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Original poster

Is my MH social worker right?

34 replies

182blink · 05/07/2024 14:30

they are a mental health social worker. I have agoraphobia. In almost 2 years, the furthest I have managed to get from my house is 2 minutes away by taxi, when my dog needed the vet for an issue with her eye and there was no one available to take her. This took so much energy out of me that I couldn’t function anymore and needed to go to bed to lie down. my insomnia worsened and I couldn’t function the next day either. I put together a grounding bag, and arranged by the social worker, had 6 weeks with someone who would take me out in their car up the street and back again. This caused me intense fear and was also exhausting for me. I self harmed. Because I did this, my social worker says that I have “managed” to do these things using a grounding bag and using it to deny me longer term support for my agoraphobia, and that I will only be offered short term support. I’m not sure wether I should submit a complaint or ask for a new social worker or both

OP posts:
Oldcroneandthreewitches · 05/07/2024 14:35

I’m unsure what you are asking.

What support are you asking for?

GiggleMugsMandy · 05/07/2024 14:36

I would complain. If something has caused you such distress that it resulted in you self harming, then you haven’t managed to do it and you clearly need more support.

Oldcroneandthreewitches · 05/07/2024 14:37

I ask because the car trips were not working. What do you need the social worker to give you?

What kind of long term support do you need?

DancingLions · 05/07/2024 16:04

Yes, I'm not sure what support you want from them?
You sound very defeated and you have to want to get better for support to be effective.

I'm not unsympathetic. I was completely agoraphobic many years ago now. But I had young DC at the time so to me it wasn't an option to never go out. I made my own plan and started small. Initially just standing by the open front door, building up to walks, then literally popping into a shop and straight back out again and so on. If I had a bad experience, I'd go back a couple of steps in the plan and try again.

Even now I still get a bit panicky if I don't have an exit route. So always book aisle seats for things, don't like massive crowds etc. But I do go out and am mostly fine. The only support I had was the GP prescribing propranolol. But it did help. I'm not sure what other professionals could have really done for me anyway.

DracoDormiensNumquamTittilandum · 05/07/2024 16:27

The social worker is correct in that you did manage it. Managing it doesn't mean it was easy, it means you achieved it even with difficulty. What kind of support are you seeking long term? This type of intervention needs to push you to your limits in order to move your limits further.

IWillBeWaxingAnOwl · 05/07/2024 16:45

I am not clear what support social work would be offering you longer term if you are appropriately housed and not at risk. Would it be okay for you to tell us what longer term support would be?

For your agoraphobia, it sounds like you would benefit from a referral to mental health services - nowadays you should be able to access GP by phone and initial mental health sessions online via video call?

pikkumyy77 · 05/07/2024 16:56

Sounds like you could benefit from CBT. If you tried it you might need a longer, slower, course. you can get better and resume normal life. But you will have to fight hard to do it.

Boomer55 · 05/07/2024 17:06

I’m astonished that you found a cab firm to take you on a 2 minute journey…🙄

TeenLifeMum · 05/07/2024 17:09

Who walks the dog? (I’m trying to understand what you have in place in terms of support). I think it’s possible it’s positive you don’t need a mh social worker, that doesn’t mean you don’t need other support. Speak to your gp.

TeenLifeMum · 05/07/2024 17:12

Are you on medication? There’s lots of support so focus on the support that you can access and don’t worry about what you can’t.

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/your-stories/escaping-my-agoraphobia/

sarahc336 · 05/07/2024 17:35

I work in mental health and you won't get long term support op sorry to say it's not available. Near you can get is cbt but you'd need to be motivated to start to get out the house

Original poster
182blink · 05/07/2024 17:58

Boomer55 · 05/07/2024 17:06

I’m astonished that you found a cab firm to take you on a 2 minute journey…🙄

I haven’t thought out a reply for anyone else at this moment in time but why are you rolling your eyes at me for that? I explained to them I have agoraphobia and they were willing to do it. I payed same as anyone else it cost me over £12 to get there and back via taxi

OP posts:
Ohdosodoffdear · 05/07/2024 18:12

Has the SW offered everything available and now plans to discharge you perhaps?

What support do you have in RL?

Original poster
182blink · 05/07/2024 18:20

I want someone to work with me to go out long term until I feel confident enough to do it myself

OP posts:
TwattyMcFuckFace · 05/07/2024 18:22

Boomer55 · 05/07/2024 17:06

I’m astonished that you found a cab firm to take you on a 2 minute journey…🙄

Why?

Minimum journey here is £5 so it's very easy money.

AstonMartha · 05/07/2024 18:26

@182blink I’m really sorry that you are getting such a hard time.

Have you had or been offered any other treatments?

DoreenonTill8 · 05/07/2024 18:27

Well done! You've done a difficult task and while it was painful you did it! Agree with pp cbt could be helpful.

Dreamsofcruise · 05/07/2024 18:30

182blink · 05/07/2024 18:20

I want someone to work with me to go out long term until I feel confident enough to do it myself

OP sadly there is very little long term support available in mental health services and what there is tends to focus on people who require statutory services eg people who have been under particular types of sections of the mh act or forensic sections) and people who have very high risks ir needs. Having severe agoraphobia won’t place you into that category.
Also what you really needs is appropriate treatment for your condition, psychological therapy and medication rather than open ended ‘support’. Support won’t address the underlying illness and will foster dependency.
Tackling any phobia is difficult unpleasant and at times distressing- there is no easy route out.
Self harming is a separate issue in a way as this would suggest you need distress tolerance techniques- and these need to ideally be learnt before tackling the phobia as that is going to be distressing. A referral to your lical mh assessment service would be helpful.

FeelTheFeeling · 05/07/2024 18:33

Unless you have suffered with agrophobia/ extreme anxiety it is hard for people to grasp the magnitude of the problem. It's debilitating. Are you under m/ h services, other than seeing a social worker? I'm not sure all trusts offer this - but lots have support staff called ' recovery workers 'who do exactly what you are in need of. They will meet you for a couple of hours each week and work on getting you out and about, but at your own pace. I'm not sure social workers are best placed to do this, but recovery workers are as they generally have smaller case loads and are not as time limited.

Notthegodofsmallthings · 05/07/2024 18:33

You could request a care needs assessment from Social Services, they my be able to put some care and support in place for you.

Original poster
182blink · 05/07/2024 18:42

AstonMartha · 05/07/2024 18:26

@182blink I’m really sorry that you are getting such a hard time.

Have you had or been offered any other treatments?

I am being referred to a psychiatrist. I have had CBT but it made little difference, I don’t think it works for me

OP posts:
Original poster
182blink · 05/07/2024 18:45

FeelTheFeeling · 05/07/2024 18:33

Unless you have suffered with agrophobia/ extreme anxiety it is hard for people to grasp the magnitude of the problem. It's debilitating. Are you under m/ h services, other than seeing a social worker? I'm not sure all trusts offer this - but lots have support staff called ' recovery workers 'who do exactly what you are in need of. They will meet you for a couple of hours each week and work on getting you out and about, but at your own pace. I'm not sure social workers are best placed to do this, but recovery workers are as they generally have smaller case loads and are not as time limited.

Who can I ask for for this? The GP?

OP posts:
FeelTheFeeling · 05/07/2024 18:46

182blink · 05/07/2024 18:42

I am being referred to a psychiatrist. I have had CBT but it made little difference, I don’t think it works for me

Edited
Show quote history

Sorry to jump in but that's great OP, as in, the psychiatrist is the gateway to all those other services. Should you be assessed as in need which you very much appear to, you should gain access to a cpn and from there, a recovery worker. ( or whatever they call support worker in your trust).

ButtSurgery · 05/07/2024 18:48

182blink · 05/07/2024 18:20

I want someone to work with me to go out long term until I feel confident enough to do it myself

Can your SW not help you to bring in a carer or similar for this? If they aren't in a position to do it themselves?

Rather than driving to the end of the road, starting by standing or sitting at the front door etc might be a much softer introduction, no?

Oldcroneandthreewitches · 05/07/2024 18:54

182blink · 05/07/2024 18:20

I want someone to work with me to go out long term until I feel confident enough to do it myself

Ok, you didn’t put much in your OP about what you needed.

The psychiatrist is a good move.

So the social worker is saying they will take away that support? Some one to help you out of the house?

I’d definitely question this or ask for a review. It looks like there are some charities on Google for agoraphobia, could you see if they could help you get a structured plan to work on and go back to social services with it. If they see you are trying to overcome this they may be more willing to extend the support.