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Original poster

SPRINGTIME in the VILLAGE (Support for all Mental Health Issues)

720 replies

NanaNina · 22/03/2015 02:18

Thought I'd start a new thread what with it being the Spring Equinox and all that..........and there's another reason. I'm hoping to re-connect with people who used to be frequent village visitors, but like me, seem to have fallen by the wayside. Of course everyone is welcome in the Village, so I hope more recent visitors understand my post and will not feel de-valued in any way. The stigma of mental illness is alive and well I reckon so we all need all the support we can get.

SO - CALLING

Vicar (she started the Village thread some years ago and occasionally pops in) Edwinia'sRevenge SnowyMouse (where ARE you?) SilveryPussyCat CIQ (I know you were having a tough time) Lem (once a very regular visitor) Hoochymama Pyrrghena collardove Victrix Pulled Creamhearts (previously FDG) MentalPsychiatrist KeemaNaanAndCurryOn (miss you and your wit)
FaithLoveandGrace MySpideySenseTickles

Would love to hear how you're all doing. I'm much the same, up and down, mostly down this month.

I've probably forgotten lots of people, but that's all I can bring to mind just now.

OP posts:
GooodMythicalMorning · 27/03/2015 20:02

Yeah sure Becca. This place is great for support.

Becca19962014 · 27/03/2015 20:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Becca19962014 · 27/03/2015 20:52

Blush I hit the wrong button. I probably should have deleted a lot of that. Sorry it's so long.

GooodMythicalMorning · 27/03/2015 21:42

Sorry to hear that becca. The solicitor sounds like he doesnt know what he is talking about. I guess it wouldn't be possible to swap to a different solicitor?

Becca19962014 · 27/03/2015 22:19

Unfortuantely no. He is the only one in the area of the country I live in, and, is a well respected mental health solicitor. I'm really wondering if it's me, I already know I'm unwell and wonder if it's just that and he is right? im very confused right now.

I feel like I'm trapped, which is why I'm having a lot of problems with panic attacks maybe.

Thanks for the reply anyway. Sorry mines rather confused!

Loveisashadow · 27/03/2015 22:26

Could you get a different solicitor ?

Loveisashadow · 27/03/2015 22:28

Sorry, cross post. Is there any way you can access support without solicitor ?

creamhearts · 27/03/2015 22:28

I don't have any advice tbh Becca but I am thinking of you because it sounds really tough.

Hello to everyone else.

Am still in hospital, still very low. Hmmm.

Becca19962014 · 27/03/2015 22:42

loveissshadow unfortunately theres no way. I've tried other options.

I guess what really hurt was his attitude to what I have gone through and am going through at the moment.

creamhearts thankyou. Sorry to hear you are in hospital and low Flowers

Original poster
NanaNina · 27/03/2015 22:51

Becca - sorry but I don't understand why you are consulting a solicitor - I've never heard of a "mental health solicitor" - what exactly is he supposed to be doing for you? The comment about benefits being available to everyone under this govt is total bullshit - but of course he wouldn't have any idea about benefits and probably votes Tory! There's never been a worse time for people needing to claim benefits as far as I'm concerned and if this govt get elected in May they are going to make further massive cuts to all kinds of benefits.

Can you say what diagnosis you have - sorry if you've already said. Presumably you are in secondary care given that you have a social worker. What meds are you on and are you reviewed by a psychiatrist? Sorry to ask so many questions.

If you can say something about your circumstances and what benefits you're on, I might be able to offer some advice, though I'm not an expert in any sense. MH issues are bad enough without worrying about money, although I know that's how it is for so many people.

OP posts:
Becca19962014 · 27/03/2015 23:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Becca19962014 · 27/03/2015 23:08

I hope that made sense. Sorry for another epic post Blush. I'm not sure it makes sense to me never mind anyone else!

Original poster
NanaNina · 28/03/2015 00:05

OK thanks for that - yes I see a solicitor would be involved with Sections and that you consulted him because secondary care services were withdrawn. To be honest I think they are within their rights to discharge you from secondary care, and refer you back to your GP. I know things work differently in different MH Trusts but I think that decisions are made on the basis of clinical need, just as they are in terms of our physical health. Although having said that, I think funding (or lack of it) plays a big part too, as the NHS (as you may know) is in a very bad way financially and likely to get worse, and MH has always been severely under resourced. The fact that you are still on the database doesn't entitle you to services. It just means that they haven't closed the case.

As far as your diagnosis is concerned, think BPD is something of a "catch all" diagnosis and can be used when someone doesn't seem to fit with any other diagnosis. It can be difficult to get a proper diagnosis and I think many people get a variety of diagnoses before they get the right one. But if you are not able to access a psychiatrist there doesn't seem much chance that you're going to get any further in terms of your diagnoses.

It sounds like you're getting the right benefits - though what's the U for after ESA - and what are the grounds for your appeal? DLA is being replaced by PIPs isn't it, though not sure that will make any difference to the amount and I imagine you might have to be re-assessed because the DWP like to keep assessing and re-assessing people in the hope that they can find a way of cutting or stopping the benefit. Does your LHA cover the full cost of your rent or do you have to top it up. Assume you don't have children? Do you have any support in RL as it sounds like you are a bit isolated and that must be adding to your difficulties.

What is the biggest problem for you - you mention severe depression - are you not on meds for depression/anxiety. A GP can prescribe those without any problem.

Have you suffered trauma in your childhood (not asking you to say anything on here) but very often people with complex and enduring MH issues have suffered some kind of trauma in the past, which of course follows them into adult life. Have you been offered any "talking therapy" though little is available on the NHS but it might be worth asking your GP for a referral.

OP posts:
Becca19962014 · 28/03/2015 01:45

The U was a typing error! Sorry.

The appeal I can't remember the basis of it was started a long time ago. I know The withdrawal of services meant I didn't have any evidence of need and it was decided I had no needs anymore as I wasn't being seen, despite being such a suicide risk I must get my prescriptions every day (which I was told meant I should be in support group), and am spoken to every day by pharmacist to make sure it's safe for me to leave with the day's medication (they can and will refuse to give it to me if for example I don't return the packaging from the day before) and various other MH things ive been seeing gp for. Obvuously that's to do with the mental health stuff only.

My gp cannot cope with my mental health needs on their own - ive glossed over the worse aspects somewhat as I'm nervous about mentioning them here (nothing personal). I've been through primary care mental health services multiple times and they always refer to secondary care asking for more support to be offered which is refused and, well I basically feel like something being passed from one person to the next. My gp won't continue to see me if I'm discharged completely as she cannot cope, ive met with her and senior partner and practice manager.

Talking therapy (primary and in CMHT) refused to offer me anything as I needed to be under secondary services due to needs [confusing]

I hope that this makes sense. Sorry for any typos!!

Becca19962014 · 28/03/2015 01:47

The pharmacist usually refuses under duty of care - it's not just about returning old packets if that makes sense, that was the only example I could think of!

gemdrop84 · 28/03/2015 07:58

Well done Good, sending everyone Flowers I don't have any advice to give becca but want to offer my support.

Becca19962014 · 28/03/2015 08:53

Thankyou Gen

Becca19962014 · 28/03/2015 08:54

Sorry gem!!

GooodMythicalMorning · 28/03/2015 09:13

Thanks Gem.

Just reading through all the posts since my last. Massive headache this morning, dont want to get out of bed.

Loveisashadow · 28/03/2015 12:37

Hey mythical. You are doing so so well. The CBT therapy was a step in the right direction. Hold on to that , and your progress, when you are feeling so low.

Becca I don't have any advice- sorry. I understand about BPD. I've been diagnosed with it. I don't think it's my primary issue at the moment, but it is problematic for me in accessing support sometimes. My main issue is severe depression, but sometimes my support workers dismiss it a bit and it is harder than it should be to get the help I need.

Cream are they helping you in hospital? What sort of treatment are you having?

Hello Nana. Hope things are Ok with you. Agree with all of your points re: benefits.

I've done lots of housework this morning, now sitting down with a coffee. DD is back today. Feeling more stable though things are still hard work. Went out last night and that has lifted my mood a little. But it's really appreciated from how low I was.

creamhearts · 28/03/2015 18:01

No treatment really, just monitoring I guess, I am having anti-psychotics by depot.

Becca have you ever been sectioned? If so they have a legal responsibility to provide aftercare for you. Can you contact the crisis team?

Love how are you doing?

mythical I hope you are feeling better now xx

Becca19962014 · 28/03/2015 19:20

I was sectioned by police (136) but the assessment was literally me being accused of wasting police time (I didn't call them someone else did and they said i hadn't wasted their time anyway). The crisis team is only for those under CMHT so I can't contact them, even if I was under cmht patients can't self refer.

creamhearts · 28/03/2015 20:40

No it needs to be a section 3 for you to have the aftercare entitlement :( (although :) for not being sectioned!!)

I don't know what to suggest really :(

Becca19962014 · 28/03/2015 20:46

I've no idea about sections etc, except I was threatened with them to get me into hospital twice. I didn't even know what police were doing, they were huge blokes going on about 136ing me and I didn't have a clue!

I appreciate the support, I didn't mean to makes people feel frustrated though, I guess that's why solicitor feels like he does as I'm such a mess Sad

Loveisashadow · 29/03/2015 14:33

Hi Becca. I don't think anyone feels frustrated, just want to suggest things to you to help. I'm sorry you don't seem to be getting much support from mh services.

Cream is the depot helping? I have friends who take depot as well, they say it's not nice at the time but can be useful. Last time I was at the clinic, I got talking about depot with a lady waiting for hers. Are you in agreement with your treatment ? The lady I spoke with said hers kept her out of hospital in the long term. She had some sort of paranoid psychosis. I don't why I mentioned that, just a bit of a positive thing with the depot really.

I do hope you are feeling a little calmer. If I recall, you have bpd? That's one of my diagnoses and it really is awful when it's in full swing.

I'm Ok thanks for asking, my anti psychotics have helped take the edge off. Have been on an hour's walk today, very sedated and tired, but the walk helped. Have been doing some general housework stuff since I got back, in between messing about on the internet and facebooking friends. DD is playing a game on her kindle. She has settled back in fine.

How's everyone else doing ?