I am being referred to the crisis team, well I was supposed to be referred today but I haven't heard anything, so hopefully someone will be in touch tomorrow.
Anyways, weird circumstances mean that I can't speak to them on the phone, and the home treatment team is a definite no-no. So they have said I can go to the local hospital and see them there, which seems like an okay compromise as long as I can drag myself out of bed.
But, um, i've never had contact with them before other than over the phone, and even then they were just like 'how are you? have a nice cup of tea, hot bath, go to bed' you know, that kind of thing.
This might sound like the silliest question, but has anyone actually met with the crisis team, like in a hospital or whatever? what do they actually do? will it be the same people as when you present in A&E for self harm or a suicide attempt? I remember them calling themselves the crisis team too, and offering to put me in hospital D:!
I don't know what I need, but I know I need something. Someone that is going to listen and take my concerns seriously and actually care about the fact that sometime this week I am probably going to do something very destructive. My GP listens, and is actually concerned for my safety (she keeps warning me that one of these days I'm going to kill myself by accident) but she referred me to the CMHT as she thought they could help better, but they've been pretty useless so far.
Just. Should i bother with the crisis team? positive experiences? thanks! x
It's worth a try isn't it? I appreciate how hard it can be though. I found that they're better face to face than on the phone, and it's good to have people who'll listen to you without worrying that what you'll say will freak them out!
Thanks! I went to see them today, it was really weird 'cause I had to go to the mental health unit, which was a little intimidating (although surprisingly quiet!).
To be honest they were really nice people, and they have said they are going to try and support me, it's just that i didn't really know what to say when they asked what i wanted of them, and neither did they.
I also didn't think they really understood the seriousness of the situation, I mean I know they see terribly ill people all of the time, but it's just like, these problems are very real to me, and things are going to end very badly unless I actually get some sort of help.
I guess as far as mental health services go, I've been really lucky in the past. My first CAMHS worker was really nice although not terribly helpful, I have always been admitted to hospital for my own safety when things have been bad, and it's always been to the Priory funded by the NHS, I had a marvellous psychiatrist who was very helpful, 6 months of an intensive day patient program that was run very well and was very helpful, and then a further 6 months with an amazing psychologist, seriously better than anyone I have ever encountered in the private sector. CAMHS allowed me to stay with them well past the leaving age because they knew he was helping, but my own stupidity and a bit of parental pressure led me to discharge myself from them.
So I guess, even though I knew it wouldn't be as good, I am a little disappointed by the adult services so far. My care co-ordinator is not helpful at all, we really don't click well and I doubt i'll be seeing her much anyway as the place where she works is literally in the middle of nowhere and I can't afford the taxi prices to get there! The crisis team were friendly, and may prove to be helpful, I just don't know what to say to make them realise that I need more help than I'm getting. CAMHS said I would have to see a psychologist in adult services, but this obviously didn't get passed on when i discharged myself and nobody except for my GP has suggested it.
Don't apologise for ranting! Unfortunately, adult services is very different to CAMHS. From experience, the waiting times are longer and you have to fight an awful lot more for help. There is no reason that you could not see a psychologist and indeed the crisis team may be able to hasten the process for you but don't be surprised if there is a year + waiting list to see psychology (in my area it was 18-24 months). Having said that, not all areas are the same and some will be a lot quicker at sorting things out than others.
I'm glad it went ok for you. It is difficult, because it's hard to know what you want from them when the reason you're seeing them is because things seem so bad that you cant see past them, so I think they'll understand that! I thing they're trained to be calm, and professional, and that can come across as them not seeing it as serious as it is sometimes, but I'm sure they understood and they've said they'll support you which is good... i've noticed around the boards that some people have had problems with getting them to support them at all. As pomegranate said, sometimes they can speed up referral processes etc so that might be a way in which they are able to help you?
It does look as though you were quite lucky with CAMHS and this must make it really difficult, because you're used to great support, then with adult services i think you're left to your own devices and have to make your own decisions etc with little input. idk though, that's just my opinion..
Woah! That's a long waiting list right there! Maybe i will give the psychologist a miss :S
I saw a lovely lady from the crisis team today, she was actually very helpful - she asked if i needed to be in a different environment but I told her I could create danger for myself in any environment, so there's no point. She asked what I did to relax, and I told her I never am able to relax, so she offered to do some relaxation with me and is going to try and fix it so that I can do yoga in the unit, even though it's supposed to be for the inpatients - I love yoga! She was just good to have a chat with, you know? She actually listened and understood what I was saying, and is going to see me tomorrow as well. She remembered talking to me on the phone when I used the crisis team last year, I thought that was so weird!
I also told her I wasn't on any medication at the moment, so she said she is going to fix me an appointment with a 'lovely doctor' - those are my favourite type!
Sometimes it's easy to put all of the staff under an umbrella, say they're all useless, but sometimes you do find a real gem :).
Yay, i'm so happy for you. I think that's where my recent positivity regarding them comes from... you only need one person and your faith in humanity can begin to be restored (admittedly only in minute chunks but it's a start) and thats great about the yoga, i wish i could do something like that! Often a good listener is better than any medication etc.... hope things continue to improve for you.
