Flu and referral to Mental health

Yes, I see a psychiatric nurse regularly. I was referred after I had been sent to see the duty psychiatrist by my GP, just about a year ago. I have found her support very useful - this might sound odd, but in a way she's not there to get me better but just to listen, support and suggest things. It takes the pressure off me, as I don't feel that I'm failing if I say that things are still bad for me. She has been excellent at suggesting thinking about med changes, trying to push through my referral to psychology, getting appointments with psychiatrist and so on. It seemed scary at the time, but it really has helped. Feel free to ask me anything else.

hi..i was referred to a mental health worker the day after i was diagnosed. i didnt really feel like i benefited from seeing him to be honest. He said he was there to assess my situation an then refer me on to the appropriate services..which he did! but i didnt feel like i got anything from it and so went back to the doctors and he then put me on flu....i havent seen the MH guy since, even though my doctor asks me everytime ive been in if ive seen him, but the MH worker didnt tell me i had to see him again and hasnt been in touch since???

im sure some people use these MH people and find them really useful, my doctors its just pants i think....

hope this helps an i havent put you off???

x

Thanks for your reply.

Its strange how alone I feel and confused as to what is going to happen and how I will ever be the same. I am worried about what it means to see a mental health worker.

I have read most people have a CPN, so thats why I am confused as to why my doc has just referred me to the mental health worker. Will she be able to refer me for counselling or therapy?

I am scared of being honest with docs as to how bad things are, as scared I am going to end up being locked up or taken off my meds. Some days are worse than others.

Have you suffered for a long time then? This is my second episode of depression. I suffered as a teenager and now again in my 20s.

yeah, my MH worker spoke to me for around an hour, i told him about how i had been feeling, what had been going on in my life, told him everything really....he then referred me onto a specific counselling service! there are so many out there, the mental health worker will be able to direct you to the one that will be of most benefit....

one thing i would say though, is be as honest with your doctor as you can. If he doesnt know the whole story, you may not get the medication or treatment that is right for you...he wont lock you up, hes there to get you better, not have you sectioned!

i found it scary going to see the mental health worker too. i didnt tell anyone about my depression for months because i was scared of what people would think, but it all came to a head the other week when i had a total breakdown at work, and now everyone knows, an i feel so much better!! Everyone was really supportive and now i dont feel like i have to put on an act anymore, if im not okay, i dont have to act otherwise...theres always going to be some uneducated people who dont understand this illness, but the majority of people will want to be there for you so dont worry!

this forum has been brilliant at making me feel better about my condition, ive realised im not alone and whatever i feel, chances are someone else on here feels or has felt the same....

xxx

Hi Guest

If you're being offered any kind of counselling or referral to a CPN etc, count yourselves very lucky. My GP told me last week that although the medical profession knows that the most effective treatment for depression is CBT/counselling AND medication, he cannot offer me anything because he doesn't have access to such services. I knew this anyway as a good friend of mine has been trying to get support for her teenage son.

In the mid ninties, when I suffered from depression following the birth of my daughter, I had access to both a CPN and eventually a clinical psychologist. We may be getting free prescriptions this side of the Severn Bridge but obviously have a woefully inadequate support system for people such as myself who are struggling with their mental health. speaking from experience, I would day take whatever is offered to you. It can only help. I am very fortunate to have a very family and friends I can talk to. However I know some people are alone with this.

Keep talking. Most people will understand and support you.

Hi Rachel

My depression came to a head like yours, where I knew I might be depressed but I thought it would go away, until I started feeling more and more exhausted and one morning as soon as I walked into work, I had a breakdown. I just couldn't cope with the thought of having to get through another day putting on that act.

I have been honest with most of the things that I suffer with. I have a tendancy to SH, which I have mentioned but I had a bad week last week with it, and I was scared to tell my Dr, although part of me wanted to.

I find it really hard to talk about things though. But when I see my MHW, I will try and tell her everything as I really do want help for as much as possible.

I am currently signed off work and am not looking forward to going back as I still don't feel right and know I am going to have to put on that happy act- which is quite an exhausting ordeal. I have already been warned about my bad moods so it is something I am very scared of now.

I am so glad I found this site. It looks so supprtive.

x

Hi Emily'smum

I am grateful for the referral, just was confused as to what it would entail.

I have tried to look to see what help is available in my area, and on the NHS, and it looks like my Primary Care Trust doesn't offer pyscologists in my area so will have to talk to my Dr to find out what is on offer.

I am aware that there tends to be a waiting list for services and my Dr has said that a combination of treatment does work better and has said I should have counselling. So I am hoping that I will get some access.

Sorry you can't get access in your area.

Hi Guest

I wish you all the very best with your counselling. Let us know how it goes.I'm doing ok at the moment and don't particularly feel the need to talk to anyone. That's not to say I wouldn't if offered it because I'll do anything to get well again. Take care :D

Hi guest...

just wanted to reassure you about going back to work! i went back to work for the first time on sat, an i left a post on here on friday saying how scared i was about it....

but like anything, it wasnt anywhere near as bad as i thought it would be! my boss was v understanding, letting me have a break whenever i choose, an everyone else was more concerned about me than anything..i was at work, sat an sun this weekend and cant tell you how good it felt to not have anything to hide! i dont have to hide behind excuses whenever im fed up now (which after a 13 hour shift on sat, i definetly was) its def best to not hide this, its an illness like any other and its nothing to be ashamed of!!!

i know ive rambled, but i know how you must be feeling about going back to work and wanted to let you know, ive been there an it wasnt as bad as i thought it would be...

xxx

A couple fo years ago my mum went through a bout of depression and was recommended to the county MH services.

Well, she waited........ and waited........and waited..........

Eventually, after about a year she received a letter asking if she still wanted to see someone.

In that time, if she had been really bad she could easily have SH'd. It was almost as if they were waiting for her to top herself and keep the waiting list down!

My Dr hasn't recommended any kind of therapy for me. I think she is waiting to see if the Flu plus changes in my life in general will help.

I guess it could help that I can put my depression down to a specific series of experiences rather than a general overload???

Lelly xx