Getting Re-assessed

[Scabette]

Quick question for anyone who understands the NHS (if such a person exists).

How do I get a comprehensive psych. assessment and possibly a diagnosis?

Have been seeing mental health services for ages but am not diagnosed with anything. I feel like they should figure that out before they start treating me, and the fact that they haven't might have something to do with my sad lack of progress.
Thanks for any answers. x

[Stellata]

Did you not have an assessment when you were referred? That's what usually happens. Do you see a psychiatrist regularly? How about asking your GP what's on your records? I had to ask my GP what the psychiatrist's diagnosis was...

[sherlock holmes]

It may be the team already have a diagnosis, they just aren't telling you. My team had known roughly what my diagnosis was a year before I found out.

You should talk to your team about it. Were you initially assessed when you first started seeing them? If not, then ask for an assessment.

[Scabette]

I was never officially assessed, I was diagnosed with depression and anorexia about 4 years ago, and since then they have both apparently been written off.
I saw a psych. a couple of times but stopped seeing her because she was unhelpful, ignorant and generally horrible.
I'm really paranoid now, what they might have written in my files and not told me. I've got a GP appt. tomorrow anyway so I'll ask.

Are they obliged to tell you, or are they allowed to keep it a secret?

[Stellata]

I think they tend to tell you your diagnosis if you ask. I've always been told.
But remember that what they tend to do is have a primary diagnosis - like mine's depression, although everyone knows it's complicated by other stuff!