Hey Katie,
Firstly, you've made a couple of really huge steps forward. I know it doesn't feel like it, but you really have. You're doing great so far.
Secondly, a psych appt is very much the same as that GP appt, just longer. They'll ask you for symptoms and how you feel; how you're coping at work; what you expect from them (e.g - what would help you); discuss your meds; maybe refer you to a more specialised clinic or give you leaflets about anything they diagnose, or charities you could turn to for extra help... I've seen five psychs and been to an eating disorder clinic. At the psychs, the first time, I saw a psych and a MH nurse and they diagnosed depression, anxiety and OCD. Oh and social anxiety. It lasted about an hour. I'd written things down, and then we went over my notes together and both professionals asked me things. They gave me some leaflets and numbers to phone. Through those leaflets, I got my counsellor and my support worker. Then that afternoon at home, I had a call from the psych to confirm her diagnoses, as she'd wanted to check something with her superior. Then I got asked to go back to see the superior, who was also accompanied by a MH nurse. They then discharged me from their clinic, as I had meds, a counsellor and a support worker then. I got quite bad again, got rereferred, saw a different psych and MH nurse, and it was just a review, updating their notes, checking up on meds etc. Discharged again. Re-referred again. So the fourth time, different staff again (I hated this, but apparently that's just how it is); and I got given a self-referral form for the eating disorder clinic. And another round of being discharged and re-referred, and the last time I got the Borderline Personality Disorder diagnosis and some leaflets on that. Discharged again. And since then my GP has been managing everything, although they keep wanting to refer me back again, but I can't be bothered any more lol. (BUT MH care in my area is NOTORIOUSLY bad).
Work can't sack you - it's illegal and they will get in so much trouble and lose so much money. You may be signed off sick by your GP if you're considered not well enough to work. You can discuss if you're not coping at work with drs - I recommend it. I got signed off in Feb 2008, and I'm still signed off. I didn't get fired, but after six months, my SSP ran out (sick pay thing). At that point there was no way I'd be able to go back to work, despite several discussions with work about how they could make it easier for me. So then I went on Incapacity Benefit, and gave up work.
When I've been suicidal, my GP has just given me less meds. Like, a weeks worth and then I had to go back for a review. But if/when hospital admission comes up, I will do anything to get out of it. I know some people's GPs do a kind of contract system. I'm not sure how that works, but there's bound to be someone here who has had experience of that.
I recommend getting in touch with your local branch of Mind and/or Rethink.
And feel free to PM me any time. x
