A&E is useless and so is GP

[iloveallthis]

Just wondering if anyone struggling with mental health has found actual help. Three different SSRI's haven't worked. Neither has counselling.

Several cpns, psychiatrist, hospital stays, near fatal suicide attempts, low does it ssri only, talk at you and ignore the crucial things you want to be heard with. Sorry no help, but your not alone.

Nope, Not via NHS, only private

Went to private GP today and they sent her (Dd) to A&E

Pointless going to A&E anytime but especially so on a Friday night.

A&E is a reasonable way to access CAHMS in a crisis situation.

It is NOT a quick way though.

Presumably it’s an emergency though. Where else do you want them to signpost her to on a Friday night?

She is over 18 now but CAMHS were no help either.

How do you access private help if a private GP refers you to A&E

I’m so sorry that your DD is going through this. 💐 When you say “access private help,” what type of referral do you want for her? Does she need to see a psychiatrist? Can’t the private GP recommend someone?

I'm not sure I was thinking maybe a clinical psychologist.

i have spent years and years trying to get help... its a vicious circle! i get low, do silly things, see the GP.. they fill me with pills, put me on a waiting list.. finally get 'triaged' and hey presto... we are very sorry, your needs are too complex and we cannot offer you the support you need. of course i can go private if i wish.. because i am high functioning! i work when i am well..

i've jested many a time that the only way i would get any help would be if i stood on a bridge and threatened to jump... but even then, it would be a sticking plaster.. they would promise help... get me off the bridge.. and hey presto.. no more help.

the MH service is shocking

@beckybarefoot Do you think it’s mainly a lack of trained practitioners, I.e., there’s just not enough psychologists and psychiatrists to meet people’s needs?

@BruFord sometimes it feels like they think you just want some evidence for a PIP claim.

Mental health professionals saying things like "so you feel like hurting yourself but you haven't done it yet?"

It's so frustrating because she is told if you have ideas of self harm attend A&E but if you haven't already done it A&E aren't interested.

I really don't think A&E is the correct setting for people with mental health issues.

Have u tried ringing 111 option 2 for mental health, when I was rock bottom and felt I had nowhere else to turn they were amazing xx

Op I m so sorry to hear that you and your dd are struggling to get help. Believe me you re not alone. My dd went to a&e numerous times but they just kept telling her to go home and wait till Monday to see a gp or nurse! Only eventually my dd left home to call 999 then a police car collected. Then she was assessed by a psychiatrist as a result she was taken to a MH unit and spent several months there. Glad that my dd is a lot more recovered atm. Unfortunately from our experience only police has the power to get someone assessed by psychiatrist quickly. My heart goes to anyone who is struggling to get medical attention with MH.

Clinical psychology on the NHS is often only accessible via secondary care multi disciplinary teams. This means an assessment team must deem your daughter to be experiencing severe and enduring MH difficulties and be at risk of harm. GPs can refer to this service directly in some areas and via the assessment team in others.

Can you afford private clinical psychology? Search the BPS register for someone also registered with the hcpc.

it is quite often an illness without many options in terms of treatment. People expect treatment to work, but quite often, treatment for mental health problems has limited effect.

Unfortunately my experience of NHS mental health is that it's a crisis only service. It's designed to keep people physically alive until tomorrow. Not really treat the actual underlying illness/ think about next week.

If you can find a way to afford private, I'd take her to a private psychiatrist first + ask what they recommend in terms of psychology. It might be that they recommend doing it concurrently.

It's wrong that this is the case x

@5475878237NC Thank you that's very helpful.

How do I decide if she should see a Psychiatrist or a Psychologist. Can anyone advise?

There are several other classes of antidepressants other than SSRIs that are widely prescribed by GPs. That they’ve kept trying the same class is ridiculous.

Good luck OP, must be so hard for you

I’m no expert but psychiatrist I believe can prescribe a wide range of medication so likely your best bet

Can you say anymore about what the situation is at the moment?

having been through several rounds myself, my psychiatrist has been a literal life saver

This is very true. Just as with physical illness there's often nothing that can be done it's the same for mental health. And because of limited funding, services prioritise people that they can help quickly and cheaply.

OP, definitely get an appointment with a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with 4 extra years of specialized training and will be the most qualified to give you a diagnosis and can prescribe medication.

GP has said that they can only prescribe SSRI's and anything different would have to come from secondary care. She is on awaiting list for secondary care but have been told it's around 8 months.

She has had a very traumatic experience which is why I think psychologist. Tablets aren't going to be the answer alone but it would need to be someone very experienced.

well, a psychiatrist is a medically qualified specialist, and a psychologist is anyone who fancies calling themselves a psychologist, so definitely a psychiatrist if you can afford one

OP, hope it’s ok to ask a question on your thread - Amlever, would you mind explaining what antidepressants are available other than SSRIs please?