Lack of NHS Mental Health Support

[backfromthewaves]

I will begin by saying that I recognise that some people may have been greatly supported by their local mental health team and that I am not ranting about all mental health professionals, however, I need to vent about what has happened to me.
I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience or what advice you would give (not looking for a diagnosis etc).

I don't want to give too much information in case of being outing. After completing a detailed initial assessment with a private clinician it looks like I have strong autistic traits (I have not pursued this so not officially diagnosed).

I requested a nhs adhd assesment which was declined as not enough evidence in childhood. I have no-one who can collaborate my childhood experiences. I believe I have ADHD traits even if not enough to be officially diagnosed and often autism and adhd will overlap.
Neurodiversity suspected
I am menopausal.
I have CPTSD (officially confirmed) from childhood.
Anxiety
Some kind of dwelling on Existentialism and the meaning of life and being purposeful (which I feel I am not). Stuck in a loop - maybe not OCD but bordering on this. I am struggling to take action to help myself.
Very dark thoughts. Not suicidal but suicide ideation which I discussed.
Likely have depression connected to all the above.
I was referred to the local mental health team by GP and spoke to a mental health nurse recently.
Outcome confirmed in a letter:
Complete an online nhs autism assessment (I said I might have difficulties with this and preferred an in person assessment).
Join a local mental health support group (I attended this previously - only two people attended and it is not run by a professional or anyone with lived experience).
Ring the samaritans - number given if I feel overwhelmed.
Take antidepressants - I have tried numerous ones over the course of time.
I am likely lacking dopamine. No antidepressant to cover this - there is one but not prescribed in the UK.

I am bewildered by the lack of care and support. Unsure of how to move forward.
Anyone?

Specialist MH service thresholds are high. It may feel that there is a lack of care and support but that’s not because most clinicians don’t care. It’s because of the way services are funded now (via commissioning) alongside increasing service demand & patient acuity, as well as issues with staffing levels (sickness & recruitment/retention) because staff are on their knees. It’s the system that’s broken. That doesn’t mean people don’t care.

You can ask for a 2nd opinion if you disagree with the outcome and if you have further information/evidence that might change the clinical decision.

What support have you had for your CPTSD?
If that hasn’t been addressed, I’d imagine that might be a helpful starting point.
It might also be worth looking at The Coventry Grid - it’s a clinical tool that helps differentiate between autism vs trauma vs both.
https://www.ndpsych.com/trauma

Thank you Funnycradock for the Reflection Tool.

EMDR for trauma - early days.
The mental health nurse who conducted my assessment had zero training in neurodivergence (they confirmed that). How can someone possibly hope to access any form of treatment if you are unable to speak to someone (like a psychiatrist) who understands what I'm trying to say in the first place.
It is a system that is broken you are correct not the individual. I understand that.
I am making some enquiries on a private basis. Could run into thousand of pounds and trying to find someone qualified seems like a minefield too.
I am anxious about future generations, there seems little support available.

It is understandable to feel frustrated when you’ve reached out for help, but the support offered doesn’t feel tailored to what you’re experiencing. I hope you’re able to access someone who can take a more holistic approach and help you move forward.

Oh dear 🤦🏻‍♀️

As someone who works within a mental health team, a standard mental health team psychiatrist will also have had very little training in neurodivergence. It’s a speciality area that is managed by a completely different team-CMHT psychiatrists can’t start ADHD medication, for example. This degree of overlap is somewhat of a new thing and the training doesn’t really match what clinicians experience day to day anymore which will have to change in the future.

Op its dire ,at various points I've tried to access help with things and waiting lists have been 18 months ??

I knew someone with severe psychiatric issues ,really bad lost hischild etc and he couldn't get any help at all for years and was homeless because of it.

Also I know my cousin said even for cahms etc the waiting lists are awful and at 18 they are just abandoned.

This is why I was so hopefull when Burnham mentioned ending homelessness but then became sceptical because he didn't really mention massive investment in getting more specialists to help with all this.

I was hoping to read about some positive experiences here.

Jennie will there be a psychiatrist in the neurodivergence team?
At any rate they seem impossible to access.

As well as feeling frustrated I feel embarrassed that this is what the UK mental health service offers. I would struggle to function in a role where I could do very little to support someone in need.

Ring the samaritans and go to a local mental health support group (where hardly anyone attends and is not professionally led). This is not enough for someone with potentially complex mental health issues. I did not find it helpful at all when I attended, it made me feel worse. The person who led it clearly did not have counselling experience and could not lead the very small group. It should not be recommended. Taking medication without therapy is unlikely to be successful.

Broken system.= broken people .

For you MHP, how would you go about accessing private treatment? What are the NHS waiting lists like to see a qualified psych?

Fatendofthewedge
How is this being allowed to happen? It feels like a sham. People within the system need to speak up. Somehow. But they can't for fear of losing their jobs. How will things change?

NHS mental support is appalling and in Camhs cases just consists of covering their backs and is actually dangerous . I had a few days experience with my ds as a teenager going though a crisis many years ago. Their procedures were actually harmful & shocking to me. I ended up checking him out of camhs and booking him in with a specialist psychiatrist . He's now totally recovered, but many won't have that option.
I personally wouldn't touch NHS psychiatry with a bargepole. And never place your child in a mental health unit. The care in those are reprehensible.

Cantonet
I'm so glad to hear your son has recovered. So many stories of bad experience.

It's frightening.
Trying to access a psychiatrist that specialises in what I need seems very difficult. I can't afford to get it wrong. I feel like I'm going around in circles.
How can this be made better?
Who is responsible for this?

I'm in a similar situation to you with similar issues. ptsd which has not formally been diagnosed yet as waiting for the first stage of that journey to begin 6 months on and no idea when I'll be seen. The GP has been supportive which I think has helped me so far but I need more than antidepressants.
referrals accepted for ASD/ADHD under right to choose but the local integrated care board has put a "pause" on funding so that's in limbo for at least a year.

There's also childhood trauma, bereavements which are all part of why I'm rock bottom.

the PTSD reared its head again last week and I was back to square one. That forced me to realise I can't carry on like this and so I've got a private psychiatric assessment in early September and I'll take it from there. I don't know how long the wait is for NHS talking therapy but I'm assuming that'll be years away. I don't feel I have that time available to me with the thoughts I'm having so time to suck it up and raid my pension fund to pay for all this. However I will at least be in control and if it's not working I can try something/someone else.

I am very sorry you are struggling. Unfortunately I think the NHS is a service on its knees, and where resource is very limited the money has to go on treating people with heart attacks, cancer etc - life threatening illnesses. Perhaps the new Labour leadership will tackle this.
I hope you are successful in accessing the right support groups, therapy and information to improve your mental patterns/ways of thinking online.

I think that's the right way to go unfortunately @CrotchetyQuaver. If you can afford private healthcare, which is a big ask for many people I know.
Working as a psychiatrist in the NHS must be a difficult job these days. Working in Camhs must be diabolical. They're so short staffed and it must be so hard and demotivating. I used to work for pharmaceutical companies many moons ago & sold several antidepressants . I loved seeing Psychiatrists. they were often very interesting people and very easy to talk to. And they all enjoyed their jobs. The situation these days is entirely different.
Thank you @backfromthewaves.
I wish you every success in solving your issues 🤞🏼
I fear NHS Psychiatry services is on it's knees.

NHS the money has to go on treating people with heart attacks, cancer etc - life threatening illnesses.

Depression kills. A lot of nhs money goes on chiropody clinics and leaflets about fruit. How is that more important?

NHS the money has to go on treating people with heart attacks, cancer etc - life threatening illnesses.
Depression kills. A lot of nhs money goes on chiropody clinics and leaflets about fruit. How is that more important?

This.