Mental health and getting a flat advice.

[Pheebie]

Bit of info - Basically I’m 21 years old, have suffered from disabling OCD since age 11 have terrible anxiety and am generally a very... delicate person, so to speak. I also have a physical health issue that makes the anxiety worse and makes it difficult to put a lot of pressure on my body in general.

I’m very much wanting to move out of my parents house due to them not seeing eye to eye much, which causes a very tense atmosphere.This makes my OCD worse as I’m already monumentally stressed due to trying to resis OCD compulsions. It’s also very difficult to break out of my rituals and patterns when I feel perpetually reminded of every stressful memory that’s ever occurred in the house, as it started when we lived at our current address.

I’m starting a new run of therapy soon (I’ve tried CBT numerous times and take medication for the OCD) Due to this I’ve been wanting to make a fresh start in my own flat, so I can fully concentrate on therapy without the stressful atmosphere and upsetting reminders. I live in the south west and even with help from the council I can’t afford to rent privately. I’ve been on the council housing list since the summer and I’ve been classified as grade C.

I’m looking for some experiences and guidance with this kind of issue. Many thanks in advance.

Hope your therapy goes well.

Does your council offer places quicker if you're willing to relocate further afield or would this be a no no for you.

OP you could ask your parents to write you a letter saying they want you out due to your MH issues impacting their lives. This effectively makes you "homeless at home" and ups your points. You don't have to actually move out.

Hi Pheebie

I was told that my local authority would not increase my likelihood of getting a council flat despite my being in pretty much exactly your situation while still living with my dad. It seems disabling psychiatric conditions are not considered to be the same as physical disabilities, in my area at least - what a shock(!)

My social worker found me a flat that is part of a supported accommodation scheme run by a mental health charity for people with severe and enduring illness, and I've been here for eleven years. The rent is fully covered by housing benefit as with a council or housing association flat. I don't know if you have a social or other mental health worker, but if not you could Google "mental illness supported accommodation (my area)" and see what comes up.

If your OCD is very severe and you have exhausted local provision with no improvement, you could also ask about specialist treatment at one of the national centres, where they provide inpatient treatment and/or home visits for people with the worst cases of OCD. I haven't had that yet but have met the criteria and am on the waiting list.

Council flats are rare as I'm sure you are aware

A room in a shared house, bedsit style would be more likely I think

Sorry, that first sentence should read "I was told that telling my local authority about my OCD would not increase the likelihood of my getting a council flat" . But we live in different parts of the country, so it might help you, as a previous poster said. I would definitely look up supported accommodation as well, if you haven't already considered it.

@flourella I’ve been looking for inpatient services at one of the centres actually, they are all rather far away that’s the only thing. Thank you so much for your reply and really helpful advice, I hope everything goes really well for you! Good luck!

@Vitalogy I would but sadly I can’t move too far away as my mother is my carer, so I need to be near her.

The ward at Springfield Hospital will send a therapist to the patient's home once a week if going onto the ward isn't an option. I can't possibly go straight there and sleep in the bed and eat and drink in the canteen; I haven't even used crockery, cutlery, pots and pans or had any hot food and drink in my own home for about 12 years, so I certainly couldn't survive in a hospital!

Having home visits might not work whilst you are with your parents, but it's something to bear in mind when considering future treatment options. I hope you can find a way to affordably move out if that's what you want. I don't know if you want to discuss your OCD in more detail here, but I feel very isolated having it to such an uncommon degree. I'd listen and talk to you about it, if you liked.

@flourella Absolutely have no problem talking about it in detail feel free to message me on here! I never go out or see anyone so I definitely feel you with the isolation 😔