Is there a limit on how long someone can be under a cmht

[Happiestyearofmylife]

Dd has been under one two years. She meet someone as an inpatient that has been under the team 8 year is this common? I always thought it was short term?

How long is a piece of string? You're there until it's no longer needed. Some need them for a couple of months, some for life. People are individuals.

I've been under mine for 7 years

It all depends. Some are only under them to get them through a rough patch, and some will be under for life (especially those who have depot antipsychotics as your GP can't do them). The goal should be to get the patient to a place where they don't need CMHT anymore.

Oh wow didn’t realise it was common for long term

Long term is very common, in many cases patients can be under cmht care for all of their adult lives before being transferred to MHSOP (older persons) CMHT until they depart this mortal coil.

Mental illness can be managed very successfully at home, and not everyone needs community care, but for some CMHT helps to avoid hospitalisation or minimise the times someone needs to go into hospital. Many of our inpatients in acute hospitals have CPNs or are under CRT

I've been under them for 3 years. I have bipolar and ADHD and still see my psych roughly every 3 months. I think it really is one of those how long is a piece of string things. I've heard of people being under them much longer as well. Also some medications can only be switched, or titrated under the supervision of a psychiatrist, so that will also play a role until you can be passed onto your GP

I just don’t understand how they have the resources to keep people under them long term.

Some long term patients won't see their psych that often. I just have a catch up with my psychiatrist once every six months. That will happen indefinitely. He thinks it's easier and safer to maintain low level contact and hopefully prevent a relapse than discharge me back into the community where my GP might not spot the signs and I would be at risk waiting on a new referral.

Fwiw, I have bipolar disorder with a history of psychosis.

Severe enduring illnesses like bipolar and schizophrenia don't go away.....

Yes long term can be common. Some medications / conditions are too specialist to be managed by the GP.

@Happiestyearofmylife

I just don’t understand how they have the resources to keep people under them long term.

For example some people with schizophrenia have to have regular injections and visits from cmht for life. So not much choice.

I’m talking more about people who are under cmht for risk taking behaviours.

It depends what the diagnosis is that causes the “risk taking” behaviours though. For example, someone who has bipolar disorder and keeps coming off their meds will be under the CMHT longterm. It uses more resources to deal with the aftermath than to just keep supporting them iyswim. .

I’m talking more about bpd

Ive been under my local cmht for 22 years, I am on 6 monthly reviews now with the psychiatrist. My last admission was 6 years ago. Cmht have stepped it up to home treatment on a few occasions but I avoided actual hospital admission. I have a few different diagnosis.

@Potteringshed

Some long term patients won't see their psych that often. I just have a catch up with my psychiatrist once every six months. That will happen indefinitely. He thinks it's easier and safer to maintain low level contact and hopefully prevent a relapse than discharge me back into the community where my GP might not spot the signs and I would be at risk waiting on a new referral.

Fwiw, I have bipolar disorder with a history of psychosis.

Because mental health conditions don't just go away?!?

That wasn't in reply to who was quoted, it was to the OP who asked why someone would have it long term.

Are you thinking it's a good thing op they have this support or are you not?

I have cptsd/BPD and the care co has made it clear that the end goal is to be discharged from them...but not sure when that would be..

No of course they don’t go away but cmht is often quite intense support.

Ill be under the cmht for as long as it takes......ive been in and out of services most of my life and im now on depot medication which the gp cant do so as long as i need that, ill remain under cmht i guess

@Happiestyearofmylife

No of course they don’t go away but cmht is often quite intense support.

Mine isn't 'intense'. I speak to my care co once a month for 30 mins to an hour..the psychiatrist I've met once and any meds change is done through the care co without needing to see her. The crisis team is intense but not cmht.

I know people that are having weekly input from cmht that my dd knows.

It totally depends on the diagnosis, how the team works etc, I keep my patients either till death or until they go into 24hr care, but our team is a bit of a rarity this is not standard, just because of our specialism.

@Happiestyearofmylife

I know people that are having weekly input from cmht that my dd knows.

Yes , it depends on their needs. When I was postnatal I had weekly visits due to being perinatal. Now I am under the adult cmht it is less, but can be upped to more visits if needed. I'm not sure what you're asking about really..