The NHS can't help me!

[MycatsaPirate]

I was diagnosed with depression in my late 20's and am now nearly 50, I have anxiety problems and a CBT counsellor plus my GP have both said they suspect PTSD.

However, no one can offer me the therapy I desperately need. My life is practically confined to my home unless my partner and child are with me but I am turning into a hermit who barely goes anywhere due to the huge difficulty being around other people, especially crowds.

Steps to Wellbeing was set up by the Government to offer help to those with less severe problems, to get people back to work if they were off sick after the loss of a relative or were stressed according to my GP. They don't offer help for anything more serious except to those at the far end, those who need to be sectioned or are in a psychiatric unit.

Those in the middle are just offered medication. I have been through several types, changed dosages etc. Yet I am still struggling.

I have been told to go private. I don't work as combined with my mental health problems, I have physical problems as well. So where do I get the money to pay someone £80 an hour or whatever it will cost?

I feel like I am now doomed to a life not lived, a head full of bad memories, a life lived without proper happiness.

I really have no clue where to turn to now.

Try MIND to see if they can help.

Also look at BACP for counsellors in your area. They might not be £80/hour.

Have you thought about telephone or Skype sessions with a counsellor? It might be cheaper.

hi OP
have you asked your GP to refer to psychotherapy.
I was accepted after I had had counselling, CBT, and long term anti depressants on the NHS and counselling one to one through a charity, group therapy at reduced prices, and a charity run support group. This all took about 20 years of my going back and forth to the GP, and eventually saying explicitly that I wanted a referral to psychotherapy.
could you try that?

have you tried this? you can get it on the nhs. good luck

www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/our-services-hospitals/mental-health/intensive-psychological-therapies-ipts

(sorry link wont work)

Thank you all so much for the replies.

I have asked for therapy and been told I nee to go through Steps to Wellbeing Steps to wellbeing offer cbt,

I will take a look at the website and head back to the GP.

I wish I could pay for anything private but my pip is going through tribunal and I have no money to spare.