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I have and am Bipolar in the last 2 years I have been i...

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Guest
Guest

I have and am Bipolar in the last 2 years I have been in a Mental health hospital I have twice, throughout this time had a CPN,visiting me regular and we built up a good repore and friendship.

Unfortunately my CPN moved on to another career,but before doing so I was asked if I wanted to continue with another CPN at the time I was on a high and I said no I was OK.But of course I was not OK,a few months later Care Manager advised to see my Doctor and ask for a referal for another CPN,a couple a months later a Pschiatrist visited me and more or less stated that suicide was just a cry for help and gave a prescription Citalopram.A PATIENT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DECIDE THAT HE IS OK ,HOWEVER THEY ARE SENDING A COUNSELLOR to deal with me I know that I am still manic and depressed.I am not attention seeking but I do know I am terrible burden to my daughter,the only conclusion I can draw from this is that Bipolar is curable and therfore they are of the opinion I am cured and that I just need counselling to corterise the end of the illness.

[i:d2ec70d9cc]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:d2ec70d9cc]

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3 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I don't think suicide bids are a cry for help - I think they are suicide bids!

    I suppose I can't generalise - I'm sure with some people it is a cry for help, but how desperate do you have to be to ask for help this way? I can't believe a medically qualified person used such a cliched and old fashioned term.

    However I know in my case it isn't a cry for help it's a chemically induced compulsion that I am constantly fighting to resist.

    I'm so angry when mental health issues are misunderstood in this way. I think the best way to explain it is that if I had a broken leg - I wouldn't be expected to run a marathon. But when my head isn't working like it should, I'm still expected to control it like anyone who isn't ill would. Pretty silly really. Why can't people look at mental health in the same way as other health issues and realise that we can't always conciously overcome something that isn't down to our own choices.

    Nobody who has suffered from depression actually wants to be depressed - believe me! But sometimes we are treated as if it's somehow deliberate. Perhaps with some it is, but if that's the case, it most definately isn't the case for all of us.

    I think you should insist on having support again as you seemed to be so much better when you did have. Perhaps it took away some of the guilt and pressure that you feel is put on your daughter otherwise.

    You know better than any doctor if your body isn't right. I never manage to get help because as you say - when you're on an up - you feel fitter than any normal person should!! I always seek help when I'm low then cancel appointments when I'm 'too' high!

    Exhausting isn't it?

    Perhaps ask your daughter if she can come with you and reinforce your need for professional support.

    xxT

  • Djin
    Djin

    Posted

    I agree with TeaTray on this one, and am similar in my experiences of seeking help then cancelling.

    Most importantly I agree that suicidal thoughts and those of self harm are chemically induced (often not helped by the way we interpret our lives when 'down') and are not to be ignored or simply belittled in such a manner.

    Within the support industryRisk is assesed on a continual bases, and with such a condition, risk of self harm or suicide remains generally low, however this can increase to medium and high dependant on symptoms/thoughts and emotions.

    I hope you decide to get a second opinion.

    Be well smile

  • markdask
    markdask

    Posted

    Hi Djin

    Teatray sounds so positive in her comments - I would take them seriously. I have a CPN who thinks Psychiatry is all tosh - pills orientated - but his personality and our monthly meetings are islands of sanity in my personal storm.

    When I was first referred to a Psych I was severely down - then some weeks before I was due to see him I was so up I phoned the Psych's receptionist to cancel my appointment - he wasn't fooled by my up and insisted on seeing me.

    I was diagnosed immediately. I feel so lucky I have a good GP and Psych.

    My Psych recognises the importance to my health of my monthly meetings with my cynical CPN - I even suggested once I didn't need the CPN any more but again my Psych insists - for which I am grateful.

    The Psych who visited you sounds like he/she is an arse - but you should have taken your care manager's advice and asked for another CPN.

    No matter - you can ask again - and keep asking cos a CPN serves an important function with bipolar.

    Stick to it Djin - demand the care you know you need.

    Mark

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