To start an anonymous project where patients and staff share poor experiences of mental health in the NHS

[FrailWhale]

Specifically, when they have had physical health conditions ignored or denied because a small number of doctors and nursing staff cannot see past a mental health diagnosis?

I have been affected by this quite badly; I am starting to think it's much more common than I realised. I also have started to think that the effects don't only impact the patient, but the staff who, in EM/GP/AAU tend to have higher levels of stress and mental health conditions.

I want to give people a space to talk, and start collecting anonymised data - a bit like an investigative journalist would - in the first instance.

I love the NHS and hate to bash it, but I actually found comfort in knowing I'm not the only one with MH problems that face this when going in with a physical problem, as I've started to feel a little embarrassed and not wanting to go to my gp/consultant appointments as I thought it was just me.

I've been having full black out convulsion seizures (tonic clonic??) for a few years now, which health professionals have witnessed. When being seen by one of my cardiology consultants it was suggested I was having a panic attack and it was anxiety. I tried explaining that sitting on my phone playing candy crush doesn't seem to cause me too much mental trauma Luckily my last appointment was taken more seriously.

@Tistheseason People are actually too frightened to complain and when they do complain they are often ignored, or given a one line response. I'd like to do something a little more proactive.

Unsure where I am stirring up anti-NHS feelings. I am speaking about one aspect of poor care that some people experience under the NHS. It's hardly slating the entire NHS.

Thank you very much for all the responses - I will canvas both the positives and the negatives (apologies, i thought I had clarified that upthread, but I now realise it may have just been over private message that I said I'd reflected on that). It's really awful to read people's experiences of this - I wasn't quite sure how many people had experienced it but i am really glad I did post this thread now.

Thank you for sharing.

First up I work for a mental health charity, and we have collected service users views on MH services. A couple of points from my experience.

1. Collecting views and experiences is good, but getting positive as well as negative is helpful. It's useful to know what does work as well as what doesn't, it's also helpful for staff morale of they know they're getting something right.

1. You need to know which NHS Trusts and which teams or GP surgeries etc within those areas the feedback relates to.

My experience at my GP surgery has been excellent, I've never had physical symptoms dismissed. I am obviously aware it does happen, but I've not experienced it.

They used to blame everything on smoking (if you smoke) and now they blame anxiety. Hey GP I've snapped my leg in two! Well it must be that pesky anxiety, speak to your CPN.
I went into hospital after anal rape and needed looking at as I was having some awful problems and I was in pain. They refused pain relief and put me through two psychiatric evaluations, one at 3am. The consultants were adamant everything was in my head. Mental health sufferers can't be raped ysee, they must be lying. Or maybe just maybe rapists seek out vulnerable people. Hmmmmmm.
Luckily the second psychiatrist I saw got them told and said to treat me as if I was any other patient. I loved her for that.
Turned out I had severe pelvic inflammatory disease with a rectocele. The consultants had not correctly recorded the information I'd told them and got the object I was also raped with wrong; it cost me the court case.
Fucking disgusting and I will never forgive them.

@FrailWhale - From the numbers of complaints our team receives about absolutely anything and everything, I can assure you that most people are quite happy to be extremely demanding, feel very entitled and quite happy to complain as they trot out, "I pay my taxes, so you must do X". There are also very genuine complaints with great learning and development opportunities.

I appreciate there will be some people who struggle and there are excellent advocate agencies (free) out there to help you make a complaint and I would positively encourage it. Also, perhaps, if you are not happy with the complaint response you should raise it with the ombudsman as is documented in a standard complaint response letter for you to do.

And, with all respect, encouraging negative experiences on here is hardly a positive thing - there needs to be balance. Negative posts could actually harm people and stop them seeking the help they need as they will see it as all doom and gloom, and not worth seeking support as no one will listen, ever.

Can I say that I've had no such experience despite the fact I've had a diagnosed anxiety disorder for over ten years now?

I am always upfront with my GP that I am aware that my anxiety might make me prone to catastrophising. But every doctor I've seen at the two practices I've been registered with in the last few years has taken my physical concerns perfectly seriously.

I may have been consistently lucky in the doctors I have seen but there are positive stories and experiences out there and they are as valid to proving (or not) your hypothesis as the negative ones.

@Tistheseason17

I can assure you that most people are quite happy to be extremely demanding, feel very entitled

I don't think any of the examples above are feeling entitled. This is trying to undermine 90 percent of the people I talk to affected by this issue.

I think it will take many brave people who are completely independent to make any real changes, who speak out even when others say they are entitled.

Negative posts could actually harm people and stop them seeking the help
I think negative posts are truthful posts. They are trying to improve the system. It is to help future patients. I also think knowing how things are can be helpful going forward as patients who feel undermined will have the support of knowing they are not alone. It's good to have your eyes open.

No one is encouraging negativity. Why can't ppl have the right to tell their stories. If it was any other institution it would be great ppl were coming forward about mistreatment? This is not about the NHS but a reeducation for workers of mental health; that physical illnesses can happen too. I'm not talking about accidents or one offs but systematic and cruel failures that are hushed away.

@Octave777
At no point did I say anyone posting here was demanding or entitled. Please don't suggest I did.

I have also recommended getting advocates if you can't speak up - supporting complainants.

Positive posts can be truthful, too, and empower and encourage others to seek help.

Of course people should share their stories - when did I say they shouldn't?

It's about balance. Based on your unrelated responses to my opinions, I suspect this is not something you have at the moment so I'll leave this thread...

@Tistheseason17
Sorry I was harsh. I didn't mean to be. I do take onboard your points and see you were only trying to be helpful and see there are positive stories too.

Working in the NHS for 30 years has affected my mental health. I am leaving. I have seen so many Nursing collegues go off with stress/ breakdowns etc. The stuff we deal with and witness everyday without proper de-briefing or counselling is shocking.

@Octave777
Thank you. I work with patients and 99.9% are wonderful and need genuine support and care, which I'm passionate about. Docs are not always right but most I work with do want to improve outcomes with patients