Please help with psychiatric evaluation

[lenzo]

Can I just get a Psychiatric evaluation?

Could I just get a diagnosis just for what is wrong with me and then get alternative cheaper treatment once I know for sure.

How much would that cost in the SE?

I'm tormented by what is wrong with me and not knowing for sure what the real professionals will say it is. I just know how it affects me and that every problem in my life stems from it. I can't function.

Please help

I would start with your GP to get a referral. The GP may also be able to give you some support with what you are after before you see a psychiatrist.

Are you actually thinking about mental illness or neurodiversity?

Are you happy to discuss what you struggle with on here incase anyone can advise? Completely understand if not, it's a very worrying and personal thing.
You can absolutely go private and discuss your issues with a psychologist, they will then help you navigate what to do next.
Going private is obviously expensive, but if you go through your GP, you can request the right to choose route- which will cut down your waiting time and the nhs will pay. Afaik

I have recently used a private psychiatrist to diagnose my daughter, after she was referred to CAHMS and was endlessly waiting. We are southeast it was very expensive but, once she got her diagnosis and was settled on meds GP has taken over.

I went to the GP and she just put me on a waiting list. She was nice but I'm so all over the place I can't really advocate for myself or function.

I think it's more mental illness, but they put me on a wait list fur ADHD (may be that too).

I can't function, as I can't bear being around other people. I have been so traumatised by people, I have physical reactions to bekmg around situations and people now too.

I really don't see a future anymore.

I just would rather bypass the GP and get at least an understanding about what is wrong with me. I beat myself up about it everyday, that I can't function like others can.

I do t k ow how to choose a Psychiatrist that can diagnose what's wrong with me.

Good on you for taking that step of going to your GP, OP. As you struggle with advocating for yourself, can you take a support person with you? I've done that for a friend before.

I have such bad anxiety I struggle with leaving the house.

I contacted the Priory. I'd rather find out how much it's going to cost, as I've been on a waiting list for years and I'm getting worse. I actually think I have got ADHD as well as mental illness after listening to an expert.

The Priory haven't contacted me back about the assessment. They are meant to be calling by today.

My Mum was in the priory back in the 80s. She was good at masking her schizophrenia and my Dad was told nothing wrong but marriage issues by NHS. It was wonderful but very expensive- I think it cost £1000 a week back then. My Mum under NHS care when she came out.
I think a private referral with a psychiatrist is an excellent idea. The priory might be pricey but you will know you’re getting a quality assessment.
I wish I had thought to do the same. I had undiagnosed bipolar all my life and when I went to GP with feeling not ok and physical health issues resulting from associated stress of it all, I thought I was over complaining but turns out I was chronically under complaining. It too an episode of hypomania and being sectioned a year ago now to get a diagnosis. I’m still having to live with it but the medication has worked absolute magic.

Wishing you all the best with it all.

@DucksandGeese Aaah I'm so glad you have got a diagnosis and the medication is working. I'm only sorry it took that to get you the help. I've tried and tried for years and I just can't do it anymore.

I ended up the floor after losing consciousness twice last week, waking up not knowing where I was and surrounded by worried strangers. Very embarrassing and has scared me into trying to get help asap.

I'm anxious that the Priory aren't going to contact me today now and I'll feel lost again. I'm rubbish at handling situations. Part of the condition I guess!

Rethink may be able to help you and offer advice, some hospitals also take self referrals, what's your local health authority.

I find it helps to plan my next steps if someone else has temporary control and that’s making me anxious - like waiting for a phonecall from doctor etc. When will I call again to chase, what will I do if I don’t get a satisfactory outcome.
In your current situation, I would decide a time to chase a call either around 3.30/4pm today or first thing tomorrow depending on what feels appropriate. I would also write down what I wanted to say so it was concise, thought-through, conveyed what I wanted to say and I remembered any questions I wanted to ask. I would also come up with back up plan - eg other psychology option. Would your GP be able to recommend one for example. Is there a directory online of qualified psychiatrists who are members of a relevant, regulated body.
Then whenever I felt anxious I would read my plan and maybe make some tweaks.

I am sure they will call if they say they would.

@MissMoneyFairy Thank you, I will try Rethink - Mind we're useless for me.

@DucksandGeese Such brilliant advice. Some of it like writing my words down beforehand is what I've used to cope in the past. Writing out the plan of how to handle is great! I'm not sure what this is but I have deep shame and embarrassment when asking for help and that is why I give up at times. I'm not sure why!

@MissMoneyFairy I don't know my local health authority. I'll have to type my area and see if that tells me

Where do you live, we may be able to help you navigate and signpost

There should be a crisis line fir MH in your area. Also the charity Mind. They have branches all over. Rethink is another MH charity.

I can’t bear needing help especially medical help. I do know why for me but that doesn’t stop me feeling that way. It’s an awful way to feel. I felt it much less than I used to but if someone is grumpy or dismissive, it’s near unbearable for me. My DH is in a medical profession so I’m lucky to be able roll him out when needed. Even he and I didn’t realise how ill I was though until my brain went ping.

Don’t give up on The Priory. If they don’t contact you today then chase it up with them. It’s easy for things to slip through the net but they are really professional in my experience.
Good luck

@MissMoneyFairy I'm in Surrey.

@Pickandmixmood The lady who answered from The Priory was wonderful and yes I would prefer there as they can also do assessments for ADHD after the initial assessment. I will chase as you're another person who has said they are great.

My brain started thinking oh they wanted to know if I would be getting treatment from them, and when I said I am prioritising diagnosis for now due to finances, I started thinking I wonder if now they won't bother with me. This is probably my mental health speaking, but that's the way my mind starts thinking. Again I'm not sure why I feel like this.

@DucksandGeese you get it! Unfortunately I just have people who are frustrated with me!

I'd find a private clinical psychologist and ask for an assessment and formulation of your difficulties. It's unlikely to be 'here's the problem and this is the treatment', as your difficulties might be the interaction between different problems. For instance ADHD predisposes for trauma developing if exposed to trauma events. Be aware that the collapsing events although they may have psychological cause, might require a neurologist evaluation.
None of this is easy or cheap, in fact with some conditions you might feel like barriers are actively being put in the way of you getting help or diagnosis, and none of it will be easy to move forward with. Just be aware and be realistic. You have to become your own expert these days.

these people may be able to offer you some help too
https://www.sabp.nhs.uk/our-services/mental-health

@Runskiyoga This is what I've thought for many years. I've had no real help, so what's the point in trying to get help, as the barriers are plentiful.

Why would you suggest a private clinical psychologist isn't that what I would be having at the Priory? I'm overwhelmed at the differences.

@MissMoneyFairy Thank you for this.

I did a self referral from a list the GP gave me once at the, it was CBT which I loathe and I couldn't stand the therapist from the initial consultation, so I gave up!

I begged for real help for trauma and the GP said you have to do the CBT first. So I gave up.

@MissMoneyFairy so thank you so much for this link as it has things I'm going to try that I've never seen before.

https://www.priorygroup.com/mental-health/autism/autism-assessments#online-autism-test
this is the website for the Priory in Woking, telling you how much an assessment costs, depending on who does it. Try not to get too bogged down with all the information, it may make you feel more anxious and overwhelmed with everything. Take some time to read through what they offer and I would suggest you call the nhs website too.

Omg @MissMoneyFairy I literally cannot thank you enough. This link will really help me, as I have been worrying about costs and went on the website and didn't see this. Not even the lovely woman who answered the phone told me there was this info on the site.

But yes you really understand, I shut down when I am overwhelmed with too much information. I need to stick to this plan. Many have said they are great and now I can have a view of what to expect from costs.

You have really made my day. Please have a lovely evening.