What exactly is social prescribing? I really don’t want this right now.

[Whostolemyporkpie]

I have anxiety, depression, ocd, panic disorder and an eating disorder. I have suffered with most of this since childhood but the last few years have been just awful.

I developed IBS at the age of 25 and again, the last 5 or so years has seen a huge exacerbation of my symptoms to the point they are every day and dictating my life.

I have had endless gastro tests which have (thankfully) returned clear/normal but these god awful gut issues still have a huge impact on my day to day life regardless of how much effort I have put in to try and alleviate things.

A year ago, my gastroenterologist referred me to a London hospital to see a neuro-gastroenterologist for psychiatric and psychological help. I have had just a few appointments over the year (due to long waiting times in between) with a dietician and psychiatrist. They both conclude that I have a lot of issues to go through especially the eating disorder and how the IBS has exacerbated my depression to the point that I am almost to the point of being agoraphobic.
They are both in agreement that I need ongoing treatment and support with them and I have also been awaiting some psychological treatment via their team since October 22 (still not had an appointment through yet).

However, during a MDT meeting this week, the neuro-gastroenterologist I am under and have spoken to just twice has decided I should be discharged from their services and has sent a letter to my GP asking for me to be considered for Social Prescibing. I have googled my area and can find very little on this.

I am gutted tbh. I feel the neuro-gastroenterologist has never listened to me thoroughly, she speaks over me during the consultations (always a telephone appointment), gets all the details wrong in the subsequent letters to me (even spells my name completely wrong) and I feel has no understanding or regard of my current situation. The dietician, who is absolutely lovely agreed with me and said he would try and get me transferred over to a different neuro-gastroenterologist but it looks as though his decision has been overruled.

I am not in the right frame of mind to go mixing with other people right now, I am at the lowest I have ever been, I am gutted at this decision, absolutely gutted.

When I worked at my GP surgery the 3 social prescribers handled personal health, wellbeing, community engagement and helping with medication / prescriptions.

They are the bridge between you and accessing local support that you may not know of or be able to access yourself to help you.

They give mainly time and supper when people are struggling with their health and maybe have little or no support network

The issues you face can be horrible but they are made worse during to your low mood. It is a vicious cycle. From what you have said, it sounds like there is nothing they can do in regards to your symptoms physically and they have suggested you work on your mental health.

Social prescribing means helping your mood while also doing things in the community. It is daunting at first but a really great way to help you without the stigma of "mental health issues". They should have explained this to you but I would not knock it until you try it. What harm would it do?

Thanks bellsandwhistles333 maybe I’m jumping the gun, I was panicking thinking they were going to suggest I join group sessions or activities which I just can’t face right now.

Mehmeh22 but that’s the whole point of the department, they are the neuro-gastro specialists, they focus on the psychological not the physical. They promised me psychological help and haven’t offered it to me and are now sending me back to my GP who have not been able to offer any psychological help at all. I feel like I am going round in circles.
There is no way I can go out in the community right now as I need the loo so much and am in pain all the time.

Can you describe exactly the support that you hoped to get from them? It might be that this is available in the community, eg run by local organisations and charities.

Social prescribing isn’t about SOCIAL STUFF per se. It’s a daft phrase to be honest. It’s really link workers connecting you with what can be excellent services in the charity sector and similar.

lots can be done virtually now too.

Upsizer Back in October 22 the department offered me Autogenic training and said this would help me but I’ve heard nothing since. They said they would help me with my depression and offer some kind of therapy to help break the gut/brain connection (was told the autogenic training may help this) and the dietician was going to help me with my ARFID but it seems they have now backtracked, I’ve been under their ‘care’ for a year and have had approx 4 appointments during which ‘plans’ have been discussed but no action has actually taken place and now I’m being referred back to my local GP. I will remain open minded for the time being but so far all my GP has suggested is that I call 111 if I am feeling very low.

If you’ve researched the autogenic training and think this might help, can you either go private or ask your GP if this is provided by the NHS locally and who would do it? Or maybe even self refer to secondary services that offer this?

Upsizer Sadly, I have no money for private services, I was made redundant 3 weeks ago. My GP is clueless when it comes to help. I was under the belief that the whole point of being referred to the London hospital was to gain help
via them but they appear to have back tracked on their plans for me, after just a handful of telephone consultations and promises of further help they now appeared to have discharged me. I feel I am back to square one. It’s extremely disheartening. From where I stand right now it feels only those who can afford to self fund can get long term help.

Have you tried asking your local PALS service for the commissioning organisation? (ICS). I think if you feel that the autogenic work is right for you, then find out who provides that locally on the NHS. You may well be able to self refer. But you will need to be more proactive in self advocacy.

I had some health coaching through social prescription. It was 1-1 and done over the phone. Was sceptical at first but found it to be really useful and worthwhile. Maybe they offer something similar in your area?

Upsizer Thank you, I haven’t tried PALS, I will look into that. It’s so hard to be proactive when you are mentally (and physically) at rock bottom and constantly up against brick walls. I’m so very disappointed in the UCLH, I can not quite see the point of my referral to this specialist department only for them to refer me back to my gp after just a few telephone conversations?
That’s reassuring Synecdoche, I will wait to hear from my GP surgery and hope they may be able to suggest something.