Posted in mental health too

[Theodoreb]

So I have bipolar 1 and schizophrenia (not schizoaffective as my schizophrenia is constant where schizoaffective I'm told happens episodal)

I have been completely self isolating for 16 days my whole family have not left the house was supposed to have a telephone call Monday from my psychiatrist as I always see him at least once a month. However he's been called to work in hospital along with all other mh staff in my area.

I was told if I'm unwell call the on duty officer and a psychiatrist will come round to see me. But I don't want to see a different psychiatrist and I'm worried my psychiatrist is going to get unwell I've seen him at least once a months for 5 years I don't want to lose him.

Although understand he's more needed and I'm being selfish but I just don't want him to get bad.

I'm in the exact same boat as you, and a similar diagnosis (schizoaffective bipolar 1). I'm totally shit scared. I've been really stable for the past six years and I really am worried I'm going to lose that.

I'm also very anxious that a new psych won't know my baseline, if you know what I mean. I've been told I have a habit of saying a lot of awful stuff in a really calm and articulate way when I'm poorly and some medical staff overestimate how rational I am because they get misled by my tone.

No real advice. Just a load of fellow feeling. This whole situation is going to be rough on people like us, I think.

Hi - sorry, that must be difficult for you. Is your condition stable at the moment and you have your meds? Your psychiatrist could be helping out on mental health wards rather than with Covid patients. I'm sure he will be ok. Are your family supportive?

@batvixen123 that's exactly how I feel I don't want another psychiatrist as I'm told I often say inappropriate things when I'm bad. Sorry your going through the same too. I also don't react well to new people anyway let alone trying to talk to a new psychiatrist about personal things when I'm paranoid.

@MajesticWhine when I first heard about corona I swapped pharmacies as although j always enjoyed going to boots and chatting to staff I wanted a pharmacy that deliver and boots charge.

So yes my medication is safe but as I'm on weekly prescription I've asked for monthly's due to current circumstances but was refused. But it should be ok although I do stress about not getting my meds I am currently stable and given the extreme circumstances we are all under I am coping extremely well.

I don't think you're being selfish. That's a massive change to deal with in the middle of a tough situation - you're allowed to be upset and worried about it. Losing professionals you trust is so hard. I'm sorry you're in this position.

On the medication front, I was worried about getting mine but they turned it round faster than I've ever experienced this week so hopefully that part will run smoothly for you.

I'm very dependent on a different medical professional and so I know something of the fear you are experiencing. It's terrifying.

Realistically, the chances of anything happening to your psychistrist are still really small. The vast majority of people who get the virus will be ok. So it's about finding ways of managing your fears for now. Have you emailed him to say how much you are worrying? Is there any other support you could access right now or is that too difficult? Ultimately we just all have to get through this. If something does happen to him, I know it would be extremely challenging but there would be other good psychiatrists out there. It would be an adjustment and destabilising and v sad but you would get help elsewhere

I guess I'd adjust it's just the fact that it took two years before I was comfy enough to talk to my current psychiatrist but he was very patient and he is always so professional and it doesn't matter what I tell him I've done or thinking he never acts horrified or shocked he maintains his professional calm outlook and we talk through it. I don't feel paranoid he is going to report me to social services if I say for example I'm struggling to keep my house clean which I struggle with a lot. I'm entitled to a carer and want to get one who will just help me clean but I don't know how to get one it would have to be a female. And I know carers allowance is such a low amount.

I cannot speak to anyone else unless I'm extremely unwell as only emergency services are currently open in my Borough so would wait until I'm very unwell however I'm used to my psychiatrist adjusting my meds as soon as I feel even the slightest mood or psychotic disturbance and worries what will happen if this happens.