I was referred to a brilliant councellor about 5 years ago through the NHS, but the funding ran out for the clinic she worked at so I had to start paying £40 an hour to talk to her. I had a relapse of depression recently and it took over a month to even get assessed and when I did see someone, they were rubbish!! Anyone else found this?
2007-02-12 03:19:09 · 18 answers · asked by Princess Paradox 6 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Sure looks like him to me deepee
2007-02-12 03:30:27 · update #1
hey, really feel for you :)
i am diagnosed with bi-polar and borderline personality disorder.
for 13 years now i have been passed from department to department, been through multiple types of therapies and still getting more and more messed up by the day.
18 months ago they sent me to an intensive psychotherapist who was to work with me over a rehab period of 20 weeks. however, she deemed me too unstable to work with.
i have an 8 year old son and i refuse to let my head get so bad that it affects the way i can look after him. its very complicated, but in laymans terms,
1 - if i let my head take over my actions i'll be put into immediate priority care, but risk losing my son.
2 - ignore my head as best as i can and carry on buliding a beautuful home for my little lad, who although i am crying inside, will be able to stay with me. inside the pain is slowly killing me, but at least he has his mum.
i have given my dilemma to many professionals who i have been referred to, they all agree, yet have no answer. and so i am lost again, on a waiting list for someone else who hasnt got any real knowledge of borderline personality disorders to tell me they cant help me.
on the flip side, my mum is a community psychiatric nurse (cpn) and i can also see the system from her veiw. they are stretched to their absolute limits. the pressure on the health staff is immense and no one seems to have the time to study in specific areas.
my advice? try a forum.i can personally recommend www.counsellingresource.com its an american site but the info is up to date for the uk too. i've found great support from the other users.
good luck :)
2007-02-12 04:00:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The NHS is in crisis with its funding and have reduced so many services now. The drop ins at day centres have all gone...because the gov. wants people back in the community meaning it's difficult to get support from others going through the same.
They have raised the bar on who gets into hospital etc. I fell ill with severe depression 5 years ago and thank goodness my treatment was fine...I'd hate to think what would happen if I had a relapse now! It's really scary.
Have you approached MIND for counselling? I think they see people over the age of 25, but I'm not sure.
Even when you're assessed the help you get now is so limited unless you are deeply suicidal in which case, if you are lucky you get the crisis team visit you but only up to a period of two weeks and then not necessarily daily!
The whole system is rubbish...I totally agree with you.
2007-02-12 11:26:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutely. There are serious gaps in the NHS. I was very poorly with all sorts of issues about 18 months ago, I was really sick. But of course, doctors put me on beta blockers, then prozac - both of which did nothing. I was told I would be put on a waiting list for councelling, I was sent for an assessment and was really looking forward to having someone to talk to. She wasn't really that good, but she listened and then sent me feedback. Anyway, after all of that, I was informed the waiting list was 2 years. I was in such a state, I couldn't believe that my problems were just being swept under the carpet. I couldn't eat, I'd just sleep all day. I was able to get 8 sessions with RELATE but after 8 sessions I'd only just begun to open up doors that needed to be opened. I couldn't afford private treatment either. Thankfully, things did improve, but I felt like I was completely alone.
I hope you feel better soon, it is a disgraceful scenario. People with mental illnesses aren't taken seriously enough unless they become dangerous or go to extremes. I'm sorry it's affected you.
2007-02-12 13:28:30 · answer #3 · answered by tilly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yip,
7 years ago I was diagnosed with depression... just put on medication 6 months later my GP decided to make a referral to our local mental health department. One year later I got an appointment. I was off work for 5 years!! Being checked every 2 months by a psychiatrist and trying all the pills under the son.. with no success...
In the end it was time that was the healer and going to see a counsellor from a charitable organisation..
7 years later I just know which triggers to look out for.
Good luck to you and stay well!
2007-02-12 12:44:56 · answer #4 · answered by yeahokinalittlewhile 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! I have also had counselling for depression, but am only entitled to 3 sessions on the NHS. You are advised to take other options other than anti-depressants, but they won't fund the other therapies. Also, my teenage daughter has serious mental health issues and we are having to fight to even see a psychologist. She was referred last October and since then has become so violent that she may have to go into secure care. But still no assessment. So much for preventive action! Is it any wonder that I am depressed?
2007-02-12 11:38:35 · answer #5 · answered by flowerpot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes they are compleatly inconpitent as a trust altogether when it comes to mental health problems there are some nice people who work in that profession but there very far and few between theyre like gold dust which isn't how it should be.i m sorry you had to wait so long for your assesment i hope you find someone better in the near future who know s what they're talkig about good luck xx
2007-02-12 11:43:37 · answer #6 · answered by admitannce2america 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work for the NHS and it's hopeless. I am embarrassed by the (non) provision particularly relating to the milder mental health issues.
Is Dundee blue eyes Leo Sayer?
2007-02-12 11:27:27 · answer #7 · answered by deepee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they are generally poor with Mental Health Issues Services. Huge gaps, conflicts. A public whose needs don't get met with cross-over problems to physical health.
2007-02-12 11:35:58 · answer #8 · answered by Rob E 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes i thought mine was a waste of time and i stopped seeing them after a few sessions as it made me feel worse,in fact i just felt stupid talking to the woman,i was there because i felt suicidal at the time.Horrible thing depression
2007-02-12 17:06:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, i feel i have been let down greatly by the NHS...my GP has ignored the fact I have an Eating disorder, told me i would grow out of it! She sent me to a counsellor, who after 3 visits told me she couldnt help me because of my "flucuating moods"..so i cud basically be dead and they would have given up on me!
2007-02-12 11:39:52 · answer #10 · answered by SH2007 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋