Would you say there’s sometimes an issue around mental health conditions and getting help?

[PlantYourAlans]

Sorry, couldn’t really find the words to word my title properly! What I mean is, do you think that if you have a mental health issue or history, it can sometimes be difficult to get proper help and investigations if you’re physically unwell.

I have recently starting hearing things again, symptoms of psychosis that I’ll now have to report to my GP. Think I probably need medication before it gets worse. Thankfully I’ve never been too bad with it but it needs treatment to sensibly look after myself.

So of course, if anything’s physically wrong going forward, my MH history is scrutinised and in my experience, physical symptoms pushed to the side.

The last time I had psychosis was a very difficult time. But I ‘presented’ well in person. Despite this, physical symptoms were ignored on two accounts - Once with appendicitis and second with joint pain later on. It was a fight to get somewhere with both. The first was very serious and could’ve resulted in my death, if we’re being completely honest. Appendicitis kills.

I’m now worried of reporting things to my GP for these reasons. It seems to follow you around like a bad smell when you’re involved with medical teams. Especially difficult not to mention easily (even if not significant), if you’re on medication - Drugs for MH issues are obvious.

Is this just a poor experience of mine or have you also witnessed this?

I’m sorry you’re going through this OP.

I’ve witnessed it too, I suffer with health anxiety, and have a Dr/medical staff phobia, finally plucked up the courage to see my GP, who told me I wasn’t ill enough for any help, and sent me on my way.

My teenager suffered a breakdown a few weeks back and was suicidal, attended A&E (111 told us to go there) kept in overnight, saw icamhs who referred for CBT, went for her first appointment with camhs 10 days after discharge from hospital, and was told the waiting list was too long, and because she’d turn 17 before any action would be taken, that they won’t be referring her and discharged her. They also refused to recommend a private mental health service, and told me to contact a local charity if I felt the need, but they’d have a long waiting list too, he also told my daughter not to attend hospital in future, and to try and wait until the next day before seeking medical assistance.

So in my opinion, the system is a joke.

Not personally but my mum had a long history of mental illness and when she later developed chronic pain and nothing really worked for it, i feel she wasn't really taken seriously and that the Drs thought it was all in her mind and that her mental health issues meant she just couldn't cope with pain or was exaggerating it.

Yes. This is true in my experience.

I’ve had problems with my liver function I also have bipolar and some anxiety not health anxiety and if anything try to avoid the gp atall costs I take antipsychotics at a high dose which are Extremely damaging to the liver I was having very obvious liver symptoms I rang the gp explained my history they’ve got the scans and blood tests that show the state of my liver he told me he thought I had anxiety I thankfully managed to speak to a different gp who sent me for a simple blood test that showed my liver function had seriously declined. I really should have complained but was too unwell.

yes, sometimes my physical health hasn't been taken seriously, mostly though has been pretty good and referred for tests etc. In terms of getting help for mental health also commonly that can be a battle and doesn't happen until someone deteriorates.

Sass I’m frustrated and entry on your behalf. Argh, honestly.

Baby Yes, that’s something I’ve seen people write and speak about a lot. So much so that I don’t even think of who or where it was said anymore, I just know a LOT of people with MH issues report the same experience - Doctors holding back investigations or not taking things too seriously as they’re thinking it’s MH related and couldn’t possibly be anything else

I feel for you. I have discovered if you have a teenage suffering with mental health issues then you are very much on your own and treated like a huge inconvenience. I have worked tirelessly trying to get help for my son and felt l was banging my head against a brick wall. I have worked really hard to get him to where he is now, which thankfully is a much better place but it's taken its toll on me. Trying to hold down a job, try and keep family life to some kind of normal, keep all plates spinning as well as trying to deal with something you feel very much of your depth, completely on your own is bloody exhausting.
So yes, l feel your pain.

Moon Sorry you’re struggling. My DS is only 3.5 but he’s autistic and really disabled by it. I’m currently fighting to get him into a special needs school