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.

Thank you, I will try that.

Thank you.

Have you tried typing out what you want to say and just handing over your note?

You are very clear in written language about just how bad you feel, the complexities of your life, how many treatments you have tried and that you really want to make every effort to feel better.

I have tried but I find my GP just glances over it and then goes straight to discussing antidepressants or CBT.

I'd understand if it was the beginning of this journey but it's like a groundhog day scenario, same conversation year in year out and despite trying these things I'm still in this stale mate situation.

But maybe I'm expecting too much, I honestly don't know anymore.

This. CBT tends to focus on what you are feeling but not why. Insight and making sense of historic issues can be hugely beneficial. For some.

Keep hold of your list! Or bring two!

You also definitely need to have on your list how many times you have tried CBT before and your long list of antidepressants.

Otherwise they are just treating this like a first presentation of anxiety, not 'I've done all of those things multiple times already and need specialist help now'

I can’t link right now, but if you Google “low cost counselling Essex” quite a few options come up. Apologies if you’ve already done that.

Thank you. I'll try doing that.

Gosh I'm in exactly the same boat as you with CBT and NHs I've had approximately 7 lots of 6/8 sessions about a year apart.
I spent my entire life being put on one antidepressant after another ,only for them not to work ,or by the time they arrived for me to take I didn't feel depressed.
I have mood swings that only recently I realised were autistic shutdowns.
I got diagnosed with autism 3 years ago ,and for a long time didn't really think it was the correct diagnosis for me .
I have my ADHD asessment on Tuesday
But yeah that's all I get offered is CBT ..
When I do actually take the antidepressants they zombie me ,which I believe has a name of emotional blunting ..and I just feel less with it ,than I usually do .
I'm pinning all my hopes on some ADHD meds sorting me out

You don’t trust your GP. So I’d sort that first and try to move GP or surgery. It’s best to feel you have a productive or at least sympathetic first contact with the health service.

You sound incredibly resilient with everything that you have going on. It must be very hard watching your mum deteriorate over the years. It is emotionally challenging and physically draining. I am sure some support or advice from Alzheimer’s Society would be helpful. As I said I know it’s not the whole picture but there will be people there who understand this impact on your life.

I totally understand you feeling that social activities are hard work with everything you have going on - just wondered if there was somewhere you could retreat to for some respite to your stresses. something you could look forward to as a carefree time - deducted time to watch a tv programme/boxset or cinema trip (I get very engrossed in a movie and no one can contact me!). A cafe which does a lovely coffee or cake, nice woodland walk or museum/gallery. Just somewhere where you are not on call to anyone or anything and it’s just about something you like for you (no talking if you prefer!)

I do wonder if a conversation with someone with more specialist knowledge on medication would help. So def ask GP for referral or private if you can…..

Also can you get support for every day stuff - do your adult kids still live at home. Can they help clean & cook? I get the sense your shoulders are heavy with a lot leaning on you? If you are a carer for your mum is their support you could access (eg benefits or help with cleaning). It doesn’t sound like you’re not coping but you could do with some space as mentioned above. Somethings that might lighten the load around you.

I have experienced the exact same thing. Diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety disorder 12 years ago. Been on 5 antidepressants at various dosages, tried CBT and talking therapies. Been taken to a&e twice by people for suicidal thoughts. I turn up at the GP every year and cry and beg for help, but they have never offered me anything else, not even a mental health team or a psychiatrist for different medications. I tell them how awful I feel and it's like talking to a brick wall. This is multiple GPs. I am so tired of it and really feeling done with life.

So yeah just wanted to say you're not alone.

What about CfD through IAPT? It's person-centred therapy.

There are few rent types of meds to try for adhd. I've come off antidepressants completely for the first time in twenty years after starting the adhd meds that worked for me. Also, we were told by a CAMHS therapist that CBT doesn't work well on ND people. It certainly didn't work for myself or both my daughters (diagnosed ND) or my sister (undiagnosed but totally inattentive adhd). I would start looking into adhd as an understanding of that might actually help you.

Another one saying you’re not alone, tried various anti depressants which all gave me horrible side effects. (When I explain this to my GP they don’t believe me) had dark thoughts for a few years now. Had depression for many years. Lots of CBT and counselling. I want a referral to secondary services but it really seems impossible. I can’t afford to go private and also wouldn’t know how to go about it. I thought it was just my area (Yorkshire) as funding for all services is very minimal here but seems it’s everywhere

@Hogwartsianthat sounds really scary 😥

I'm sorry, I don't have any advice because I am in a similar position and don't feel like there is any useful help. I have a similar mental health history and diagnosed with adhd. I'm struggling at the moment and have just been offered cbt or antidepressants by the GP. I know neither work for me but there's nothing else.
I'm sorry I can't offer any help but thank you for posting this.

I can totally empathise, it's no fun at all, is it?

I really hope the assessment goes well for you, good luck.

My heart goes out to you, there must be so many of us suffering in silence and getting nowhere. The NHS seems to have this one size fits all when it comes to CBT.

I am so sorry you are struggling too, I wish there was an answer for us, I really do. We really don't want to live like this do we, it's taking so many precious years from us.

I have had CBT for depression but that seems to be all they offer via our IAPT, or at least that's all they have offered me.

Thank you.

I really struggle with the adhd diagnosis as I feel GPs don't really want to discuss it and family and friends all roll their eyes and tell me that 'Oh, isn't everyone getting a diagnosis these days' so I have sort of shelved the whole thing and not given it much thought (even though I scored very highly at the assessment).

I do need to start looking into this more.

Good to hear the adhd meds ae working for you, did you suffer any side effects?

As usual, it's probably a post code lottery in terms of what regions get funding for various forms of treatment. So unfair. CBT doesn't work for everyone. That's my criticism of the NHS.

I really feel for you, private services in this area are so out of my budget and must be for many of us.

We just end up spending years going round in circles, having the same conversations with our GPs, it's beyond frustrating.

I am so sorry you struggle too, there must be so many of us secretly struggling with this.

Same here
That's the response I get trying to discuss my autism diagnosis, haven't bothered telling anyone about the ADHD asessment