If anyone can reply to this I would be very grateful!

[chopin33]

Hi there, briefly am 45 have long standing mental health issues pre dcs they are now 9 and 6. Am currently on mirtazapine for about a year which has been ok. Problem atm is not. Sleeping at all and anxiety. Which is through the roof! Am going to try and see docs today . The reason I'm asking is would it be possible for me to ask for a cpn as I would really appreciate having someone to ring if I'm struggling do you think a gp would be receptive to this ? Thanks for reading

I am sure they would be. Also, I thing local mental health trusts each have a 24 hour number you can ring if things are feeling really bad. You might be able to get some sessions to see the CPN, and/or be referred for CBT. Ask what services are available as I'm sure it varies.

Can you ask to be referred to the CMHT? Rather than just medication from your GP? You may find that this may help with accessing things like CBT, also with having someone to talk to on a regular basis rather than just picking up a prescription.

I originally went to my GP who prescribed Citilopram, but I also asked for a referral because I didn't believe that medication would beefit me much long term.

Don't be afraid to ask your GP for what you think you need. You know your own head, body and soul better than anyone (including your GP) and they won't know if you don't tell them what you think you need.

In my experience GP's will usually take on board these kind of requests and refer you, if you ask.

Good luck!

benefit not beefit :)

Thank u so much I am very touched you replied

Just to warn you that many CMHT's do not have 24 access. Some may do. But common practice is to see your named nurse once a whatever time period they choose ( usually fortnightly say) and no contact between sessions as they are seeing patients. Most run a duty worker system so if you want to speak to a nurse you get who is on duty. That stops at 5pm. If you want crisis support 24 hrs a day then any gp or out of hours service can refer you to a crisis team - that is what a CMHT tends to use if someone needs more help than a regular appointment and is at risk themselves or is at risk of affecting others. So if you are really struggling and feel you need immediate help now then why not ask for a referral to the crisis service now? They assess you and will say if they will see you or what support offer but in most places it is 24hrs a day.

You can access 24 support without being under a Cpn by using any dr to refer you or asking a+e to assess you and refer you if that helps?

I'm discharged now but when I had a CPN (which was arranged by the cmht after I saw their psychiatrist) I was given a direct number to their OOH team so I could call anytime. Just having that made a huge difference.

It's a more long term issue, but if things aren't improving with eg sleep, would you consider being referred to a psychologist? I had years of off again-on again depression, and was lucky to access via the cmht, 18 months of treatment from a consultant clinical psychologist. Totally changed my life!! I got a proper diagnosis, targeted treatment, it was awesome. It's hard to get but if I were you I'd be beating their doors down.

Though with former sleep problems, my lovely CPN was the best!

Thank you everyone I have read all your relpliies with interest I was feeling really craPpy yesterday and it meant the world to me to see these comments. Saw doc and he was nice got a script for a benzo type thing to take at night in the end I didn't ask for referral as was just too bombed out with no sleep and nerves. They've said oin the past is no need for referral as I am lucky in that I respond well to the meds so things can turn around quite quickly - ill see how I go A BIG THaNK YOU!