I am a 49yr old woman covinced I need a proper psychiatric assessment

Hi ,Thanks for reply,I too  work for NHS (30yrs) and i am so glad for my sense of humour and your candour because that's exactly where i am at !!! you couldn't make it up !!!! I have never been suicidal but told my counsellor yesterday if i wasn't listened to this time I would cause a commotion worthy of getting commited !!!!

Yes, it's a sad state of affairs, but it is what it is.  It's horrid to lie, but, personally, I think many things are worse in life than suicide.  Suffering is worse than ending it.  It's just that suicides make a very easy measure to quanify for DoH returns.  Cynical, or relaistic?

Thanks , do you know even doing this today has lifted my spirits x

I guess it's always nice to know you're not alone in this! :-)

 

Hi David , yes I'm thinking that maybe what I end up doing as I deserve a better life !! 30plus yrs of knowing it's hard being me has taken its toll but just as depression cripples me when it happens I refuse to be defined by it !! Thanks for advise 

Hi, I now feel perhaps I have been fortunate as ha ind done cbt approx 7yrs ago although excruciating I did learn to change some of my behaviour patterns and I have also practised mindfulness meditation in last 2yrs, however you have to be really strong to keep fighting at a time when u r at yr most vulnerable!!! I really wish u luck 

Oh, it's extremely difficult, ideed.  It's an ever ending struggle. I've survived a lot so I guess I will keep going.  One day at a time.

When I was younger, I had endometriosis, ovarian cysts etc. and all that played with my hormones/emotions.  We all know our own bodies and have a good idea what causes a lot.

A lot of good has been said, on differeent forums, about Omega 3 oils, so have just bought the tablets.

Sorry for your news.  What an idiot.  First, I'll use humor, with just a tiny splash of seriuosness... perhaps, next time you see your GP, you should take in a flask of your own urine (or urine/faeces - your choice), pour it over your head, then begin banging your head against a wall.  "Do you think I need an assessment now, doctor?!"

Seriously, though, I managed to skip my GP entirely.  I referred myself to our secondary care mental health services and they've assessed me, referred me to courses, and now I'm getting some 1-2-1 theray with a psychologist.  I realise services differ by region, but it might be worth looking into this approach.  

Hi , i have my sense of humour today and your reply made me lol ha ha Anyway I think i may have made a breakthrough as I was due to see occupational health doctor next week.Phone rings this am and receptionist says due to personal probs can't see dr til 13th May !!!! Well, without going into too much detail of which i behaved in a way unbecoming of my usual demeanour i am seeing psycholgist on Tues !!!! You know the really sad thing is a) Through my work,practice as a nurse and depression i really am a force to be reckoned with when i am on one.b) I can't bare inequality and i know there are so many people out there without the strenght to keep fighting a system that is hell bent on crisis management all the time and not preventative measures like multidisaplinary working.Finally, i am going away with some special friends today who will save me from drowning in the hot-tub !!!! I think ,Have a decent w/e

 

Frankly, I find your comments rude, ill-thought-through, and insulting.

What's sad, is that the NHS focuses on suicidal patients at the expense of other people who suffer terribly.  Place an 'X' in that box, "I do not get suicidal thoughts", and you can be immediately put on a different treatment pathway to someone who ticked the box.  Your depression can be "downgraded".

What's sad, is that there are many things worse than death, but suicidal patients are treated as a priority because suicides are an easy measure to collect and report to the DoH.  Reduced suicides means the NHS is doing a great job, yes?  No!  Codswallop.  

All depression should be treated seriously, and if that involves telling a "white lie", so be it.  People should not be told, "Sorry, you're not depressed enough," then get sent home with some happy pills by their GP after a ten minute chat.

I have demonstrated no lack of respect to "those of [you] who have severe and enduring mental illnesses".  None whatsoever.  To suggest so, without knowing anything about me, is judgemental, condescending, rude and insulting.  

I have suffered from mental health issues for most of my life!  I am senior manager within the NHS.  I know the rotten truth about many treatment pathways within the NHS.

My advice was frank, honest, and given to the best of my knowledge and personal experience.  Ticking that "suicidal" box opens doors and gets you treatments.  It's a sad fact, but it's true.  People should know.  If the system intends to play you, you should be able to play the system.

To suggest, Sally, that ticking that box will result in a psychiatrist prescribing drugs that turn you into "zombie" is naïve and factually incorrect.  You will, once you see a psychiatrist, be given treatment or medication appropriate to your condition.  Psychologists are not children, Sally, they are not so easily fooled!  But once a "white lie" gets you access to their advice, they can refer you to services and prescribe more appropriately than a GP or a low-level, inexperienced therapist/mental health advisor.

I have written this reply not to argue with you, but to ensure that any people suffering from depression that read this discussion understand that in many situations, a "white lie" can get you access to more help, rather than being forgotten until you get so bad you actually DO become suicidal.

Which is what could happen if people follow your wonderful advice, Sally.  

I  asked my gp to consider that my depression relates very closely to my hormones and got short shrift yes'day. Nathan has hit it spot on in my opinion "it is how it is" I have never felt suicidal but 30 plus of constant battling a feeling that everyday is harder for people with depression than for people without is a fact and debilitating and possibly not fitting into a criteria that might help me now as a number of health professionals  have asked me if I think I could be bipolar says it all really. crisis management is what the nhs is about , lacks the vision to look at more preventative measures.