Does the NHS offers anything other than CBT and if so what criteria do you have to meet in order to be referred?

[ShoopShoopBaDoop]

Because after decades of trying various CBT with different therapists I feel it has done sod all to help me (and I honestly tried so hard).

I currently feel worse than I have ever felt, both physically and mentally and one feeds off the other and vice versa and I have lost the ability to stop the vicious cycle.

Maybe I just don't articulate myself well enough at GP consults but I genuinely don't find CBT helps me at all and yet despite my records clearly showing I have tried it time and time again, this is all I am ever offered.

I have trialled so many different medications which all gave me side effects so bad and that in itself exacerbated the anxiety so I haven't been able to continue with them for more than a few months at a time (Citalopram, Escitalopram, Sertaline, Fluoxetine etc)

I was diagnosed with adhd last year by a private company (via the NHS right to choose). I am loathe to bring this up in conversation with my GP because whenever I mention it she always seems to gloss over this as though she isn't interested (or doesn't agree with the diagnosis?) and I know that it's a controversial subject so I tend to keep the diagnosis close to my chest and tbh I haven't done much with the information since I was diagnosed (the meds made me unwell so I had to stop) and not sure if treatment for inattentive adhd is much different to that for severe anxiety/depression/ocd?

I am not sure what more I can do to help myself.

I suppose if I had money to throw at this I would go see someone private but that's out of the question.

Has anyone else found CBT just hasn't helped them and did you find any alternatives to help?

FWIW:- I don't drink, smoke, do drugs etc. I exercise, I meditate and do yoga every night, listen to the Clam app at bedtime and have to watch what I eat as I have digestive issues. I can't see what more within my control I can add into my life to make it easier and enjoyable.

In my experience (trying to get help for Dh in the past), there are some alternatives (like very experienced psychotherapists in secondary care who will offer other modalities) but they are nearly impossible to get and they will discharge you within an absolutely tiny patch of time.

To be fair he was able to access group therapy. For him that didn’t work but it had some positives and at least it was there.

Are you anywhere near a university city? There are sometimes more options there. If you want to say which county you are in, that would help, or PM me - I’m no expert though. If you have a Mind branch locally they may have more info.

Thank you.

I am in a university city, I am in Essex.

I broke down completely in front of my GP. I was then offered NHS talking therapy for six sessions, increased to eight, that began to help me. The therapist was coming to the end of her training and leaving the NHS but offered me a low cost course to continue therapy with her, which was a life saver. Like you I found CBT useless (but it helped DD) and have had talking therapy in the past but this time I really did strike lucky with someone who broke through the reasons why I felt so depressed and helpless. It really is trial and error I'm afraid. You can only do so much on your own without expert help so I hope you find a therapist you can work with soon.

The NHS does offer more specialist treatment, which I have had but my diagnosis is bipolar, ptsd ocd and deemed at the severe sort of end of MH issues. You have written that you don’t find life enjoyable, is it safe to assume that you have anxiety? what’s the official NHS diagnosis?

To get really in depth specialist assistance is being a danger to yourself and others and them believing you. Even the way people try and kill themsleves means a different sort of assistance I feel. It’s all about your presentation. As my user name suggests I have been unbelievably crazy at times. I won’t write exactly what my behaviours were as it could be triggering or very upsetting for some to read but as mentioned at the severe end. I have been an in patient and been in group therapy. The stuff I heard and saw in those settings, make your toes curl.

You could pay for private psychotherapy it’s probably between £50 to £100 per hour now. I paid for some in the past because even though I can have periods of being very ill I did have for many years a well paying job.

If you can get to London easily from where you are in Essex, there are plenty of low cost therapy options. Just a couple of links. Don’t be put off by the student element - they are supervised very intensively.

There may be a service nearer to you, too. Often they are issue specific e.g. addiction, but sometimes there are more general services.

https://www.metanoia.ac.uk/therapy/metanoia-counselling-and-psychotherapy-service/
https://www.minstercentre.ac.uk/therapy/

you could check if there’s a local IAPT service. You can self refer to get assessed for therapy. I did this post pregnancy when GP dismissed me.
they offer more than CBT.

I’ve reported my own post because I don’t think it’s helpful. I do think the University may have some resources and it might be worth calling the Dept of Psychology, but I think the other posts on this thread are more useful. I think there are some options and I hope you find one x

permanentTemporary Thank you, I will try contacting them.

SunnyAfternoonToday I really need to find someone like that.

WomanintheAttic I do try to explain to GPs just how much this is negatively impacting my life and how I struggle to function daily. I have sat crying and explaining that my life holds no joy at all and life seems pointless but I just don't think I am great at articulating myself, I must look ok I suppose. I always say that I think I present as the Mona Lisa on the outside but with Munch's Scream on the inside (or worse) but of course, no one can see or feel that.
I am on carers allowance as I help care for my mum who has advanced dementia (which is obviously exacerbating my issues), so sadly money is way too tight for any kind of private help.
I am sorry you have been so poorly in the past, I hope you have found some light in your life?

LemonSorbetCone All the therapy ever offered by my GP has been via my local IAPT services, sadly they only offer me CBT.

Please don't feel that way, I am truly grateful for any advice and help, thank you.

What are you looking to change and what (do you think) caused it?

I had 2 years of psychodynamic therapy which changed my life.

This was on the NHS but, like another poster, I'm on the severe end of things.

Best of luck.

That's such a huge question! I didn't know at all what caused my deep depression and anxiety until my therapist explored my relationship with my mother, both in childhood and as an adult. My eyes were well and truly opened and although I still suffer mildly from depression it is nowhere like it was.
The OP probably doesn't know the answer as she hasn't had a good therapist working with her, yet.

I recently got referred by the GP to secondary care and was told my own therapist was better than what they could offer me
This is 10+ years of doing CBT/ therapy/ having depressive episodes and severe anxiety. So honestly i don't think the NHS offers anything worth having and if you can afford private help it's worth it.

Sorry you're struggling so much

There might be some counselling /emotional support offered through carers charity’s or the Alzheimer’s Society might be able to advise. I know you haven’t said caring for your mum as the main issue but don’t underestimate the ongoing strain this must be for you.

It sounds like you’ve tried many options and continue to look after yourself in as many ways as you can. Are there things that you do enjoy - see friends, hobbies, exercise. Can you do more of these ?

I would also look at talking to a different GP who might offer a more supportive approach and wider understanding of your circumstances. Can you be referred to a psychiatrist who might be able to offer you some different anti depressants/anxiety meds beyond what a GP can.

Good idea to explore what else Talking Therapies can offer you apart from
CBT.

Take care

It is (and well done to you and your therapist for unpicking it) but it's important. While it's very understandable to think about everything that's wrong in our lives, what happened in the past and our unhappiness it doesn't achieve anything.

Thinking about what we what to change focuses the mind on the future, and how to make those changes. The most useful word anyone can add to their thinking is 'yet'.

"I can't do X" tells us this situation is fixed, permanent and therefore there's no point in trying.

"I can't do X yet" tells us this is temporary and is going to change at some stage in the future.

I know they do offer trauma therapy. Which I think is different? I know because they turned me away from it saying it would be too traumatising for me?!

what happened in the past and our unhappiness it doesn't achieve anything.

I'm afraid I have to disagree with you here. Without delving into my past and thus the cause of my unhappiness my therapist wouldn't have been able to unpack my adult behavioural patterns. It has achieved more than I could have hoped for.

I self referred through the NHS and was offered talking therapy or CBT - I chose the former but tbh I didn't feel like the therapist was great. (I've had excellent counselling in the past via a work employee assistance scheme so I know what's possible iykwim?)

My understanding is that CBT doesn't really work very well for people with ADHD.

Apologies if you already know this but there are different options for ADHD meds - stimulant and non-stimulant - and it can take time to find the right regime for you so I wouldn't rule out going back to your RTC provider to explore other options.

Have you considered an ADHD coach? A friend used one last year and said it was life changing.

Yes, you're right. Badly worded on my part.

It sounds as if all your mental health care has been within primary care - GP and IAPT. The only bit in secondary care has been your private diagnosis of ADHD, which it seems your GP doesn't know about.

Given you have tried and failed at least 4 different SSRIs I think you have a good case for going back to your GP, saying you have tried CBT numerous times, 4 different antidepressants, aren't any better and could you please be referred to your local mental health team/psychiatrist.

I'm honestly not sure why I have always suffered with poor mental health other than maybe I am simply wired that way and life events have exacerbated things. I really don't know but I've honestly tried my absolute hardest to get myself out of this and yet despite that I am worse now than I ever was. I just feels so futile.

I had a good childhood, parents are still together, although there is lots of poor mental health on my mum's side, she always suffered with anxiety and my grandfather struggled all his life as did his two brothers, one drank himself to death and my grandfather tried to take his own life after the death of my grandmother. Maybe I am predisposed to this, maybe?

I honestly don't really know what to make of my adhd diagnosis, I am not sure if that contributes or is just a piece of the puzzle.

My mum is now in the advanced stages of dementia and that has had a very negative effect on my mental health, as has my perimenopause. I have also struggled for years with poor digestive health and gynae health which turned out to be endometriosis (took 30 years to finally discover this). I find my physical health has a very negative effect on my mental health, I often don't feel well within myself and that really gets me down.

All I have ever wanted is to feel physically and mentally free, that's all. I just want to live a 'normal' life, to be able to work and earn, to go out for a meal with family and friends and enjoy holidays etc. Nothing special, just every day stuff that seems to come so easily to those around me.

But for a long time now I have just wanted to lay in bed all day and not talk to a soul ever again.

Caring for mum and watching her deteriorate so much over the last 6 years has definitely had a very negative impact on my mental health, it kills me to see her like she is now.

I know that I should try hobbies and see people but in if I am honest I am finding just simple conversations with people taxing, I just want to lock myself away from everyone, I am even struggling to talk to my 18 and 20 year old dc which kills me to say. I feel as though I just can not take onboard anyone else's issues or problems right now. I am desperate to lock myself away from everyone.

I do need to go see someone, I will look into talking to someone at Alzheimer's society.

The problem is that when I go anywhere like to see the GP I tend to either not say what I want to for fear of coming across as a pain in the arse or my brain just frazzles and I end up not saying what I really want to.

If you’re in Colchester, try the Turner Centre. I think they will have some psychotherapists or psychodynamic counsellors who do reduced rates. They may also be able to let you know where does NHS referrals.

Tbh, I haven't looked too much into the whole adhd thing as I find it too overwhelming. I was started on a medication but it exacerbated my digestive issues so had to stop and the company never offered anything else.

I haven't considered an adhd coach, I will look into that, thanks.