Is it just me...

[UnicornCentaur]

Or does the CMHT always need you to be on your arse having a crisis before they will do anything?

I have been 'well' for a month it the sense that i'm not harming/ suicidal/ staying in bed but things aren't right either. I saw a psychiatrist in the middle of my last episode and she helped but now she says to go away for 3 months and see how things go, which isn't at all helpful because i can feel things sliding and i want it stopped now before it gets worse.

Anyone got any advice??

[TheSilveryPussycat]

Do you have a written care plan? (although sometimes the psych notes count as one ) Do you have a CPN - were you offered one? If you feel you need more support, don't be afraid to ask.

[UnicornCentaur]

I don't have a written care plan but i do get copies of the letters from the CMHT to the GP. Having said that in the last letter the first paragraph talked about how i was severely depressed and self harming and the second paragraph said my mood was normal and i presented well kempt and without signs of self harm

I don't have a CPN and haven't been offered one. After i had my last crisis the psychiatrist said they didn't want to give me other medication as she thought that psychotherapy would be the best thing for me and she would see me again in 3 months. The psychotherapy helped for a while but now it's in a bit of a rut and because of work i won't have another session until May.

When i ask for more help she says i'm doing fine, which makes me a bit Part of the problem is that they aren't entirely certain what my diagnosis is but i don't understand how that is going to improve when i'm seen for 20 mins every 3 months?

[nenevomito]

Yep, you generally need to be on your arse as resources are so limited. I'm lucky enough to have a care coordinator that was assigned to me after my hospital stay.

Psychs are seemingly impossible to see though. Unless I'm in crisis, it takes weeks and weeks to get an appointment.

If you don't have a diagnosis, the least they could do would to give you a proper assessment to try and work it out.

Sorry to hear you're having a bad time. It sucks doesn't it?

[TheSilveryPussycat]

Blimey, these days managing mh issues is supposed to be done jointly with patient and HCPs. Seems this is not happening with you. Is there a drop-in, day centre, Mind, or something like that you might be able to access?

[UnicornCentaur]

I will look into it, im sure there is.

I see the psychiatrist in 2 weeks and im not.sure what to say. I have been managing lately so perhaps they think my problems aren't serious enough to need more support? They did once send me to see the dietitian because I was binge eating chocolate, she told me I was overweight and needed to stop binging and I'd.lose weight. Correct but not especially helpful! Maybe they think that any more extra help is a waste of.time because I haven't lost any weight? Or because I still drink sometimes when I'm not supposed to? Im not always. the best of patients

[purplepenguin86]

Definitely not just you!

Why is the psychotherapy so irregular? May is a really long time to wait for your next therapy session! Do you work very long hours or something?

I agree with what others have said about the limited resources - so many people aren't getting the help they need

[UnicornCentaur]

the problem is that im a uni student but spend half.my time on placement. you aren't allowed to register with a GP in 2 places so I chose to be registered at uni and was referred to the cmht there. I can have weekly counselling sessions while I love.at uni but have to manage the rest of the time. Thank god ive never needed the crisis team at home because I dont know what I would do!

Since they changed the NHS GPs can refuse to see you if you are a temporary resident (as I am at home) so even when I just needed something for a chest infection I had to go to a walk in centre and wait 2 hours

[UnicornCentaur]

stupid phone *while im at uni

[purplepenguin86]

Oh I see the problem. That is difficult. Presumably they are too far apart to travel for an appointment?

[UnicornCentaur]

it would take me 3 hours on the train to get back to uni and I travel an hour on the bus from uni to the CMHT - so its not very practical (or affordable at short notice!)

Actually I think on that side they are being very helpful, its not.an ideal situation but its just for a couple more years.

My frustration is that I only see someone when I'm ok for routine stuff or really bad and not even making sense to myself. It's obviously hard for them to see what the problem is.in that scenario and so I'm no closer to knowing how to stop things than I was a year ago

[purplepenguin86]

No, that clearly wouldn't be workable!

That is really difficult. I think the not seeing someone regularly is a result of the strain on services. There are lots of people who really should see someone regularly and just don't because of all the cuts.

It might be worth speaking to your psych about it and asking if you could be allocated a CPN or social worker. It would be good if you could have the continuity of seeing/speaking to the same person. They might say no but it could be worth a try? xxx

[purplepenguin86]

Totally didn't mean to put the unmumsnetty kisses then - I just sent a text before this and it was habit!

[TheSilveryPussycat]

I presume you have explained the problem to your CMHT - am just wondering if they could arrange something when you are on placement, by contacting 2ndary services there?

[UnicornCentaur]

thanks purple I too have the compulsive adding kisses habit!

Silvery - my last counselling session wasn't well managed because my therapist had given me an apt for the week after by mistake as she'd confused the dates of her annual leave. The plan was to have a session talking about coping over the break etc but instead we just stopped so I am a bit up in the air. I will see the psychiatrist again the day before I come home and ask again but she has previoisly said its not possible.

im worried about self fulfilling prophecy too. im going to be working 12hr days in a stressful environment and be on call overnight too (im unlikely to actually have to go in every night) so I want to be as well prepared as possible because I know things might go wrong but at the same time I don't want to end up convinced I'll fail before I even start.

My mum might be very useful though, sometimes she doesn't understand and tells me to shake a leg but I think if push came to shove any CMHT would have difficulty telling her they won't see me!

[purplepenguin86]

Clarification - is the counsellor attached to the uni, or the CMHT, or IAPT or what?

[UnicornCentaur]

CMHT.

Uni are looking at providing something in the meantime over the phone but I suppose the welfare service is more to get people.like me referred rather than to deal with me direct.

[A1980]

Does that mean I need cmht?

I haven't been able to leave the house for weeks other then to go to work where I barely do anything and am getting in trouble for doing sod all.

My back and hips hurt really badly as I don't move out of the house and lie in bed.

My teeth and skin are suffering too as I don't clean them much.

[UnicornCentaur]

im sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. an appt with a GP is always a good place.to start as they can do blood tests for things like hypothyroidism that can mimic depression and discuss whether antidepressants and/or counselling would help.

if the GP thinks a referral is necessary then they can refer you to the CMHT but it.can be a slow process IME