Confidentiality and how far does it go?

[Nabster]

I have my appointment on Friday and I am wondering what I can say before they will wonder about taking my kids from me?

I seriously need help, I would never hurt my kids, but worry about being really honest will make them think they are not safe with me.

I gotta have a break from mumsnet - its not doing me any good at the moment, my email is flypusher1 at aol dot com if you need a friendly shoulder. I'll be back but right now im taking stuff too personally and spending far too much time here.

Have emailed you.

you can only get the full help you need by being totally and utterly honest

your children will not be taken away

if every depresssed mother had their children taken away, i reckon about 3/4 of children would not be living with their mothers

be honest and open as you are only as sick as your secrets

you have to take this opportunity with both hands and whatever yoou need to tell them, they will have heard similar before

I hope so.

I feel I am the only one in the world who thinks the things I do.

i can absolutely , categorically assure you that that is not the case

it is because mental health issues are so often swept under the carpet, it is not really the sort of thing that is discussed at toddler groups, that people feel so isolated by their mental health issues

i thinks something like 1 in 4 people will suffer mental health issues at some point in their lives, so you are definitely not alone

also, if it was not a widespread problem, why would their be a need for CPNs, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, counsellors etc

Trying not to think too much about my GPs opinion of psychiatrict services. He isn't impressed.

I want Friday over with but also dreading it. Thank goodness MIL is having the kids Friday night until after tea on Saturday so I can have some space to be on my own as I have no idea how I will feel. I have to expect to be there for 1 1/2 hours.

it is not your GPs decision to make though.

you must not hold back, this is a really positive step, and the start of recovery

Nabster, I work in a mental health team and routinely carry out assessments-probably very similar to the one you are having soon. I frequently hear things that might be described as strange and have quite a few strange thoughts myself at times!

Hobgoblin is right, its important to recognise that you are having intrusive thoughts but this doesn't mean you will act on them.There is a distinction and this should be explored with you.If people have specific plans or intent in relation to their thoughts then this would ring the risk alarm bells.

Any mental health worker cannot guarantee confidentiality but should let you know the few circumstances in which confidentiality can be broken without consent. That is generally if either the person themself or any other person is assessed to be at serious risk of harm.

It is important to tell the worker exactly what the problems are. It will be hard to help you otherwise.

I hope you find the process helpful and best of luck

I think about death/suicide every single day. I want everything to stop hurting so much. I want space. I want to be me again not some miserable person who can barely get through the day. I was hoping the GP would up my tablets but he thinks I am calmer than last time I saw him. I think I am just worn down and have given up tbh.