for letting me know about it!

Ellie2758

Sorry to say it is as bad in my area too (south east). My daughter waited nearly 6 months to see a psychologist for cbt - by which point she was neither eating or sleeping and was severely depressed. I've just heard that there is a 18 month waiting list to get onto the books of the local CAMHS and that is only if your kid is suicidal. If they're not, no chance.

I'd like to know where Nikki lives, if it's not too personal. My daughter has long-term problems and living here is not helping us at all. We want to move out of the area in a couple of years so am looking round for places that do have the services.