Private mental health services

[Greedybilly]

Has anyone ever paid for any private mental health services - I.e the Priory? Or to see a psychiatrist? (I don't mean just private counselling). If so , did it help? I'm so done with the NHS which is making things worse. Thanks

I think I spent about 450 on an initial consultation and then 200 or so for 5 further meetings with a fabulous Consultant psychiatrist, who I would recommend but she is no longer doing private work.

It saved my life. She gave me a diagnosis and then tried various medication options. Once I was felt to be on the right ones, the GP agreed to take on the prescriptions and I have been pretty stable since. Beforehand, I had gone through 10 different anti ds in 10 years. Now, I take an AD, along with a mood stabiliser and an anti psychotic. I am under the care of NHS psychiatry now (they wouldn’t take me on before) but this is bi annual with their pharmacist, haven’t seen a psych with them. But definitely worth it!

@Britneyfan thanks so much I really appreciate your comments and experience. X

@FatCatatPaddingtonStation thanks for your comments - much appreciated and glad ur doing ok.x

You’re welcome OP, I hope you get the help you need! Xx

I have spent time in a private mental health hospital.
My first psychiatrist was awful, luckily I managed to change and the second one almost certainly changed my life.
With regards to the hospital it wasn't great to be honest, but it did keep me safe and stabilised me.
Happy to answer any questions you may have.

@Greedybilly your history sounds similar to mine. I have experienced both NHS and private mental health treatment. I'm not one to criticise the NHS but mental health provision is not good. Not their fault, they are underfunded. I have used the Priory several times over the past 30 years. Inpatient and outpatient. Self funded and on insurance. My experiences have been pretty good. I had a crisis 2 years ago and am slowly recovering. I now pay to see my psychiatrist about every 4 weeks. He has prescribed a variety of meds, all of which were good options I think but with a variety of success as it's really a lot of trial and error. I also pay to see a menopause specialist, and to be honest I think it's the HRT that has tipped the balance. Is that something that could be relevant to you? Good luck, it's shit.

@SameKeyThough and @Gigi20 thanks so much for your replies. I'm still dithering but really appreciate your thoughts.x

Hello OP. I have had some inpatient stays at the priory north London, and see my psychiatrist now on zoom monthly and have for about three years now. I recommend it 100%. Not least because you get proper time with them and can build up relationships. The priory, my psychiatrist, and my therapist (also through priory, on zoom) have saved my life.

As another pp, I'm also a mental health nurse. When you say you're "so up and down" what do you mean- do you find that your emotions always very up and down over the space of hours and minutes? Or are your moods up and down but they last longer? You've not said anything that suggests bipolar but I'm aware you haven't told us everything.
I work in the NHS and I'm painfully aware how we fall short of the care we should be giving, but honestly all of the private mental health inpatient services I've dealt with have been crap - do with that what you will.

Did you get some help @Greedybilly ?
If you are still considering the Priory, just wanted to share that my experience with them has been quite positive. My psychiatrist has been so kind and supportive and even rung between appointments to check how I was getting on. I had a 28 day inpatient stay as well which probably saved my life at the time, although things have gone down hill again since I left.
If you are still struggling and can afford it then I would definitely recommend giving them a try. NHS MH services are completely useless nowadays.
Best of luck