CPTSD and private healthcare

[jt92]

I wondered if anyone with prior experience could shed some light on a situation.

My wife currently has an appointment booked with a mental health nurse on 20th August regarding the possibility of her having having CPTSD. After this appointment it's then decided by the mental health nurse she speaks to as to whether or not she gets to see the psychiatrist for an official diagnosis.

After probing for further information she has found out that if referred to a psychiatrist after that appointment that the waiting list to see one is at least 7 months currently on the NHS.

She is keen to get a diagnosis as soon as possible if there is going to be one so has been exploring going private in order to obtain one. If she did this and they diagnosed her with CPTSD and she then at any point became pregnant and was referred to the perinatal mental health team, Does anyone know if the perinatal mental health team and an NHS GP would accept the diagnosis if it came from private healthcare rather than the NHS? And also if she was then prescribed medication from the private healthcare would there be any issues in her maintaining the use of such medication whilst carrying the child. For more specific information the private healthcare group that she has approached is Priory Healthcare group.

Also If she did this and was prescribed medication by the private healthcare would the NHS be happy to accept such a diagnosis and provide treatment for it and any associated medications.

Thanks in advance for anyone who responds.

I was under a perinatal MH team and work in MH on the NHS. I have CPTSD.

Having a specific diagnosis as assessed by a private healthcare provider won’t make any difference to the care she receives from the perinatal team.

someone asked a similar question regarding a PTSD diagnosis on another thread on this board. A poster gave a very thorough answer so I suggest you have a look at it

The perinatal team will assess her and come up with a plan at that time. Your wife’s needs and priorities may change over time so it is best to deal with it in this way, rather than obtain a diagnosis and that be the sole guiding light of treatment for years to come.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/feeling_depressed/5140957-ptsd?reply=137505752

I have a number of mental health conditions diagnosed by a private psychiatrist, including PTSD. He also prescribes all my meds. I was referred to the perinatal mental health team when pregnant and had an assessment but they were pretty much happy to have limited involvement and let my private psychiatrist manage it all. He wrote to them from time to time to provide updates and spoke to my midwife once or twice but other than that, nothing really. I think they were just grateful that it freed up some resources for people who weren't as lucky as me. I saw them twice during pregnancy I think; the useful bit was towards the end when the perinatal consultant gave clear instructions as to the birth arrangements to minimise the impact on my PTSD including a private room and accelerated discharge which both happened.

When I was referred to perinatal mental health services I saw a psychiatrist at my first appointment i already had a diagnosis of GAD after seeing this psychiatrist she diagnosed me with CPTSD. I thank the perinatal mental health services because if it wasn't for them I'd still not have a proper diagnosis.