Psychiatric assessment question please.

[hatingmyself]

Hi

I have spoken to my GP today and they've managed to get me an emergency psychiatric assessment. Can anyone tell me what this will entail? They said it would last an hour. Thanks in advance.

They will take your history, and ask about what's troubling you at the moment. They may suggest medication and/or counselling.

Thank you.

OP have you name changed from a different thread? Can we help you in any way until your assessment takes place? Good luck. It will be fine. I've had several!

I named changed to this yesterday for a different thread that I asked to be taken down so not sure if it was me or not, I was getting a bit overwhelmed!

I really think I have complex ptsd. I've looked at other possible things it could be and it's the only one that seems to fit all my long term symptoms. I am hopeful the psychiatrist has a good understanding of it as from what I've read it's a relatively new diagnosis. I just want to get well.

Thank you so much for your offer of support that is so kind x

Yes I understand what you mean. This is the only thing that's ticked almost everything, I'm more worried about being misdiagnosed, whether it's that or not, so just hoping if the person has experience with it then they'll know for definite either way so I get the correct treatment if that makes sense?

I really don't care what it is, I just want to be well and feel like I'm a normal person.

The treatment is often symptom focused rather than pure diagnosis. The psychiatrist will have experience in assessing people in distress so hope it goes ok for you.

Thank you. I just hope whatever treatment it is it allows me to unpick my past. I have sought help numerous times, tried CBT but nothing has ever worked.

Also have CPTSD - the best thing I ever did was seek private psychotherapy (trauma focused, dissociation friendly therapist with interest in complex/familial trauma). It is niche and very easy to be misdiagnosed for other conditions such as BPD. Hard to get a diagnosis of CPTSD. I did not get referred to a psychiatrist but used the GP for anti depressants, I worked in mental health services for 6 years. There is a huge need for more trauma focused treatment (long term, not CBT which is completely ineffective for an individual with childhood trauma as it does not touch the ‘root’ of the issues) from the NHS but it’s not easily accessed.

Please look into dissociative disorders and CPTSD, positive outcomes for dissociative survivors website (PODS) used to have a list of therapists who can help people like us. I wasted time and money on therapists who weren’t specialised. Had private therapy for 4 years now best thing I ever did

Best of luck to you

@Everym

Also have CPTSD - the best thing I ever did was seek private psychotherapy (trauma focused, dissociation friendly therapist with interest in complex/familial trauma). It is niche and very easy to be misdiagnosed for other conditions such as BPD. Hard to get a diagnosis of CPTSD. I did not get referred to a psychiatrist but used the GP for anti depressants, I worked in mental health services for 6 years. There is a huge need for more trauma focused treatment (long term, not CBT which is completely ineffective for an individual with childhood trauma as it does not touch the ‘root’ of the issues) from the NHS but it’s not easily accessed.

Please look into dissociative disorders and CPTSD, positive outcomes for dissociative survivors website (PODS) used to have a list of therapists who can help people like us. I wasted time and money on therapists who weren’t specialised. Had private therapy for 4 years now best thing I ever did

Best of luck to you

Thank you so much. I totally agree about CBT, I knew it would not work for that exact reason but it was all I was offered. I've also looked into the similarities with BPD and I really do not think it is that. The emotional flashbacks I have suffered this week after a big trigger have been debilitating. I'm jumping at every silly little noise.

Can I ask how much it cost for private trauma therapy? I'm glad it worked for you x

The BPD and CPTSD diagnoses seem to depend on who you are fortunate, or unfortunate, to see. More progressive psychiatrists understand the stigma around BPD and will therefore look to a CPTSD diagnosis, those who are more set in their ways will stick with BPD. The treatment paths in the NHS are largely the same, but people with CPTSD are treated with less suspicion and more compassion.

Don't worry if you don't get a diagnosis at the first appointment, neither should be diagnosed without getting to know you first.

I hope you get some support and start to feel better soon.

I pay 40 for in person and 30 over Zoom, I am in the north I imagine it’d be considerably more if in London…

Just checked and PODS does not exist any more it seems sorry about that. Counselling directory is good for finding a private therapist make sure to filter one who is trauma focused

You may also find that, with a therapist who understands you, you may not feel the need to obtain a diagnosis

Thank you both. The appointments I've looked at (in Scotland) are quoting £195! I really don't care about the actual diagnosis, I just want the correct treatment and not just to be palmed off to CBT again - it needs to be trauma based - so the only reason I really thought about a 'label' is so Ill be put in touch with the right services.

That seems extortionate!! Is that for an apt with a private psychiatrist or a psychotherapist?! Or x number of sessions? My therapy is open ended and long term

Hope you find what’s right for you and the psychiatric assessment is helpful, I would so recommend going private if it is an option for you