To ask if social services will become involved if I admit to the GP how depressed I am.

[Lifeondownload]

Opinions from social workers or GPs especially welcome.

I have been going to the GP for years with other conditions and mentioning anxiety but not really being honest.

I'm a single Mum to two teens under 16 and really actually struggling.

I've had a hell of a time growing up in a family where both parents were very depressed as a result of my sisters death, then into an awful abusive marriage, masses of ill health including a traumatic birth, surgery while pregnant and an emergency hysterectomy very very young without any counselling.

I'm now on my own with two teens, one of whom has learning difficulties and is hard work. He constantly wants attention, hates being left alone even if a different room and is very full on.
I have joint problems, pernicious anemia, folate deficiency and Vit D deficiency and my eye sight is going.

I'm really really struggling, I can't sleep, I am not eating properly, if I see something or hear something I end up googling for hours and days.
I think I've for ocd and I'm wondering if it was possible I had PTS.

I'm struggling mentally but not suicidal but I really need help and I'm scared.

Firstly, OP I'm so sorry you've had to go through all this.

Secondly, it sounds like you really do need to see your GP for help. Social Services sound like a scary word but they are there to help and assist if they can but they cannot force you to do anything. I'm not a GP but I work in the ambulance service and we often go to calls for people with MH who have children. If we think there is a safeguarding issue for an adult then we have to get permission to report it (unless the patient lacks capacity), not so with children but it depends on whether we think that the children are at risk of neglect etc.

Please don't be put off from getting help - that is what it is there for and it sounds like you've done a lot to keep things together and shouldn't have to carry on alone.

I hope this helps.

I suffer from major depression (managed with drugs) and have never had SS involvement. Actually I tell a lie, when I had twins because of my history and because it was a multiple birth I had a referral to perinatal mental health and that was cc’d to SS. SS sent a letter saying they had noted that but would take no further action unless further concerns were raised by the people involved Day to Day. That was it.

Obviously I can’t say for sure. But I suspect that if that’s the level of involvement for me with 3 children under 5 in the house there would be very little concern about someone with teens. Unless your teens school are also raising concerns I would be amazed if it triggered a referral tbh. I have also worked on projects in SS myself before and in my experience there it wouldn’t have triggered anything either.

I am not a GP or SS but... from what you've said I do think being honest with GP would be a good idea. You might find some MH support would make life easier, maybe medication or counselling to help you deal with the past traumas and present anxiety on top of your physical issues..

As for SS - also from what you have said, I don't expect that the GP would refer to SS without your agreement. The thing is, SS are often gatekeepers to useful services and support for children with learning difficulties and their families - like playschemes for younger children, befrienders for older ones, a bit of respite, etc. Things that would help your DS and give you more breaks to recover your mental and physical strength. But these services are often very over subscribed, so families don't get offered unless they are really struggling. If families seem to be cheerfully getting by then they don't get help. So it might be useful if you said how badly you are struggling just now and asked the GP to refer you, or if you called SS yourself with the GP's support, because given how bad things have got that might bump you up the list for getting more useful support for your DS, which could also make life a bit easier for you. But as I say, I don't think the GP would refer you unless you decided you wanted that.

Are your deficiencies being properly managed? That alone can cause depression and anxiety

The point of Social Services is genuinely to provide help. They don't mean to be a bogeyman, they don't want to be. They want to enable the best outcome for families - which would be helping you feel more in control. Please talk to your GP, as they should want this too. Very best wishes to you.

I'm on b12 injections, vit D3 tablets, vit b tablets and folic acid. Plus Naproxen and losec (sp?)

I work in a CMHT and we only make referrals to children's services if we feel children are at risk. None of what you have said would make me feel yours were. Your situation sounds really tough and getting the right help is important so you can continue to care for your children and have a decent quality of life yourself. Go to your GP.

Thanks you.

Would asking for help from Social Services be a bad thing?

You will not be referred to SS for admitting to your gp that you aren’t well.

I am a social worker. Your G.P may ask questions around support you have. As previous posters have suggested SS are there to offer support if needed. If a referral is made then someone will come out and make an assessment under section 17 of children act to see if you need support and services. This is voluntary and you can refuse but I would recommend that if this happens you do engage as we often can link you to support. It doesn't mean you will have a social worker until children get to 18. Happy fir you to PM me.

I'm a social worker.

On the basis of what you of written alone, it's highly unlikely you will be referred to social services unless you want to be.

Blastomama

No it would not be but I would be terrified that exh would be contacted if ss where involved and he's a manipulative abusive ass who we have no contact with but who would be here like a shot reigning chaos if given the chance.

My parents and another sibling do provide a lot of support. We spend weekends together. The kids are clean, clothed, loved and fed. They have 100% attendance and are well supported in school.

It's me who needs help.