IAPT

[Bubbles137]

Has anyone here had any experience of IAPT? I've just been referred by my GP and have no idea what to expect, or what sort of things you can say in the initial assessment (looking at the website, it looks like it mainly deals with depression and anxiety?). I've been referred for anxiety- I get occasional panic attacks and have done for years, but recently I've started to feel 'spacey' or zoned out even when I'm not nervous about something. It's like being detached, or slightly separate from your body and your mind's a few seconds out of sync so I do/say things automatically then I'm not sure what I said or did. I also get a lot of vertigo and nausea, and it feels like the world's spinning slightly. Is this the kind of thing you can say in IAPT?

The other problems I'm having are more ongoing, but would also like to work on them. I have an eating disorder (have done for 13 years) and binge every night which I'd like to stop, but I think that might be connected to anxiety. But I also have v restricted eating patterns and can't eat in front of people which can be an issue although most people who know me are used to it and would probably be more surprised if I suddenly started to eat a full meal in front of them! And I'd also like to work on social issues- I have ASD and get nervous in front of new people, but once I feel comfortable with someone, I 'latch on' to them to the point that they get really annoyed with me and I don't realise until they totally blank me- this has been happening since I was really little but it's a lot harder as an adult. I also 'latch on' to older women, no idea why, who I trust (like my uni tutor) and I'm worried that she'll suddenly start hating me or complain about me as well like my teacher at school did when I 'latched on' to her. Can I mention any of that? Don't want to be referred back to ED- was there for seven years but it made the anxiety worse, and i'm not sure they'd take me back. My weight's above BMI 20 because of bingeing and my bloods are always (*touch wood*) fine because I drink an electrolyte solution after purging.

The other problem (sorry to go on, just want to be totally clear about what to say to IAPT) is that recently, since the 'detachment' started, I haven't been obsessed with anything or anyone. I know that sounds like a good thing and probably is, but it feels really weird and like a massive part of me is missing. It's like being really empty and disorientated, and has made the bingeing a lot worse. That's where a lot of the vertigo and nausea comes from, I think. just want to check if I can say any of this to IAPT!

[Stellata]

I don't know about IAPT. But I am wondering if the distress of being blanked and rejected after the latching on is perceived by the other has triggered the dissociation/spacing out and the feelings of loss that you've tried to fill by binging. Like, defending against and feeling the pain all at once.
A therapist can help you with this, though how they would tackle this with you depends on their approach.

[snailonvalium]

Iapt basically means access to psychological therapies.
Everything you wrote here,tell them :) it will help them decide which therapy would be best.
Good luck xx

[cloudedmind]

I have been going to IAPT on and off (between referrals back and forth from the CMHT) since late last year. I think they do a few types of therapy and the assessment will basically just be asking you questions about yourself, what you want help with, and then they'll decide what to offer you. I think they're big on CBT - in fact, it's all they'd offer me, I think it's all they offer at my IAPT pretty much. Other than that, it's just the NHS's way of helping more people get therapy quickly (ish, you may have to wait a while still). I hope it's helpful xx

[random.swirls]

IAPT stands for improving access to psychological therapies.

It was introduced so that people experiencing anxiety and depression could access treatment quickly without the joys of waiting lists and so on.

Principally you will be offered CBT this is likely to be time limited.

I've heard good things about IAPTs overall and they can help with eating issues especially if linked in with the anxiety etc.....