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Why can't I get help?

Posted , 7 users are following.

SpecialKay88
SpecialKay88

I orginially went to the Doctor with Anxiety issues, this was about 3 months ago now. The doctor refferred me to Mental Health Services, I waited a week for an initial consultation to be put on a waiting list... 6 weeks later and I am still waiting.. only to be told it could be 12-18 weeks until I get seen and there is nothing else they can do. Mean while my mental health has taken a huge down turn and I am now depressed to the point it is affecting work and my life in general. My Mum ws diagnosed with Cancer last week and I now have days I can barley get out of bed and function. The doctor can't see me for 2 weeks, I can't go to a walk in centre.. I am on a huge waiting list. I am alone. With no proper diagnosis or help to understand what is happening and how to get better. I am worried that is will continue to get worse.. I could end up losing my job, freinds, relationships. I already have no interest in doing anything but sleeping right now and I am starting to hate waking up and being this horrible version of me.

4 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Yogadatti
    Yogadatti SpecialKay88

    Posted

    You can't get help in uk.   I am desperate too...have been for a year...can't take anti depressants for medical reasons, and now am in such a state of anxiety I find it hard to get through the days.   Gp's just don't care.....the whole system in uk stinks!
  • hypercat
    hypercat SpecialKay88

    Posted

    Hi did the doctor put you on any antidepressants?   If not why not go back and ask for some as they will help in the meantime.   If you already are on them they obviously aren't helping so maybe they need to be changed.   If your situation is urgent your doctor should be able to get you a quicker appointment so ask. 

    You are lucky in your area - I waited 6 months for an assessment and a further 2 months to finally see a counsellor.   I presume you are in the UK?   Despite the huge numbers with mental health issues the NHS only allocated 13% of it's budget to it which is disgraceful.  As you have found this leads to huge delays.   x

     

    • SpecialKay88
      SpecialKay88 hypercat

      Posted

      Hello, I orginally said that I didn't want any medication as I was scared to haver to go down that route but I think that I may have to now. I have called my doctors for a telephone consultation so they will be calling back today, hopefully I can stress the urgency.

      6 months?! This is such a long time for people to suffer. I hope that your mental health is improving now.

      I just didn't realise my mental health could take such a fast down turn like this I was prepared to wait before but things have happened to change my ability to wait.

      Yes I am in the UK Mental Illness just isn't taken seriously enough here, we need huge amounts of funding but it just isn't going to happen as the NHS is already in such a great deficit. Thank you for your response x

    • hypercat
      hypercat SpecialKay88

      Posted

      You are very welcome Kay.   I have heard that in the last couple of days Cameron is pledging another 1 billion for mental health.  Apparently it costs the country 105 billion a year in lost working days. 

      There is nothing to be scared of in taking ad's.  The ones they use these days are nothing like the heavy duty ones used years.  They are a lot safer and have fewer side effects.  It doesn't mean you will get hooked on them or will be on them for life.  Just see them as an aid to help your mood until you can get counselling sorted.  Hopefully they will help you cope better until then.  

      My mental health is a lot better now thanks,  mainly due to being retired now and not having to do my last awful job which badly impacted on my depression.    x. 

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee SpecialKay88

      Posted

      Do not hesitate to take antidepressants.  Depression is a beast that can be controlled, tweeked, thanks to science. It is an organic problem that a chemical can help with.  It takes five to six weeks to begin working properly, so start now.  It can be adjusted later when you finally get seen and receive a diagnosis.  I am glad to be on mine, even though I wish I did not need them.
  • rsteinbach90
    rsteinbach90 SpecialKay88

    Posted

    I am truly sorry that the NHS priority to treat mental illness is appalling.  I have found a link that may help but I can't post links here.   The web site is nhs.uk slash conditions slash Counselling slash Pages slash Introduction dot aspx.  You may have to do what they do in the states, find counselling through private or charity means.   In the states, mental healthcare is supposed to be equal to medical healthcare but different insurance plans severely restrict access to professional counselling and/or make it unaffordable, so many rely on church based or charity based counselling services, with payment on a sliding income scale.
  • lit53944
    lit53944 SpecialKay88

    Posted

    I'm afraid mental health has always and will always be overlooked.

    Unless you have money to get private help, it's almost always down to you.

    I quit meds due to health issues and I have been on a CBT waiting list for more than a year now.

    I was seeing a therapist but she sent letters to all patients that she was 'taking some time off' and I was then told that I'd be waiting around 6 months for her to return.The issue was SHE is the only therapist in my direct area, so there were a lot of us left with any help. She was the therapist you had to go through to get legitmate help and she abandoned all of us for a long time and then I was told I'd been taking off the list for no reason.

    What I am doing (which may not be for everyone but y'know I might aswell tell you if it's something that may help).

    I have spent a long time alone and with the small family that I have and I've strictly avoided any unnecessary stress, I'm sorry your Mom is ill. Mine is too, its one of the reasons I don't think I'll move ouy of my home. 

    You have to focus on you and your loved ones. Your health begins and ends with you. It took me a long time to realise that I have to value myself and my mind to start living again. Isolation isn't always the best option for everyone but it has helped me see things clearer than I ever have before and I believe by 2017 I will be who and where I want to be.

    Good luck with everything, my thoughts are with you.

    • SpecialKay88
      SpecialKay88 lit53944

      Posted

      Thank you for your kind reply and I am glad you have found what has worked for you to make your life worth loving and living again.

      I am pushing everyone away from me, friends, family and my boyfriend.. I am not behaving like myself. I don't enjoy the things I used to love to do all I do is struggle through work then come home to sleep. I can't see past the current low moment to look forward to getting better.

      My doctor has given me a small dose of antidepressants and I have an appointment in a week to see how I am getting on with them. I don't want to rely on them though so I am hoping when CBT becomes available this will help me to take control of this illness.

      The attitude towards mental health needs to change I don't think until you or a person close to you suffers you realise how debilitating it can be. I hope that this will make me a better and more understanding person, able to look upon and appreciate life better.

      Thank you for taking the time to write back right now that means a lot when I have felt so ostracized for so long.

      I hope you are happier and on the road to recovery now, sorry also that your health service let you down.

      Kayleigh

      X

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee lit53944

      Posted

      What a great post!  Thank you for your inspiration!
  • DawnDedee
    DawnDedee SpecialKay88

    Posted

    HI SpecialKay, 

    I am in the USA, so I cannot say anything about the system in the UK, but I imagine that one thing could be the same, if you say you want to kill yourself, would you not get help immediately?  Go drastic if you have to, although please do not make an attempt upon you life, but get loud.  That old saying, "The squeeky wheel gets the oil" comes to mind.  Squeek away!  When I need something, I become politely demanding.  After all, I am part of the medical team, and in fact, the most important member of the medical team, and I will not tolerate crap.

    So sorry you are in this muddle having to wait with no help at all.  Hang in there and you always have us to vent to.  I know what wanting to sleep all the time feels like and it is awful.  I have just taken steps to stay out of bed and managed for two days now.  I have a love affiar with my bed!  I could spend the rest of my life there.  

    Hang in there, I feel for you.

  • liana01735
    liana01735 SpecialKay88

    Posted

    Go to your GP and get signed off work. They will write sick notes for you with work, they can't fire you. It is the same as if you couldn't function at work for any other medical reason. You need to take some time for yourself and get better. Just tell your GP that you can't function, you'll be suprised how understanding they will be, mine was. xx
    • hypercat
      hypercat liana01735

      Posted

      Well actually they can and do.  They don't fire you for being off sick but they do it because you are not fulfilling your contact.  Semantics maybe but it amount to the same thing.   If you have been at your job less than 2 years you don't have full rights unless they sack you for pregnancy,  race and a few others I can't remember.  They are protected by law.

      If you have been at your job over 2 years then they can still sack you but you might be able to claim unfair dismissal if the company hasn't followed Health and Safety Law,  or the work contract conditions.   x

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