Our 12 year old has been struggling with her mental health for past 12 months or so.
We're on CAMHS list but it could be months if not years before we get seen.
Our GP can't help and says we need to wait on CAMHS so we're really left with no help at all for now, like so many others.
We have some private psychologist support but one possible pattern emerging (as well as neurodiversity) is likes of PMDD (more severe type of PMS) or thyroid issues. A blood test might help rule out anything like this and we know there are treatment options available if it did show something up.
All the private blood test companies online and even local private GPs appear to only treat people 18 years or over though. Can anyone help with how this would work in the UK?
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Children's health
Private Blood Tests and PMDD
started · 15/04/2024 14:37
Soberfutures · 15/04/2024 19:18
I agree hormonal tests at that age can be difficult as different parts of her cycle with give different results. I would ask for full bloods to check all iron. Ferritin and even transference levels and stores. Also calcium and vit d.
These can affect mood especially in teenagers. Keep up with CAHMS and any counselling services. Has she accessed Kooth? Or other text/online support designed for teens?
Soberfutures · 16/04/2024 09:45
There are studies linking anxiety and depression with low iron @letsgoskiing and a child who is menstruating is a risk factor.
started · 16/04/2024 15:02
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the input. It's hard to give input without a full history I guess.
There is a lot of variety in responses here and I just don't feel like I'm best person to test or assess or diagnose. I'm floundering though in trying to figure out which professional (private or NHS) would look at all the symptoms a patient has an guide them forward.
I expect it's probably what a GP "should" do but in the 5-10 mins we have with the GP at an appointment I'm concerned that "should" is a bit of an impossibility with best will in world.
I could spend 5 mins explaining all the history and symptoms.
CAMHS and a wider team of professionals makes complete sense - a team of people with more time - but is not available to many young people. It's rubbish but it's reality.
That brings me back to private options. We have had some ND assessment work but a psychologist doesn't really consider items like hormones or vitamins and can't prescribe anything there.
I'm not even sure if a psychiatrist looks at things like that.
PMDD or PMS is diagnosed by 2 months of symptom tracking in a calendar. Blood tests wouldn't show anything. Look up the Royal College of Gynecologists guidance.
I'm feeling like we're tracking symptoms and it does really match up. It's not the full picture for her but perhaps something to smooth the hormonal peaks and troughs might help her cope with other anxieties. We'll try GP again.
Going full circle is it possible to get a private GP for under 18s in the UK? All local ones I've looked at don't work with under 18s.
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Bdaybdilemma · 16/04/2024 18:41
In terms of smoothing the hormonal peaks and troughs, she might not want to hear this (I certainly wouldn't have at that age), but exercise massively helps with my severe PMS, and is the first line of treatment for PMDD.
I do weight training using dumbells and an app at home, following fitness classes of as little as 10 minutes. It's a non-negotiable now for my mental health.
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