What happens at a Psychiatric assessment?

[TadWorried]

I'm a tad worried - I recently decided to try and resolve problems I have from my childhood, where I was sexually abused.

I've been seeing an NHS Consultant Psychotherapist for nine months, who has just discharged me following a breakdown of trust between myself and the NHS Trust (which is currently being dealt with by the Information Commissions Office - e.g.: Data Protection).

Anyhow, my former psychotherapist has recommended to my GP that I have a Psychiatric assessment and medication, or be treated by the WellBeing team and possible be befriended - as psychotherapy will no longer work now my trust has been breached.

I feel rather abandoned - but can anyone tell me what a Psychiatric assessment is and what it will do for me? I feel I'm being pushed into something by the NHS as they don't know what else to do now.

A psychiatric assessment will probably be a talk with you to see if they and you think psychiatric intervention with medication and possibly a community psychiatric nurse or occupational therapist may help. Psychiatrists in this country are mainly about medication in my experience, although some are trained in therapy as well. It really totally depends who you get to see. The person assessing you may well not be the person you see as 'your' psychiatrist should you have further appointments.

If it has been recommended that you have medication, see how it goes. It's tricky to get medication right sometimes, often. However, as you know, you cannot medicate away residual childhood problems, for example. Medication may help you deal with your problems in some ways, it can change perspective or give you a leg up, but won't 'solve' issues.

Sorry not to be helpful.

Are .. I see they are trying to get me on medication. Drugs are not for me.

Thank you for replying - you were more than helpful.

No problem. It didn't sound from your post as if medication would be your 'answer'. I wish you all the best in finding some resolution and peace from your past.

Yeah psychs normally deal with finding out what mental health issue you have and assessing if you need meds...

Thank you for your help and thoughts -

How do you feel about building up a therapeutic relationship with someone else? Could you do it again? Been sexually abused myself and know a thing or two about trust issues, but can't help but think that saying that psychotherapy will no longer work now' is a bit of rubbish.

I feel I could build trust and have a therapeutic relationship if I was able to see a different person from a different NHS Trust, or a person rom outside of the NHS.

Psychotherapy was working really well at one stage - I don't see a reason why it won't continue to work again - but how I get back to see someone new is a problem.

I've booked an appointment with my GP for tomorrow to see what my options are.

If you feel you could handle more therapy I would recommend that you explore that. I hope your GP is of use.

I had part of my therapy via safeline. They are based in the Midlands but can advise and refer nationwide.

I don't have much hope of a solution from my GP but I'm going to see what the option are now - if there are any NHS options left open.

The idea of a community based Wellbeing team, helping me simply won't work in my situation. As for befriending as an option to discuss childhood abuse ... well they can FO! What a stupid idea.

Thank you I'll have a look at safeline.