What to expect from a CPN?

[Nbg]

I've just had my appointment through for my first visit with the CPN.
Beacuse of my anxiety issues the appointment is at home.

Seeing the envelope made me anxious so I need to get some idea of what to expect.

nbg - dont stress about it. it wil probably just be an informal chat. i was worried so i rang mine beforehand to ask what would the 1st visit entail. she was great about it and said it would just be a chat etc. our visits are about an hour long, informal and more a catch up with how i am doing, what has been going on for me and if i have been able to apply any of teh ideas we talked about at her last visit.
x

And I'm not putting this in "feeling depressed" because I am not feeling depressed

Right, that doesnt sound too bad.

I get anxious when I talk about my problems though.
I guess thats part of it really.

God I sound like a right thing dont I.

Message withdrawn

Is she?
Can you send her up here.

I'm seeing a Danny.

Danny's are young in my mind.
It will be weird spilling all my mental guff to some young fit man who's probably the same age as me

My mum and uncle both had CPN's. they were all lovely - more like friends then anything else. If you find that you don't gel with yours, you can always ask for a different one

Mine was rubbish, never came round, never phoned, never got back to me after I had left mesages. She knew I was going through a really crappy time and needed her support. About 6 months later I got a letter saying ' as you have not used our services we assumed you don't need us and are discharging you'
Decided after that nobody was interested in hearing my crap,so dont bother talking about it anymore.

Sounds like yours is at least interested and making an effort to come and see you. Good luck and hope you are feeling better soon

Oh hell!
Fio?

I have had a real battle up until now mind.
I've got a real phobia of medical things and I cant bring myself to go into the Doctors.
When my 6 week post natal check was due back in January I called my gp to ask if I could have a home visit and made sure I called well in advance. This dr knew about my issues and had previously referred me for CBT.
Anyway when I asked her she stopped me mid sentace and said she wasnt buying into all this avoidance rubbish and I was to go to the surgery.
It was horrendous and just made things worse for me.

Its only until my dh went and spoke to another dr that I have managed to get some help.
Unfortunatley I have found out that this dr has left the surgery
So I have no other back up after my CPN.

Yeh I find that the only time I find a dr who listens and understands/ wants to try and help, they end up leaving or were just a locum covering on that day.
I also really really dread having to go there or even phoning them up, usually have to make dp do it for me.

I work in mental health and in my opinion, Nbg, the CPN will be better trained regarding your mental health needs than the GP; some of whom in my expereince don't have a huge interest in mental health or the time to spend helping you through your difficulties.

Your first visit will really be a getting to know each other session and you can disclose as much or as little as you want then. The CPN will help monitor your progress, give you support and encouragement and so nothing to become anxious about. If you are takingmedication, they can monitor how you are managing with that too.

The other thing to remember is that the CPN will be working as part of a multi-disciplinarary team, so if you do need further specialist help, they are in a good position to refer you to the appropriate professional.

Best of luck!

I would have thought that if you had been allocated a CPN then you would also have an RMO (responsible medical officer) who 'looks after' your care. You may never see the RMO and see staff grade or SHO docs at appointments. Perhaps clarify this with your CPN at the meeting.
One of the most helpful things for you may be to explore what support there is for you in the event of your CPN being unavailable, eg holidays, evenings and nights, weekends and public holidays.
Your CPN will have a huge amount of experience and be well versed in numerous coping and educational strategies, and will also be a great source of finding extra support for your family, if this is needed.
Hope it goes well.

Thanks summer and hubarb. Thats reassuring

How often will I see him?

I also have seen a cpn regarding anxiety issues. She was lovely, she came to the house as my ds was still only a few months (it was a post-natal thing, but not depression). The visits lasted about an hour, we chatted about what was going on for me and then discussed strategies etc. She only came 3 times (about once a fortnight) but thats because I was so much better by then, you kind of negotiate with the cpn when its time to stop etc.

For me, the biggest challenge is to try and accept the fact that I do get anxious from time to time, rather than trying to fight it, IYSWIM.

Good luck, hope it goes well, I expect it will!

Thank you apprentice.

I hope it works as quickly for me!
I've had enough of it now.