CPA?

[Phoebo]

ok well i have my cpa on 21st augest and i am absolutly crapping myself i have had one before but i was to out of it to even realise what it was and what went on but now i'm not so psychotic and i'm terrified because i hate having meetings with lots of mental health specialists where they talk about me and ask stupid horrible questions. anyone got any advice on whats going to happen and what will be discussed etc

thank you in advance

lyndsey

[Stellata]

Care Programme Approach. Its not something I know something personally about, but I found these links which might help -

http://www.mentalhealthcare.org.uk/content/?id=22

and

http://www.rethink.org/living_with_m...at_is_cpa.html

[this has further info on links at bottom of page]

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealt...eapproach.aspx

Hmmm. Now I remember. When I did some short-term bank work for Rethink in Harrow, they were strongly into the CPA. I was involved in listening to some discussions and such, and read files. Obviously its all confidential. But it seemed for the most part to really help the residents.

[Phoebo]

thank you very much i kind of remember having this meeting before but at that stage i thought my brother was a demon and the government was after me so i was a bit preoccupied lol

[Stellata]

You were in a great deal of distress then, it sounds. I hope it works out well for you.

[Phoebo]

yea althou one thing that kind of shocked me was cpa's are only really used for schizophrenics and my psychiatrists refuses to give me my diagnosis i hope hes not diagnosed me as schizophrenic

[Stellata]

I noticed that. I think it is rather psychosis that is the main factor, and that can be a part of many illnesses. You'll know for sure at the meeting. Is there anyone there who you feel safest with?

[Phoebo]

i guess my cpn shes pretty good but i don't know i just suck at these kind of meetings i never know what to say and always end up just saying i'm ok

[hammy]

Try not to panic about the CPA, they are there to help you. I know how daunting it can feel as I too hate being talked about and asked a load of questions.

Basically they are meetings where everyone who is involved in your care, ie psych nurse, psych, support worker, therapist all get together with you and possibly your parents too and discuss which is the best way forward for you care. CPA stands for Care Programme Aproach, so they are figuring out how best to care for you in the future.

These meetings should happen regulary so everyone knows what is happening and how best to help you. My parents are always involved so there is no confusion. They are good things to have and not to be afraid of. Only good things can happen out of this.

Let us know how you get on.

[Phoebo]

thank you my parents aren't coming to mine because i know i definetly will not be able to open up with them there so its just me and i will let you know how i get on thank you

Well, everyone at my hospital have CPAs, and not everyone there is psychotic. I absolutely ****ing hate them, I have to say. Like, six adults sitting there discussing how ****ed up you are. Lame e-hugs from me. Maybe write down what you want to get out of it and what you want to happen beforehand.

[-Tough-Cookie-]

Its a bit nerve racking having a room of people talk about you - i had them in hospital and made a right idiot of myself my crying...i mean i have social anxiety so yuh!
You should be aoud to take someone with you, a parent or whatever if that helps you.

[x-dying-inside-x]

i used to have CPA's every three to four weeks when i was in hospital, they are nothing to worry about.
i just usedto sit there but if there is something you think is wrong tell them i used too and it helped with my care alot.