Camhs anyone??

[onwardandupwards]

We have finally been refered, now dont know what to expect at all, we have seen so many doctors, specialists ect each one says some thing different to the other, any advice is really really welcome!

Hi, I work in CAMHS and maybe if I explain the usual process it might help.

If the referral is judged to be appropriate to CAMHS you will be offered an appointment for an initial assessment of the presenting problems. The assessment is usually around an hour and usually consists of a conversation with one or maybe two clinicians with you and your child to establish what the difficulties are, the severity of them, and supporting information such as developmental history and family relationships, school info etc. Sometimes other information needs to be gathered e.g. school observations, medical reports etc. From that assessment a plan is drawn up that the parents and child (if old enough) agree to then treatment can begin.

There is sometimes a waiting list for CAMHS, if so you should be informed of that. If there is a waiting list and you feel that the situation is deteriorating in the mean time you can phone CAMHS directly to inform them what is happening and request a more urgent appointment.

Be aware that often CAMHS work involves working with the parents as much as with the child (although the focus is the child's needs), that is because children do not function in isolation to the 'systems' around them (principally family).

Don't forget you can ask whatever questions you want, and you can request a copy of the letter that goes to the GP following the assessment, which will contain full info about the assessment, what it found, and the plan.

I agree with selks, that is how our first visit went, we were then referred on to the next tier and all the evidence was gathered and a mega detailed history was taken before w were passed on to the next tier again and we saw a consultant psychiatrist who diagnosed Dd3 after doing another assessment.

Good luck.

Selks

Would it be possible to ask you a few questions about the assessment process, either on here/a new thread/via IM. Ds is in the process of being diagnosed, but about to start the next stage, and I am stressing a little about it (am undergoing assessment for aspergers myself and anxiety around things I dont know about is a big issue for me)

Selks, thank you so much, was so worried as didnt know what to expect.

Ask away, I won't be able to explain the more specialist assessments such as for ASD, but I can try to answer other queries. I'm not on here much at the moment though as v busy but will get back when I can.