So... after being repeatedly referred to the CMHT by my doctor, and getting nowhere, I finally contacted PALS. (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)
The woman I spoke to was very kind and after ringing round and trying to find out what was going on, she described it as "like banging my head on a brick wall" and said she could see why I was so frustrated and desperate.
Bad news is that apparently every time I get referred, the CMHT say there is nothing they can do for me, and refer me back to my doctor. The doctor is not happy with this.
I have severe depression at the moment, but I know there's an evil hovering BPD label which is why they won't help me. The really unfair thing is that I don't even have BPD (have done all the questionnaire's etc) so they had to remove the diagnosis, yet they still have it as a 'working diagnosis' which is ludicrous - how can be be a working diagnosis when that's one thing I defrinitely don't have??!!!
Not that it'd be ok to treat me this way if I did have BPD - honestly they are a bunch of unsympathetic, jobsworth morons!
Anyway the problem is they are ignoring my depression - it has been severe and enduring for about 20 months, getting significantly worse in the last few months. I know depression is meant to go hand in hand with BPD anyway but it is the only thing I am definitely diagnosable with, to quite a degree, so why ignore it as a primary, or possibly only Dx?? (I know there are trauma related issues causing it though.)
Anyway I'm incredibly pissed off with them; at the moment this is stopping me being too depressed but I do feel very despairing and knowing I'll get no help, as well as the horrible trapped feeling this gives me, is a recipe for suicidal thoughts.
All I can think about is trying to see a private therapist with my DLA money, but feel really weird about paying for that with the therapist - I mean, it's in their interest to keep me in therapy forever isn't it?! If I mention a timescale (I'm supposed to be going travelling if well enough) do you think it'll help them move things along quicker as they won't gain financially for making it take longer?
Also, things are really bad day-to-day, like I can never get out of bed til late if at all, and often go days without leaving the house despite trying so hard all the time to be ok. My boyfriend is around a LOT to make sure I don't SI and attempt suicide when it gets really bleak, I try to hold on for him but it really seems he'd be better without me sometimes. Anyway what I mean is I'd really benefit from a CPN or something, and they did give me one for a few months last year when I was better than I am now...
It all makes no sense and I just feel really alone, unwanted, useless and frightened.
Sorry for rant...
"I have a room for life at the home for the chronically groovy!" - Sgt Floyd Pepper
I've had similar issues with CMHT.
I was sectioned under a section 3 and before I could be discharged I had to have a section 117 meeting and the CMHT refused to take me on before they had even met me, saying that because I can do my own food shopping then I am fine.
My psych has referred me a few times, because she agrees with me that I do need it, but they keep saying no. I have the diagnosis of severe depression and emotionally unstable personality disorder, so it may be something to do with my PD which is why they are not excepting me.
so you're not alone.
"Never be a spectator of unfairness or studpidity. The grave will supply plenty of time for silence." Christopher Hitchens
'When words fail, music speaks'
I am transsexual and homoromantic and proud to be.
Sorry this is a bit unrelated to the original post but what do you guys mean that the CMHT has a problem with the label BPD? Im just wandering as they are seeing me as they think i have a PD. so im jsut a bit worried now they are going to discharge me if they come with the dx of bpd...
Ballerina123 - My lovely superstar
Call me R -
The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time - Abraham Lincoln
I'm glad that you've contacted PALS about this. I hope that they are able to help you - have they got back to you with what could happen yet? You are entitled to a free counselling/MH service, even if the CMHT are being unhelpful.
With the CMHT, it is like entering a postcode lottery. I haven't, unfortunately, had a good experience with them as I find that they don't stick to their word and just abandon you, so you aren't alone with that at all. I currently do receive MH support but it is not from the CMHT. There are other services that you can be referred to such, depending up your diagnoses'. There are counsellors at the GP practice (there are at mine, anyway), MIND counselling (though I've never looked into that). I know that you say you don't have BPD but if you did, you can get put on a waiting list, albeit lengthy, for DBT and there are many types of therapy - CBT, CAT etc. Depending upon what's in your area and it takes time to be seen and to work your way up the waiting list but there are services for you, honestly. Please don't give up.
Have you spoken to your GP about how the CMHT are not helping you? My GP was very supportive and kept referring me to lots of different people, so I hope that yours is also.
Tinkles - don't worry, it depend what area you are in, bit of a postcode lottery. There was a governernment thingy a few years back called "Personality Disorder - No Longer a Diagnosis of Exclusion" and they have started developing services and generally been given a kick up the backside!
My issue with it is more a culmination of many individuals with outdated, prejudice views, misinterpreting things I say/do and writing it up in a biased way in my notes which then means the next person is dismissive and does the same thing and so on...
Anyway, good news today, got carted off to A&E by police, but saw the psych liaison team instead of the crisis team or no-one like usual. They were actually quite good and actually listened, I was able to explain the probs around diagnosis and I've now somehow circumvented the usual procedures and have a appointment on Monday for a proper assessment with a psychologist to decide the best therapy/place for therapy.
The psych liaison guys also said they could see why I was so frustrated and realised what I'm up against when they tried to find out what was going on and chase up referrals and things.
So this is VERY good news, fingers crossed for the appointment on Monday.
"I have a room for life at the home for the chronically groovy!" - Sgt Floyd Pepper
