Bipolar/Schizophrenia advice please?

[Captainmomtotherescue]

Hi, first time posting here. I'm looking for some advice about the "timeline" (for lack of a better phrase) after visiting the GP regarding Bipolar/Schizophrenia.

My partner (A week ago) went to the GP and explained his issues. We've known for a little bit that something deeper was the issue other than depression - Anti-depressants weren't having many if any effect, unusual behaviour/thoughts, long term history of depression etc. I have spoken to my GP the week before this about the next steps and she said it was a referral to a psychologist who would formally diagnose then come up with a treatment plan etc. However when my partner went, he wasn't sure if his referral was to a psychologist or a CBT therapist. Anyway, the GP said he is showing signs of Bipolar and some signs of schizophrenia.

I'm just wondering what the next steps are, if he's likely to have been referred to a CBT counsellor or Psychologist (if there's even a difference?) And any advice from here on in.

I don't have any personal experience with these mental illnesses, so any information would be extremely helpful. Also happy to answer any questions if I've missed anything out.

Thanks in advance! :)

Just want to say thankyou for those that could grasp what was going on when there was a bit of a wobble. I certainly don't hate/dislike anyone. I came here for views and opinions/experiences, but it is mightily confusing as it is, nevermind the added internet issues.

I've had a similar family history, my cousin is scizophrenic and my dear aunt who was in and out of hospital, eventually killed herself in one before I was born. No one to this day has told me what was actually going on with her, I think it was all swept under the carpet although my mum (her sister) took it pretty badly and I think is what contributed to her depression and anxiety.

I've never mentioned this to any of the psychiatrists or doctors that I have seen, mainly because I block it out and forget. This thread has actually reminded me. Plus I never knew my aunt, so I don't know the ins and outs of what was actually happening.

@flourella are you ok? Are you feeling any better? Please don't feel like that

@Captainmomtotherescue It's ok. Hopefully the appointment will help paint a clearer picture for you and your DP. They will have seen it all before.

I would say write everything down would be your best bet. Everything. Because I know when I go to appointments I think 'I'll remember this, or that' I don't. Brain like a sieve sometimes!

Apologies if it brought up any negative memories! Maybe there needs to be a warning somewhere.

I hope so, it's a sit and wait situation and I'm not very good at that. DP is okay doing so for a short while so I hope there isn't too much of a wait.
When we get his appointment through, I shall arm him with a pen and paper. He is very forgetful too and also blocks out/forgets parts of painful/negative memories.

I don't think flourella will be returning to this thread, at least not while everything is still fresh. I feel awful about making her feel that way, we did exchange some messages and I think this cleared it up. At least I hope so. I really hope I don't come across horribly. It's such a stressful situation.

Sorry! Meant to say, remind me to maybe mention it as it might be helpful. It's not negative at all, the more I know about my family history and ebay they know about it might be beneficial.

No not at all. You're going through a lot, it must be very stressful, understandably.

ebay? stupid autocorrect. the more they know... was meant to say!

Autocorrect has some strange corrections. I shall definitely be reminding him of a few things to do. Mainly just be honest and note down things, or just tell me straight after and I can note them down. I think I need to make my own lists after this post haha.. it's a lot of information to take in. At least I'll have it to refer back to. Thankyou everyone, for your input. I'm ashamed of my sensitivities but I guess it's a learning curve. I hope everyone is okay after that.

Don't be ashamed, honestly I know it's easier said than done, but like I said, there is nothing that will be said that they probably haven't heard before. Good luck, I hope your DP gets the help he needs, would take a lot of the pressure off of you as well I can imagine!

It's certainly a lot of pressure, but our relationship can be wonderful. I know that with the extra bit of help for my DP, he'll flourish. I've wanted that so much for him. He deserves the chance to be truly happy again after so long.

Either way let's hope his appointment can bring good news alongside whatever his symptoms bring! By good news I mean being able to manage it :)

How are you getting on
@Captainmomtotherescue Any progress?

We spoke a little bit last night about what to expect and he said it was good advice. He was quite happy to change the subject about it though.

No letter through today. Bloody sitting and waiting is a nightmare when it feels like there's so much riding on it.

Thanks for thinking of me. How are you getting on?

That's ok hopefully you get some advice soon. Your DP might think he can get better on his own maybe?

I'm doing ok. I had a bit of a wobble today, but I'm fine now.

That's strange, not a day went by without having a letter about appointments! I suppose it is a lottery and where you live from what I've read on here. I'm assuming I'm in the minority.

I never knew people waited months for an appointment with a psychiatrist. I had one pretty much the next day after a crisis.

He has thought that in the past, after his last 'breakdown'(?) 2 weeks ago, he admitted he couldn't deal with it alone anymore and said hed go to the doctors in a week - after processing what the issue could be, motivating himself and coming to terms with accepting help - and that's what brought us to this stage.
I think I am partly the reason why he acknowledged he needed help as I was open and honest but also delicate about how I phrased it.

I'm glad you got through the wobble! I've been having anxiety issues on and off since last Monday too as my CBT came to an end. (Unhelpful!) Hopefully now is time for relaxation (as much as you can) for you? :)

I don't know about psychiatrists appointments. Counselling referrals take the mickey though. I'm not sure whether DP mentioned his 'breakdown' while he was at the doctors, so they might not deem it as urgent despite his thoughts.

They said it could be up to 4 weeks ish. It depends on where he's got to go, how "bad" it is etc. We live in a major city but unsure of the list criteria/rating systems.

I would probably prepare yourself that he may or may not get a diagnosis at his appointment with the psychiatrist, not because he doesn't have or they don't suspect a condition but because they sometimes decide to observe for months first before deciding on one

I'd prepare to expect him to be prescribed some medication- but then be observed, it may help it may make things worse... it may need changing, it may take time to find a medication that he is not suffering from too many side effects on

I would also prepare in my experience as a previous partner to someone who was given a life changing MH diagnosis for it to shock him, no matter how prepared he thinks he is, and for it to take time to come to terms with the idea that life can still go on regardless of a diagnosis

So many people have bipolar or schizophrenia and work full time, raise families, run companies etc... but they do still hold a stigma that we are quite private and you may not know who the people are in your life who do as when managed well - life carries on

Obviously not everyone has a condition that is "managed well" - it will be up to him to work with his psychiatrist to manage his condition, I did feel like my partner became a guinea pig for medication and forgot that he could decide if he wasn't getting on with a medication and could discuss medication with a psychiatrist not just say ok two times a day to anything even if it clearly had worse side effects than benefits for him

In terms of the GP... they aren't MH specialists, they have some training... but see tons of patients for a variety of things and often signpost to specialists. It's very common in my experience for GP's to make statements that are slightly ill informed regarding mental health conditions.

It's also very common to be given a diagnosis in year 1.... and 4 years later have a completely different one because symptoms overlap in some conditions and it takes time for professionals to get to know the patient and observe them and see how they respond to treatments

With bipolar I know some can manage without medication, but do so by dramatically changing in their lifestyle to do incredible amounts of daily exercise. That's just my experience of people I know though - I doubt a psychiatrist will recommend swimming 2 miles a day but if someone comes back and says they've been swimming 2 miles a day, and been off meds for 6 months and there's evidence they've been coping well for 6 months- they are likely to say great, stick with that then, see us if anything changes.

When I say observe btw I don't mean they are watched constantly I just mean several appointments over time

I've got schizo affective disorder which was diagnosed & medicated by my psychiatrist.

At first they diagnosed borderline as well but I now am said to just have 'some traits', whatever.

I take high doses of anti depressants & anti psychotics but do get times of being depressed & some symptoms of psychosis still with delusional thoughts & paranoia- also I get obsessive behaviour, with overspending & overeating to excess.
My symptoms worsen with stress.

I see the psychiatrist 3 monthly & also see a vocational occupational therapist who helps me to stay in work.

A psychologist has referred me to a therapy group for people with similar problems.

Hope your husband gets to see a psychiatrist soon & that he/she is good. Some are not so good but mine is very helpful.

Sorry OP for thread hijack.
Tierra what do you do for work, how do you support yourself to keep going? I'm a trained nurse but can't work clinically and just had to leave my low level low stress job because of expectation to do nights. I'd appreciate any advice.

I'm an HCA on a elective surgical ward. I can only work part time as I get really tired with all the meds, & get paranoid if I'm there too much. I don't work nights as I have Epilepsy too.
I do enjoy my job but I still get stressed at times!
I get low rate DLA as well, not yet been asked to convert to PIP.
My family also help me out financially which I feel very bad about but they are happy to do so.

Thankyou for everyone's input. It's been really helpful.

Don't worry about thread hijack, if you need advice, fair enough!

I hope everyone is okay today though!

Hiya, I'm glad you're finding things helpful. I've had a terrible day. Well it's been a mixture, I've been pretty much none stop, taking my DC to nursery, then got into an altercation with the bus driver (long story) I've put a complaint in as he was a dick.

Cleaned the house top to bottom, to only be back to square one when my DC got in. I thought I was having a panic attack earlier on, had to ring the crisis team, I'm ok now, still a bit jittery.

Oh no Bippity! Really feel for you!
Hope you feel better soon, I have no tips at all in afraid :(.

I'm having a bit of relaxation time today, went into town on my own for some bits and bobs while DP had DS and had a long(ish) shower and now have a pore cleansing face mask on.
Have you got any ultimate relaxing activities now (I'm presuming) your DC are in bed?

Glad you're mainly ok though now!

I don't really, my dc is in bed thankfully. He fell asleep at about 9ish, which is early for him! I've just been listening to music and watching stuff on tv to take my mind off things. I think too much, that's my problem!

Sorry you feel rubbish bip. I've had a rubbish day, got the CPN out tomorrow and psych on Tuesday, regret giving my notice at work.
Wish I was normal. Hope you and DP are ok Captain.

Bless him. I'm also guilty for being one for over-thinking!

That's a nice way to unwind too. I just felt like something different. It's not often I "pamper" myself so took advantage.

Are you a fan of ice-cream/chocolate? Curl up with a (moderate-large) amount. I was in Boots earlier and seen some peppermint calming oil concoction, was tempting to buy it for times when I'm struggling to relax. There was also pulse point rollerballs. I've not tried them, but they've got to be worth a go when anxiety is getting the better of you. I'm going to have a proper look next week I think!

I only have suggestions like these unfortunately. I know chamomile tea has a relaxing effect on me too?

Steakandkidney, I'm not feeling rubbish now, just utterly exhausted and I know I need to go to bed, but I want to watch American horror story, don't want to miss that! My little thing I look forward to every week..

I've (and I know I shouldn't, but it helps) had a few gins to help calm myself down so I can sleep.