Who to seek out for mental health issues?

[SwansAreMajestic]

Please can I start off with, please do not be alarmed, I don't mean to worry anyone. I am laying out what I need addressing because I am honestly clueless and I can't see a GP right now and I am looking to go privately anyway as the NHS has not helped me, whilst there are many wonderful people within the NHS, the mental health services have been wholly inadequate and despite CBT and some other things, I have not really improved despite trying to get help for 10+ years.
So I really need some help regarding my mental health issues, I suspect or have been advised I may potentially be/or am having issues such as :

• Autism
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• PTSD
• Self-harm

I want to be tested properly for these conditions, I wish to be taken seriously as I've had more than 1 GP in the past dismiss me and a suicide attempt was not addressed properly afterwards. I know this is very heavy stuff, I do apologise. However, if anyone knows what type of specialist to go see or even how to get the proper help via the NHS (I am willing to try them again if someone can point me correctly), please let me know. I've been looking at psychiatrists, psychologists etc and whilst I get more of the gist what each can do, I know psychiatrists are mainly GP referral based, even privately.

Basically, I just once and for all want to be seen and sorted as this has been going on for far too long, I want to start living properly :)

Thank you for reading

I asked my GP to refer me to an nhs Psychiatrist when I was first unwell & he did, however this was about 2008 so things may have changed.
The Psychiatrist diagnosed my health problems.

But - don't be too quick to get the BPD label, I was diagnosed by a Psychologist with this in 2011 - well it turned out I have Schizoaffective disorder instead & just traits of BPD. But it's a tricky label to shake off.
People (mainly healthcare professionals) will make all kinds of judgements about you without really knowing you & it carries a stigma still unfortunately.

@Terralee I hope it's that easy but I am honestly just really worried. I've had a past GP in another area (up in the NW) who was very dismissive of me and when asked about a psychiatrist I was told there were none in the area via NHS...not sure how true that was?

I don't wish to be labeled, I know of the stigma but I've been struggling so long and had my head in the sand, so to speak. But I recently moved across the country (South Midlands) to be with my partner and it's more apparent than ever to myself and him that I have some serious issues and I can't really go ahead in life because of them. It hasn't helped the bad experiences I've had through the NHS or even privately with some counsellors as it's put me off but I just really want to try to find the help I need but I am just confused on where to start mostly.

So can a psychologist actually diagnose you? Because it's very hard to see a psychiatrist from what I have seen, even privately (plus very expensive!)

There is no test for BPD and frankly you do not want the diagnosis. You will be treated very dismissively by some doctors and many therapists do not work with people who have it. It's not right but that is how it is. I would start by finding a clinical psychologist. They are best placed to deal with the self harm and PTSD. You may have to pay privately. A psychiatrist you have to be referred to, usually by GP or frontline mental health services. Not all areas are covered by NHS. Neither will deal with getting you an autism diagnosis as far as I know, someone else will probably be more knowledgeable there.

A psychologist shouldn't diagnose you (doesn't mean they won't...) as, in theory, a diagnosis should only come from a psychiatrist. If you want to see one privately, you can just ask your GP for a referral letter. They don't have to refer you to a named psychiatrist, they can just do a blanket one which you can then use to shop around. They are expensive but sometimes you'll only need one or two appointments and they can then refer you on to the right kind of therapist for further support.

Hi op, not completely relevant but I was diagnosed for ADHD by Psychiatry UK. Their services are online which may put you off but given the current lockdown situation may not put you off!

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut I have been struggling with finding someone but I think I finally stumbled across a place that sounds very useful, a private centre that offers assessments and counselling amongst other things, it sounds very good actually so I'll be contacting them when they are open to new clients again :) I don't mind paying privately because I've not really got anywhere with the NHS but hopefully a psychologist or similar can assess me and it can be used in the future with my GP if need be?

@mynameiscalypso
I've found a place that can offer assessments and they seem to be well received by the NHS from what I've read, I think this could be a good avenue? It sounds really useful for myself, that maybe at least I could take a report to my GP and then it can go from there? Hopefully, if this does happen they'll take it seriously and give a referral letter or refer me to the right services if I need them :)

@rollerkiwicat
I don't mind online at all! It suits me well as I have a disability so I struggle to go out anyway, but I'll check them out after I've tried this private center that does assessments privately because it sounds ideal for me from what I have been reading about them, I just don't know why it took so long to find this place I've been searching for days and didn't even realise such a place exists but I am very happy about stumbling across it :)

Yes they can and will send a report to your GP. I will caution you again about pressing for a BPD diagnosis. I think it will hinder rather than help you get treatment. A known trait is emotional manipulation of those around them and what tends to happen is that therapists assume you are attempting to manipulate them with suicide threats etc and you will not be well treated. It's not right but is very common and if you can escape the stigma that is a good thing. Good Psychologists treat the person, not the diagnosis but you will get some that are biased. It's not a weight you want to carry if you can help it.

If you are near or can get to Northampton, St Andrews has an outpatient psychiatry dept and they are very good. I looked around for who would be the best fit and I got my GP to write me a referral.

I started seeing my psych there and saw a psychologist as part of my treatment. My psychiatrist then moved to 24 Albion Place, again in Northampton, and I followed him there (I have trust issues and I trust him completely) and again saw another psychologist there and continue to see both. 24 Albion Place is again an outpatient facility with lots of psychiatrists and therapists.

I would genuinely recommend these two places if you are nearby. They can also admit you to other facilities for inpatient treatments if necessary.

I was diagnosed by my psych and put on meds and therapy. I've been seeing him privately for 6 years and I have to see him monthly to keep me in check (I get really out of whack if I don't and my meds are still being tweaked as my cycle changes). The therapy I'm having is DBT and its helpful but a lot of it I already know so I go as and when I need to talk things over and get my head straight.

I am diagnosed as bi-polar and BPD, as well as having chronic anxiety and depression. I am fortunate that I have not had any negative response to my conditions from either therapists, GPs, or anyone else.

I hope you get someone you can trust. In my experience the first session is usually free so that you can see if you are a good "fit" with them. Don't just see someone you don't click with as you need to build up a trust with them.

@mynameiscalypso Clinical Psychologists 100% can diagnose Personality Disorders as well as all other mental health problems

They can, you're absolutely right @KubaLeebre. I'm always just wary of non-clinical psychologists and have had some very dodgy experiences.

The priory have lots of psych’ and outpatient
Therapy one to one or group.
You just need gp referral letter, an open one will do. You don’t have to have a named person on the letter.

You don't necessarily need a referral to see a private psychiatrist, although it may be better to do it via GP referral. Basically they want your money, so a referral isn't everything.

If it's on the NHS you need a referral, and mental health services can just say that you don't qualify for the service anyway.

You can sometimes get medications on the NHS that have been recommended by a private psychiatrist. However, a GP can refuse any prescription they want, even in theory if they are asked to prescribe by NHS specialists.

A prescription might be refused over the cost of the meds to the NHS.

My advice would be to go with symptoms and how you feel in general. Quite a lot of mental illness’s overlap. A mood diary might be helpful.

Keep an open mind and be honest. Don’t go in with the mindset of “well I think I have this, or I definitely have this” etc. I don’t have any experience with private, but I’ve heard from groups I’m in that the nhs doesn’t always recognise a private diagnoses? I could be wrong, just something to think about if you decide to switch over

I’d be careful with a EUPD diagnoses as I’ve heard a lot of people have been treated badly by the cmht. My own cpn admitted it when I asked, as I thought I had traits and confirmed what I thought. But it’s ok because I don’t have it. Kind of did a

I wouldn't bother going in there because getting hit with that BPD/EUPD label is poisonous.

Be wary of pursuing a diagnosis of any PD. It is a label of a collection of behaviours that mean little in terms of what psychological treatments might help. It will mean you are excluded from certain services on the basis that some people with that label do not respond to X...

It is bit like the word picnic, used to describe a collection of food items usually eaten outside in summer! The label doesn't tell you anything about what really goes on or why or when.

I would have a read up on complex trauma OP. A clinical psychologist can help you make sense of your life experiences and develop insight into the ways of coping that are sadly sabotaging your happiness now. This is called formulation and is an alternative to diagnosis.

Best of luck.

Thanks for the replies everyone. It's pretty sad to read how having a PD is seen so judgementally even amongst medical professionals so I won't say anything to anyone about it.
I cannot have an assessment yet because of the lockdown but once things are more open again I'll be going asap :)

Thanks for the replies everyone. It's pretty sad to read how having a PD is seen so judgementally even amongst medical professionals hmm so I won't say anything to anyone about it.

It simultaneously breaks my heart and makes my blood boil. It shouldn't be this way.

Yes it is terrible. Not a Diagnosis of Exclusion white paper years ago is still not really in effect.