In need of advice re: seeking help

[betterto]

I am new to this website so if this is not the appropriate way of asking advice please let me know!

Several years ago I was diagnosed with depression and put on medication. After several disastrous trials of various anti-depressants, and one particularly pointless counselling session, I asked my GP about being tested for bipolar disorder.
I am not someone who would normally make suggestions to my doctor but this was whilst at university and the standard of care seemed to stretch only as far as hangover cures and STI checks. She seemed entirely stumped by my problems and having done a lot of research myself I felt I had been given the wrong diagnosis and wanted to be tested further.
Unfortunately my GP did not react well and ended the session by telling me that in order to be tested by a psychiatrist I must first see a therapist. She refused to explain why she wouldn't directly refer me to a psychiatrist herself and then continued by asking me about my symptoms. I listed the symptoms that I felt proved to be manic episodes and was told that each one was merely a result of my current lifestyle choices and were particularly prevalent among students - a class of people I was told were likely to waste their lives on drinking, shopping sprees and drug abuse.
I am not a confident person and this experience put me off seeking medical help entirely. I have not returned to my GP, have now moved back home after university and have been trying to deal with my problems alone, but several years on and I am feeling worse than ever.
I want to try gaining a psychiatric test for bipolar disorder so that I can at least start dealing with my health appropriately, but do not want to have to go through my GP to do so. I'm unable to pay for private help and need the support of the NHS. Is there any way of seeking psychiatric treatment via the NHS without a doctor referral?

Any advice would be very much appreciated!

[WinterSparkles]

Hi,

Maybe you could try finding a different doctor/GP (maybe in a different surgery/area) to discuss your thoughts with? I know it's not that easy to find someone, but if you can get a second opinion from a different professional it might be worthwhile.

I first got referred to my mental health service by my counsellor from a non-NHS counselling service in my area, so maybe you could see if there's any advice/support groups around you who you could go to for a brief chat, and see if they could help you.

Don't let one person's response put you off seeking help, though - everyone's different and everyone responds differently to different advice.

Hope this helps,

Georgie xx

[Lotti]

I dont think you should stop at asking one GP if you are unsatisfied. If you are really certain that you have it, then how long will you go on without treatment?

On the other hand, looking at the situation from the outside in, do you think she might be right? she may not have approached you in the best way, and this as had you put barriers up so try and look at it from other peoples point of view, you might be just fine! but if in doubt, go get a second opinion

Hope this helps x