To think something fishy is going on here?

[Kowaii]

Patient X has bipolar type 2. So symptoms are prolonged periods of severe depression interspersed with hypo manic episodes. Long history of hypo mania and depression and is being treated with Lithium.

X gets pregnant and stops taking lithium as advised, goes through pregnancy with a plan from consultant to resume lithium once baby is born. Baby is born, however new consultant has take over case and has said that as X has not had a hypo manic episode during the pregnancy that they are treating her as a misdiagnosis and not resuming lithium. X spent a whole year trying to find answers as this was all decided without the new consultant ever speaking to her.

Official complaint lodged, which after 2 years nothing had come of it they are still “investigating”. Medical records requested however a great deal of them missing as “not in the best interests of the patient” to see them.

X has been off meds for 2 years and is suffering but can not access any mental health help from her trust. Has given up and taking anti depressants (not recommended for bipolar due to increased risk of mania) however has decided that mania is better than suicidal depression.

Do you think this all sounds a bit off? Seems like a mistake has been made somewhere and things are being covered up?

Do they have any right to withhold a patient’s own medical records from them?

Apparently they do but it just seems so odd doesn’t it?

They can redact parts of your medical history if it contains information about another person, but it doesn’t sound like that’s what’s happening.

It’s very strange they’ve withdrawn her medication. People can go years without having a hypomanic episode. Has she been in touch with PALS?

I don’t know the legalities of this, or have experience of it. I wouldn’t conclude there’s been a cover-up, but I would be using every single avenue available to kick up a stink re access to my records and a proper and complete explanation. I say this as a healthy person, without depression or hyper mania. Does person X have someone who can advocate for them?

The Mind charity used to have MH advocates who can help, presume they still do.

Why can you not access any help? Are you not able to get referred back in to secondary care? How's your mental health now?

Theyve been bounced around from service to service and no one will take them. This has been ongoing for 2 years now.

Secondary care won’t see them as their mental health is too bad, primary care won’t see them as they don’t believe the bipolar diagnosis, GP hasn’t got a clue, eating disorders service also can’t get involved due to the severity of the mental health. Crisis team will only get involved if they actually attempt suicide.

Are you X? If not, how is this information being relayed to you? Is this what X is telling you their consultant has said and done? Is there therefore a possibility that it might not be a reliable narrative? Do they have any community support?

The point about withholding notes due to potential for distress/harm is correct.

What did the psych do re a new diagnosis off they felt bipolar is no longer correct?

Bipolar/BPD diagnosis is often given in women when actually there has been significant trauma, is this possible

Nothing has been done RE the diagnosis. They’ve just gone “nope” and left them. Not even a review.

I'd recommend asking the child's health visitor for a referral in. I've never encountered a scenario where a parent of a young child has been refused assement.
What are the symptoms at present?

1. Get a private psychiatric evaluation
2. Get referred to adult mental health armed with this evaluation
3. Get the correct medication for the correct diagnosis.

I'm sorry, it's the only way to get the twats to listen when they get stupid (aside from getting sectioned). Also, the second psychiatrist was spectacularly thick to not know that a) as bipolar is episodic, it isn't a constant fluctuation of hypo/mania and depression, there are periods of "normal" wellness between them. and that b) bipolar disorder generally doesn't need lifelong medication these days due to the above, therefore being able to manage for months or years without medication doesn't mean the bipolar was a misdiagnosis. Please be careful with the antidepressants, they can make you ultra-rapid cycle and can make the highs and lows even higher and lower. 💐

Actually I'm wrong, there is one other way. Social services referral for maternal mental health. I know that sounds very scary but they can potentially support you and during our assessment (we didn't meet threshold in the end) they said they can legally compel mental health to work with you.