Scared

[naughtycat]

I'm really scared that because of CV im going to lose the help I'm receiving from nhs mental health services. Im really scared that the cmht nurses will be redeployed to work in acute care for physically sick patients. (They haven't said this, bug I'm scared it will happen). I've also had a lot of help from the police (they section me when things get really bad) or talk to me on the phone..I'm actually scared about how things will change with the police.

I'm petrified about enforced isolation. I'm socially isolated anyway....but I'm scared. Especially if support services are taken away .

I'm scared that I might actually go completely insane and what I might do to myself. And the thought of having a severe breakdown while in full lockdown is terrifying. And sometimes I think I should just kill myself now.

I live on my own, no partner, no kids, no job (I had a professional job until 2 yrs ago...that's no more). I have literally one friend only (she has a family). I have no one else.

I know this all sounds really selfish, when there is so much suffering in the world right now. But I just wanted to write it down that I'm scared. I know lots of people are scared for different reasons. I'm basically scared that I won't cope and I will end up losing it completely and forever.

Please keep this in mental health and not Coronavirus

I think it’s a real worry. I’m a CMHT practitioner, and as a pregnant asthsmatic with an autoimmune condition I’m not seeing anyone on my caseload. Our focus in my team is home treatment and for me with an unreliable car going on visits using public transport isn’t going to happen for me, it’s too dangerous.
BUT
Telephone contact will be made and I know I can now make more supportive calls to my patients because I’m not travelling, I’m happy to work extra hours and it’s good to check in.
Physical contact will be limited. The police will still be about, and so will dictors and social workers. Face to face is likely to be emergency only and possibly not with your regular practitioner but you can request it.

What do you like doing? I’ve ordered some craft stuff to do during lockdown. I thought it would be enjoyable and take my mind off things.
Also downloaded some new apps onto the tablet
We are going to do yoga and excersise at home
We open the windows every morning
We walk
It will be ok.
I think you should call your CMHT Duty person tomorrow and ask if they can spend ten minutes making a mini plan with you.
What you enjoy
What you can do
What makes you feel safe
Etc

Good luck xxx

You can handle this.

Find some things to do, and continue to reach out (like you’ve done here, to your doctor, friend, etc.) when you’re having a rough time.

I'm scared about some of the same things too. I think lots of us are.

I also live alone and am really isolated. Most of my human contact was with my MH team and suddenly that's gone. I've been crying and panicking even more than usual this week, so you're not alone in feeling scared about even more isolation. If it's any comfort to hear that.

I don't think mental health staff will be redeployed in the way you're worrying about - most likely they will have to stop home visits and your appointments will be over the phone instead (to protect you as much as to protect them). They might have fewer staff for a while but your normal contact will stay in touch and the duty staff will cover for them if that person is off.

It's not the same as the support you were having, and I know it does mess things up and make them harder, but your support is not going to disappear completely. This situation is uncertain but it won't last forever so at some point the face to face support will start again.

I don't know if it's reassuring at all, but I read the emergency legislation they're planning to pass and it includes some provisions to make sure mental health care continues to operate even if it's struggling to maintain staffing levels due to sickness. So I don't think closing down mental health teams will happen because they're busy making plans to ensure mental health care continues.

Plus it's important to continue supporting people struggling and suffering like you are because nobody wants things to get worse for you. They won't abandon you.

It's ok to be frightened and worried about how you're going to manage this. It doesn't make you selfish, it just makes you human. You have a lot of very valid reasons to be scared and distressed right now. I'm sorry life has been so tough on you.

Wow user .....thank you so much for you're detailed and reassuring post.

Thank you Cake.

Thank you Unexpected......what you said is exactly what my cpn would say!!

So I found out today, they will be continuing my support, which I'm really really pleased about. It will be by phone instead of face to face which is totally understandable.

My cpn is actually going to continue to support me in my efforts to get back in to employment! Which is great in the circumstances.

I was able to talk to her about my fear of isolation and she understood.

I feel incredibly lucky to have my cpn right now. We won't be having anymore face to face visits, but we will have regular phone contact, and she will tell me about what resources will continue to operate in my city for coping with crisis

I wish I could give you a solution but I just wanted to tell you you're not alone.
I suffer with health anxiety and have been unwell recently with UTIS and kidney stone (sounds trivial but combined with health anxiety, horrible).
I feel so freaked out that I'm going to be ill.
It's scary but dealing with mental health issues as well makes it so so much worse.
You're not alone x

My cpn is actually going to continue to support me in my efforts to get back in to employment!

Fantastic Your CPN sounds great, I'm really glad you've got her support. And it sounds like a lot of thought has gone into making sure you still feel supported.

Feeling heard and understood can make such a huge difference.