Are CAMHS any good?

[MsPunky]

Dd(16) has an appointment with them on Monday morning.
I'm desperate for somebody to help her. She is very depressed and barely functioning. She is either crying or lying on the couch staring into space. Last night I held her for two hours whilst she sobbed.

I praying that camhs can help her. I'm losing my girl to this awful, debilitating illness ??

Sometimes. It completely depends on where you live and what type of support you need. I hope they help you

Thank you. We are at breaking point. I'm worried she might try to hurt herself. They've been good in terms of rushing her appointment through although I did have to be quite pushy to get her seen quickly.

I feel I've let her down so badly. What have I done to her that's ended up with her being so ill? I feel like I'm doing everything wrong.

Just remember they work in teams (so if you don't agree with their assessment you can ask to see another). And don't feel afraid to challenge their initial assessment either. Round here they use mental health nurses for the initial assessment. Having then sought the advice of a psychologist privately, the diagnosis is totally totally different. If I had challenged their initial assessment I could have saved years of struggle.

Write as much as you can down before the meeting. Good luck.

Thank you so much. That's really useful to know. I just hope dd is able to open up to them. Do they let parents sit in the assessments with the child?

Don't want to put you off but they have been about as useful as a chocolate teapot for my DS.
But I suppose it depends where you live and how well funded they are.
Good luck.

Thank you. I'm so sorry you've had such a negative experience. I really hope things improve for you and your ds. Watching your child suffer is unbearable.

With a 16yo they usually do some of the assessment with the child and parents and some with just the child.
Your daughter may be bottling up all sorts of stuff.
You may also only get partial information, 16yo are allowed some privacy.
We had intensive everyday for 6 months and 3 times a week for a further 18 months. DSD was in a bad way!
I hope you get good service.

Thank you. I totally get why they do some assessments alone with the child. There are some things kids just don't want to talk about in front of their parent.

I've been there twice and finally 2nd time around feel like I got somewhere with my son. Agree with MagersfonteinLugg tho if you don't feel like yor daughter isn't getting the help she needs seek more advice.

MsPunky I realise this might not appeal but have you considered ADs?
You say DD is depressed. What about your GP? Has she seen him?
She's 16 so wouldn't GP be able to prescribe ADs even for a short period to get her into a better mindset.
If she's crying for 2 hours solid then she's obviously very depressed and I know from experience that ADs can have a very quick effect.

Mixed .....dd gelled with first counsellor but not the second.
She went on sertraline at 17 for OCD and anxiety and is a different person.
I hope your did getsvhelp. It's a terrible feeling as a parent feeling so helpless

I really hope it goes well and they help. It is not your fault. I know it's easy to blame ourselves as parents but you're getting her urgent help which is all you can do.

It was useful to a point. Dd made a disclosure about my ex husband. I am reeling. We have been referred to Rasac. I don't know what I'm suppose to do now. Dd seems quite upbeat tonight though.

Punky, believe her, stand by her, she must be so relieved that it is no longer a secret.
Good luck, it must be a shock for you.