Been called for medical - not happy

Muttleythefrog

FBaby wrote: »

OP has been severely depressed since 1997 according to her (although I am not sure she is clear on the clinical definition of 'severe' depression). Surely in all this time, even in the past 2 or 3 years, she could have been referred and seen someone by now. Why wait to have to go to a medical if you are really determined to get better, which I would think you would desperate to do if it meant being unable to function with every day tasks? Surely if her GP has agreed to refer her now, she would have agreed to refer her earlier?

If we're seeing a true manifestation of the Op I'd say they have much broader problems than depression.... I have in mind what they are. But MH services are so variant and clearly oversubscribed that to be honest nothing would surprise me. I found that referrals for anything depended upon me pressing for it and nothing to do with diagnosis or any formal process. In fact what frustrated me was the apparent total lack of any clear framework... if x then y etc.... it seems very plastic... and those services can be changing as you're engaged in processes to get to them as I found out with regard getting regular CPN access.

But by their very nature many MH patients will not seek help or treatment or be pushy regarding such. People may only seek help if desperate or if convinced something can be done. I also suspect they become obvious targets for cutting corners too when it comes to proper investigation and service... who's going to believe the madman over what was agreed or said.

zoominatorone

It could also be pointed out that some people will only seek professional help if there is a benefit involved.

20+ years is an anwful long time to be languising on the sick, getting money year in year out without ever doing anyting about at least trying to get better.

earthbound_misfit

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

But MH services are so variant and clearly oversubscribed that to be honest nothing would surprise me. I found that referrals for anything depended upon me pressing for it and nothing to do with diagnosis or any formal process ...
... I also suspect they become obvious targets for cutting corners too when it comes to proper investigation and service...

So true. I have been claiming ESA for two years now and have been pushing for MH treatment slightly longer. I was actually seen by a psychotherapist after six months (amazingly short waiting time in MH land), but due to personal circumstances at the time they decided I was too upset for therapy at that time and discharged me back to the GP!! It seems there is such a strict balance of criteria for any non-drug treatments that many people won't be offered them, and sort of linger on without a chance of recovery. This is especially true for people with complex issues, perhaps involving truama or abuse, who are likely to have multiple issues/more unstable lives yet be the very people who would benefit immensely from therapy.
Anyway, I also had a CPN visit weekly for a couple of months, which stopped abruptly for some reason around the time I was randomly admitted to hospital for 3 days as a suicide risk. (It was 'randomly' because I have no idea why I was admitted that time and not others, and there was no treatment in hospital or support after discharge or further referrals). That was over a year ago. Earlier this year, my GP referred me five times to the CMHT, who just bounced the referrals back. It was only by making a complaint and the lady I spoke to being so worried she got a psychologist to call me, that I have got anything sorted out. Now I have an appt. next week to decide if I can get on the therapy waiting list again... if it's still 6 months will be seen circa. may next year...
And that's with a persistent GP, a will to survive, being fairly articulate and aware of my rights, supportive friends, and state benefits.
Although I imagine I need to be work-ready far sooner than that...

Tottyshouse

I think what seems strange however, is how mental health problems seem to cripple some people to such a degree they are unable to cope with any sort of change or employment etc, however when the status quo of life on benefits seems to be threatened they can become incredibly focussed and capable. People seem to bandy the term depression around willy nilly. Suffering from mental health issues does not prevent you from working in all instances. In my own case I have been hospitalised twice through mental health problems. I was only absent from work on those days I was in hospital. I was referred to the Community Mental Health team. I got home from work at 5pm, a lovely man used to come and give me my meds every night at 6pm and I had visits from the CPN 3-4 times a week, and nightly visits from the CAT team. My GP my CPN and psychiatrist all felt that remaining in employment was incredibly positive and to be encouraged. I am sure ten years on I would not have the life I have now if they had suggested I stay at home on benefits. I went to work severely depressed - some days I could have happily walked under a bus on my way there - but every day I got there and got through it was a huge victory. What is the alternative - sitting alone in your house for the rest of your life? Until what? some one creates a magic pill that will take all of your troubles away? It isn't going to happen. I think too many people self diagnose "depression" when what they actually are suffering from is boredom and a general dissatisfaction with their lot.

Poppie68

I too have suffered from depression, i had a full breakdown 10 years ago in total it has affected 20 years of my life. I worked all the way through this period with 6 months off following my breakdown and during this time i was proactive in getting my life on track and even though i am again on medication due to my recent disabilites making life very difficult for me again i would never think about giving up work.

mazza111

Poppie that's great but it's just not suitable for all.

After just over a year of going back and forth to the GP with the DD, we finally got a letter through that she'll have to wait another 17 weeks to see shrink.... It's not as easy as people make out, just go to the GP and all of a sudden you get help for your MH.

PippaGirl_2

Well we can't all be perfect can we, the world just aint big enough. Some people may not have the strength that others have. Some people due to their upbringing have no self-esteem and have found that trying gets you nowhere, others have bigger everyday life hurdles than others that have left them defeated, some have no family or social support, some have had terrible tragedy and trauma in their lives, we are all different and there but for the Grace of God go I.

Poppie68

mazza111 wrote: »

Poppie that's great but it's just not suitable for all.

After just over a year of going back and forth to the GP with the DD, we finally got a letter through that she'll have to wait another 17 weeks to see shrink.... It's not as easy as people make out, just go to the GP and all of a sudden you get help for your MH.

I should of been clearer, my post was in reply to the one above mine. I understand getting help is'nt easy is there not a counsellour your DD could see in the mean time. Our practice will refer to the counselling service on request, might be worth a try in the meantime.

Dunroamin

PippaGirl wrote: »

Well we can't all be perfect can we, the world just aint big enough. .

Well, that puts all those who fight their problems properly in their place!

PippaGirl_2

Dunroamin wrote: »

Well, that puts all those who fight their problems properly in their place!

You've totally missed the point! The fact is everyone with MH problems is different. Would you say to someone that is in a hospice dying of breast cancer "well my sister got through it, she fought through it and didn't give up and didn't let it win"?

There is so much ignorance about mental illness, it's so frustrating.