Bipolar and getting help (again)
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I realise this thread might not get a lot of responses, and obviously it can't refer to "medical advice" but if anyone can offer any other advice from being in this situation it would really help.
Short history. Had Mh problems since 11, was diagnosed with Bipolar following a breakdown in 2009, was under care of mental health team and psychiatrist/cpn up until 2012. Got discharged to GP then and since then have pretty much been on my own. I was fairly stable on medication and after 3 1/2 years on ESA returned to work part time in 2013.
Basically i am really struggling right now. I feel like for the last few years i;ve had very little support in dealing with my bipolar. As soon as they found meds that kept me relatively stable (read: not suicidal everyday) i lost my psychiatrist and was just under the care of my GP. My old GP was pretty supportive and helped get me reasonable adjustments at work, but i moved house and had to register at a new GP. Have only seen this GP once. I went because i needed medication and there was also a lot more i needed to discuss but the appointment was very short and she basically told me to come back in 6 months. Ive had issues with my medication for years, the side effects from one include weight gain thats becoming a serious issue, and the side effects from my anti depressant are so bad i can no longer tolerate them, yet everytime ive asked about them before ive been fobbed off.
What i want to know is, if anyone else here has bipolar, what care would you expect? Should i be under a psychiatrist still? Or being monitored by the MH team? I want to ask to be referred back to the MH team but the only reason i was ever referred in the first place was due to the fact id just attempted suicide. I currently feel like unless i do the same again i have no chance of getting any help
Can anyone advise me on how best to approach my GP to ask for more support? If i knew that people with bipolar should be under the care of a psych/mh team etc i fel it would help to know that.
Sorry if ive rambled too much, i'm just in a very bad place right now and not sure how to proceed.
Short history. Had Mh problems since 11, was diagnosed with Bipolar following a breakdown in 2009, was under care of mental health team and psychiatrist/cpn up until 2012. Got discharged to GP then and since then have pretty much been on my own. I was fairly stable on medication and after 3 1/2 years on ESA returned to work part time in 2013.
Basically i am really struggling right now. I feel like for the last few years i;ve had very little support in dealing with my bipolar. As soon as they found meds that kept me relatively stable (read: not suicidal everyday) i lost my psychiatrist and was just under the care of my GP. My old GP was pretty supportive and helped get me reasonable adjustments at work, but i moved house and had to register at a new GP. Have only seen this GP once. I went because i needed medication and there was also a lot more i needed to discuss but the appointment was very short and she basically told me to come back in 6 months. Ive had issues with my medication for years, the side effects from one include weight gain thats becoming a serious issue, and the side effects from my anti depressant are so bad i can no longer tolerate them, yet everytime ive asked about them before ive been fobbed off.
What i want to know is, if anyone else here has bipolar, what care would you expect? Should i be under a psychiatrist still? Or being monitored by the MH team? I want to ask to be referred back to the MH team but the only reason i was ever referred in the first place was due to the fact id just attempted suicide. I currently feel like unless i do the same again i have no chance of getting any help
Can anyone advise me on how best to approach my GP to ask for more support? If i knew that people with bipolar should be under the care of a psych/mh team etc i fel it would help to know that.Sorry if ive rambled too much, i'm just in a very bad place right now and not sure how to proceed.
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Can't offer any specific help, MU. But you have done so well before. Probably have to persist with your GP.Member #14 of SKI-ers club
Words, words, they're all we have to go by!.
(Pity they are mangled by this autocorrect!)0 -
I can't offer you anything but good wishes, I'm afraid, but might either of these two organisations be able to help in any way?
http://bipolarsupport.org/
https://www.bipolaruk.org/find-a-support-group0 -
Hi messed..I'm on the bipolar spectrum.. You are entitled to see a psyc, and also ask for an assessment for MH support.. I know a lot of bi polar peeps, as I used to go to the bi polar local group and it was a mixed bunch.. some were high functioning, stable on meds with no support and some had CPNs.. It has a helpline to call for support and also to find out about treatment options.. It might be worth seeing if there is a local support group in your area.. The one I used to go to was great.. it's always good to talk with people with the same condition as you, and they had good funding for workshops such as food and mood, and complimentary therapy talks.. The link is here: http://www.bipolaruk.org/
Mental health teams are usually split into 2 groups.. one for complex MH and the other for depression, anxiety etc, but I think people with bipolar are usually classed in the more complex, long term and severe MH.. In my town, they are called Well Being and ATS, but they used to be called Access and Recovery teams.Many thanks to all who contribute on MSE
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Hi messed.. You are entitled to see a psyc, and also ask for an assessment for MH support.. I know a lot of bi polar peeps, as I used to go to the bi polar local group and it was a mixed bunch.. some were high functioning, stable on meds with no support and some had CPNs.. It has a helpline to call for support and also to find out about treatment options.. It might be worth seeing if there is a local support group in your area.. The one I used to go to was great.. it's always good to talk with people with the same condition as you, and they had good funding for workshops such as food and mood, and complimentary therapy talks.. The link is here: http://www.bipolaruk.org/
Here's the list of support groups.. there are a lot! : 1. Darwen Support Group
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2. Warrington Support Group
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3. Blackburn Support Group
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4. Worcester Support Group
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5. Stoke (North Staffs) Support Group
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6. Hereford Support Group
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7. Coventry Support Group
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8. Birmingham Support Group
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9. Pontypridd Support Group
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10. Brecon Support Group
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11. Cwmbran Support Group
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12. Wrexham Support Group
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13. Tenby Support Group
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14. Swansea Support Group
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15. Dolgellau Support Group
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16. Carmarthen Support Group
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17. Bridgend Support Group
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18. Ystradgynlais Support Group
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19. Abergele Support Group
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20. Plymouth Support Group
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21. Wells Support Group
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22. East Bournemouth Support Group
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23. Swindon Support Group
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24. Taunton Support Group
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25. Exmouth Support Group
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26. Yeovil Support Group
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27. Weston-Super-Mare Support Group
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28. Penzance Support Group
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29. Torbay Support Group
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30. Newquay Support Group
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31. Liskeard Support Group
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32. Dorchester Support Group
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33. Bristol Support Group
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34. Bournemouth and Poole Support Group
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35. Bath Support Group
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36. Reading Support Group
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37. Farnham Support Group
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38. Redhill Support Group
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39. Portsmouth Support Group
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40. Horsham Support Group
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41. Harlow Support Group
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42. Lewes Support Group
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43. High Wycombe Support Group
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44. Worthing Support Group
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45. St Albans Support Group
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46. Tunbridge Wells Support Group
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47. Southampton Support Group
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48. Slough Support Group
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49. Oxford Support Group
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50. Maldon Support Group
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51. Maidstone Support Group
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52. Hastings Support Group
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53. Guildford Support Group
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54. Canterbury Support Group
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55. Brighton and Hove Support Group
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56. Andover Support Group
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57. Carnforth Support Group
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58. Tameside Support Group
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59. Penrith Support Group
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60. Liverpool Support Group
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61. Glossop Support Group
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62. Wirral Support Group
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63. Wigan Support Group
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64. Whitehaven Support Group
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65. Southport Support Group
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66. South Cheshire Support Group
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67. Manchester Support Group
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68. Stockport Support Group
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69. Fleetwood Support Group
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70. Carlisle Support Group
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71. Airedale Support Group
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72. Wansbeck Support Group
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73. Harrogate Support Group
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74. Tynedale Support Group
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75. Sunderland Support Group
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76. Sheffield Support Group
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77. North Tyneside Support Group
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78. Newcastle Support Group
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79. Leeds West Support Group
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80. Leeds Garforth Support Group
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81. Hull Support Group
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82. Darlington Support Group
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83. Cheltenham Support Group
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84. Lichfield Support Group
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85. Kettering Support Group
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86. Market Harborough Support Group
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87. Wigston Support Group
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88. Nottingham Support Group
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89. Northampton Support Group
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90. Lincoln Support Group
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91. Leicester Support Group
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92. Hinckley Support Group
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93. Chesterfield Support Group
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94. Burton upon Trent Support Group
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95. Great Yarmouth Support Group
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96. Kings Lynn Support Group
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97. Norwich Support Group
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98. Ipswich Support Group
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99. Southend Support Group
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100. North Walsham Support Group
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101. Huntingdon Support Group
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102. Cambridge Support Group
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103. Bury St Edmunds Support Group
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104. Watford Support Group
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105. Middlesbrough Support Group
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106. Stockton Support Group
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107. Blackpool Support Group
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108. Milton Keynes Support Group
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109. Seaford Support Group
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110. Rugby Support Group
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111. Crawley Support Group
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112. Bedford Support Group
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113. Coleraine Support Group
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114. Belfast Support Group
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115. Bromley Support Group
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116. Borough Support Group
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117. Waltham Forest Support Group
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118. Twickenham Support Group
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119. Sutton Support Group
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120. Kingston Support Group
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121. Harrow Support Group
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122. Croydon Support Group
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123. Camden Support Group
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124. Central London Support Group
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125. West London Youth Group
1. Darwen Support Group
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2. Warrington Support Group
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3. Blackburn Support Group
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4. Worcester Support Group
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5. Stoke (North Staffs) Support Group
Read more
6. Hereford Support Group
Read more
7. Coventry Support Group
Read more
8. Birmingham Support Group
Read more
9. Pontypridd Support Group
Read more
10. Brecon Support Group
Read more
11. Cwmbran Support Group
Read more
12. Wrexham Support Group
Read more
13. Tenby Support Group
Read more
14. Swansea Support Group
Read more
15. Dolgellau Support Group
Read more
16. Carmarthen Support Group
Read more
17. Bridgend Support Group
Read more
18. Ystradgynlais Support Group
Read more
19. Abergele Support Group
Read more
20. Plymouth Support Group
Read more
21. Wells Support Group
Read more
22. East Bournemouth Support Group
Read more
23. Swindon Support Group
Read more
24. Taunton Support Group
Read more
25. Exmouth Support Group
Read more
26. Yeovil Support Group
Read more
27. Weston-Super-Mare Support Group
Read more
28. Penzance Support Group
Read more
29. Torbay Support Group
Read more
30. Newquay Support Group
Read more
31. Liskeard Support Group
Read more
32. Dorchester Support Group
Read more
33. Bristol Support Group
Read more
34. Bournemouth and Poole Support Group
Read more
35. Bath Support Group
Read more
36. Reading Support Group
Read more
37. Farnham Support Group
Read more
38. Redhill Support Group
Read more
39. Portsmouth Support Group
Read more
40. Horsham Support Group
Read more
41. Harlow Support Group
Read more
42. Lewes Support Group
Read more
43. High Wycombe Support Group
Read more
44. Worthing Support Group
Read more
45. St Albans Support Group
Read more
46. Tunbridge Wells Support Group
Read more
47. Southampton Support Group
Read more
48. Slough Support Group
Read more
49. Oxford Support Group
Read more
50. Maldon Support Group
Read more
51. Maidstone Support Group
Read more
52. Hastings Support Group
Read more
53. Guildford Support Group
Read more
54. Canterbury Support Group
Read more
55. Brighton and Hove Support Group
Read more
56. Andover Support Group
Read more
57. Carnforth Support Group
Read more
58. Tameside Support Group
Read more
59. Penrith Support Group
Read more
60. Liverpool Support Group
Read more
61. Glossop Support Group
Read more
62. Wirral Support Group
Read more
63. Wigan Support Group
Read more
64. Whitehaven Support Group
Read more
65. Southport Support Group
Read more
66. South Cheshire Support Group
Read more
67. Manchester Support Group
Read more
68. Stockport Support Group
Read more
69. Fleetwood Support Group
Read more
70. Carlisle Support Group
Read more
71. Airedale Support Group
Read more
72. Wansbeck Support Group
Read more
73. Harrogate Support Group
Read more
74. Tynedale Support Group
Read more
75. Sunderland Support Group
Read more
76. Sheffield Support Group
Read more
77. North Tyneside Support Group
Read more
78. Newcastle Support Group
Read more
79. Leeds West Support Group
Read more
80. Leeds Garforth Support Group
Read more
81. Hull Support Group
Read more
82. Darlington Support Group
Read more
83. Cheltenham Support Group
Read more
84. Lichfield Support Group
Read more
85. Kettering Support Group
Read more
86. Market Harborough Support Group
Read more
87. Wigston Support Group
Read more
88. Nottingham Support Group
Read more
89. Northampton Support Group
Read more
90. Lincoln Support Group
Read more
91. Leicester Support Group
Read more
92. Hinckley Support Group
Read more
93. Chesterfield Support Group
Read more
94. Burton upon Trent Support Group
Read more
95. Great Yarmouth Support Group
Read more
96. Kings Lynn Support Group
Read more
97. Norwich Support Group
Read more
98. Ipswich Support Group
Read more
99. Southend Support Group
Read more
100. North Walsham Support Group
Read more
101. Huntingdon Support Group
Read more
102. Cambridge Support Group
Read more
103. Bury St Edmunds Support Group
Read more
104. Watford Support Group
Read more
105. Middlesbrough Support Group
Read more
106. Stockton Support Group
Read more
107. Blackpool Support Group
Read more
108. Milton Keynes Support Group
Read more
109. Seaford Support Group
Read more
110. Rugby Support Group
Read more
111. Crawley Support Group
Read more
112. Bedford Support Group
Read more
113. Coleraine Support Group
Read more
114. Belfast Support Group
Read more
115. Bromley Support Group
Read more
116. Borough Support Group
Read more
117. Waltham Forest Support Group
Read more
118. Twickenham Support Group
Read more
119. Sutton Support Group
Read more
120. Kingston Support Group
Read more
121. Harrow Support Group
Read more
122. Croydon Support Group
Read more
123. Camden Support Group
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124. Central London Support Group
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125. West London Youth Group
Find out about our West London Youth Group for young people aged 18-25
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126. Cardiff Youth Group
Find out about our Cardiff Youth Group for young people aged 18-25
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127. Bristol Youth Group
Find out about our Bristol Youth Group for young people aged 18-25
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128. Manchester Youth Group
Find out about our Manchester Youth Group for young people aged 18-25
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129. Birmingham Youth Group
Find out about our Birmingham Youth Group for young people aged 18-25
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130. South London Youth Group
Find out about our South London Youth Group for young people aged 18-25
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131. North London Youth Group
Find out about North London Youth Group for young people aged 18-25
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132. Central London Youth Group
Find out about Central London Youth Group for young people aged 18-25
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133. Cardiff Support Group
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Looking for groups in Scotland? Visit https://www.bipolarscotland.org.uk
Mental health teams are usually split into 2 groups.. one for complex MH and the other for depression, anxiety etc, but I think people with bipolar are usually classed in the more complex, long term and severe MH.. In my town, they are called Well Being and ATS, but they used to be called Access and Recovery teams.Many thanks to all who contribute on MSE0 -
Hi MU I don't know if you remember me from the other thread but I just noticed this thread . I have no first hand experience of Bipolar but have witnessed how it affects others I know . I support my daughter who has BPD so understand how difficult it is now to access the right help for serious conditions . We are lucky to have been with the same practise for longer than my daughter has been alive with only one now retired doctor and one equally good young replacement . I wish this was available for all who need it but it appears pretty thin on the ground now . We still have battles to fight outside the surgery but over many years have learnt the skills and have the knowledge to get the needed result .
You have to try to get your Doctor onside , even a letter summing up your history will be useful to have - I know you've only seen her once but she can and should access your history which will give you something to proceed with .
You need to find some help to help you fight for the correct care and the evidence for DWP too . Home assessment is the best option I don't know if you have enough time to arrange it now but the GP needs to write to confirm your need .
Faerie has given you a lot of links and very well placed to guide you . I wish I lived nearer to you but please see if you can find someone who can do this with you .
Have a gentle Hug x
Polly
Hi Faerie , hug for you too .
pollyIt is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.
There but for fortune go you and I.0 -
Hey xx I don't know if people *should* be with a Psychiatrist, but I do think you need to go back to your GP (see a different one in the practice if any aren't understanding & helpful) and ask to be referred back to the CMHT. I've got Bipolar & BPD and am under the CMHT and see a Psychiatrist but have no general, day to day help since my CPN stopped.
There is a helpline run by The Richmond Fellowship but i'm not sure if it's nationwide or not
I'd go to the GP and say you know when you need more help, and feel you need the CMHT's support, good luck x0 -
Hi Polly:wave: Many thanks to all who contribute on MSE0
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hank you for your replies and advice, i'm going to look into a support group (seems there is one in my area), and see my GP as soon as i can to ask for more support. I've made my manager at work aware of the fact i'm not well right now, and she arranged for me to have a weeks holiday to clear my head so i can try and avoid being off sick. She also gave me the number for an employee assiatnce helpline i can call. I think i'm just really struggling with the fact i'm relapsing right now. With this illness when you get a period of stability its easy to forget you're never far from the risk of relapse.
Thank you for the advice though, i really do appreciate it all 0 -
That's great that you've got an understanding boss.. I know what you mean about relapses, especially with bi polar.Many thanks to all who contribute on MSE0
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Can you self refer back to the community mental health team?
I would get in touch with MIND and ask for their input, take someone supportive and get down the GP office. Tell them you're in danger of coming off your meds and you want help to switch to a new drug as the ones your on are unacceptable and tell them why that is.
Ask to see a psychiatrist again but bear in mind you will be at the back of s long queue so make sure the GP backs you up in the mean time.0
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