Community mental health appointment

[Alwaystheoddoneout]

I got bad anxiety last after something happened. For months now I've been asking my GP for help with coming off medication but she's so unhelpful. Eventually I saw someone else at the GP surgery, a type of pharmacist who also does consultations. She referred me for a community mental health appointment. In a way I'm annoyed as I just wanted my GP to help in the first place. On the other hand at least I get to see someone else.

A couple of days ago I got a missed call, then a text message asking me to phone this number to discuss how they could help me. They just used the phrase 'your health and wellbeing' and seemed to avoid using the words mental health. I actually had to Google the phone number to check.

What happens when I phone them? What happens at an appointment? I'm really worried about it. I don't really want to see a psychiatrist. Ideally I'd like to have one or two appointments with someone to discuss medication and then be on my way. I don't want to be assigned a social worker, or have a mental health team keeping an eye on me. I'm not sure if I can trust anyone as I know these people aren't always nice.

Also I noticed in my medical notes she'd written that I was dressed appropriately for the weather. Clearly people judge you on these things, so I'd appreciate some advice on what to wear. I know it shouldn't matter but evidently it does. If I look a mess they'll get ideas from that, and if I look too smart they'll say nothing's wrong. You can't win.

Can anyone help? I don't know what to think.

Please help

I have had a small amount of experience with community MH team and they seem very friendly and supportive, also you don't have to see them, they cannot force you to, but it's worth a go as they may be able to help you.

The clothes thing I think they are just looking to see that someone isn't wearing something wildly inappropriate as it may suggest they are having a big struggle to function and may have lost capacity, so they'd be worried if you turned up in shirts, a vest and flip flops (assuming you are in the UK) but a whole range of other stuff would be fine, from smart trousers boots jumper through jeans and uggs through joggers and leggings and wellies trainers etc. I guess if you'd clearly not washed the clothes for months and theyw ere torn etc that may also be a concern for them.

Honestly they are there to help not judge, please try not to worry.

Could you google your local community mh services and see if there is any patient info? They may work slightly differently in different areas.

I never worked for a CMHT but I used to work in inpatient mental health I expect it will.just be initially an assessment to see what if any help they can offer you ,it will just be a chat about what's going on ,you probably won't see a Psychiatrist and yes they are not judging you on your attire ,but if you were wearing something massively inappropriate for the weather it might be a cause concern

Honestly they are not judging you and you mustn't feel scared or ashamed. Let us know how you get on, hope it is helpful.

Thanks.

When is your meeting? I'll be sending good vibes x

I haven't phoned them yet so I don't know yet.

Hi OP, they are likely to be lovely. They'll want an idea of what you're looking for from them and if they are able to help with that. If they feel that your GP is the best person to help you then they will tell your GP that. Good luck.

I don't think you should stop medication when you're this anxious about a CMH initial meeting....

@LemonPrism I don't know what to expect because I've never been to one before. Is very different to my everyday life.

You'll have a consultation, quite detailed. They'll ask you lots of questions then write a report to your doctor with a copy to you They do comment on appearance such as: "She was casually dressed and well kempt", it is relevant because being unbelievably scruffy might be a sign of depression.

At the end of the consultation they'll suggest trying a medication and give you a prescription with a further appointment for check up, maybe in a month. You'll be given a number to ring if you have sort of crisis or bad side effects.

hello, i have sent you a private message because my reply would have taken up half your post.

I hope it jelps and I wish you every success.

*helps

I phoned them. They do a telephone appointment first so a telephone appointment has been booked for later this week.

Then based on the outcome of the telephone appointment they decide what to do next.

They said of they need to see you in person, they either ask you to come in for an appointment or they can visit you at home. I don't want people visiting me at home. Please tell me they're not going to suddenly turn up at my house.

I don't really want to see a psychiatrist. Ideally I'd like to have one or two appointments with someone to discuss medication and then be on my way

if you want to discuss medicines then you need someone medically qualified. That's a GP or psychiatrist. Who were you hoping to see that would not be a psychiatrist but would be able to discuss medicines with any degree of knowledge?

They won't turn up without an appointment.

OP, did you receive my private message?

I had my phone call this morning with a mental health nurse. She said it sounds like I've become dependent on propranolol, so I'll be referred to a psychiatrist to discuss the medication problem.

What really upset me was that she said I'm 'unique' because she's never heard of anyone becoming dependent on it before, and she's been working as a mental health nurse for ten years. I'm so tired of people saying I'm unique or unusual or a bit different or whatever. Every time I have a problem or a medical problem I'm constantly told how unusual I am. I'm sick of it. I'm such an average person, lots of people see doctors or have mental health problems and apparently I can't even do that properly. I'm sick of being told it's not addictive. It is.

She didn't know how long I'll have to wait for the appointment but probably at least a few months. What's really upsetting is that she didn't know how long I'd have to wait to even receive a letter. I've been in this situation before with other things where I've had to wait three months just to receive an appointment letter. I know the NHS don't have all the resources they need but I don't think it's fair to make people wait months just for a letter.