CMHT.

[Crazy Cat Lady]

Hi,

I've been living with mental health problems (mainly anorexia and depression) for around 10 years now. I was under CAMHS during my adolescent years and was seen by adult eating disorder treatments team up until last year, when I discharged myself as just didn't feel the service was helping. I've been seeing a private psychologist for a year now which I find very helpful although she is due to go on maternity leave in a few weeks, however she's recommended me someone to see in the interim whilst she's away and she is coming with me to meet her in a few weeks.

When I discharged myself from the eating disorder service, I wasn't under the care of the Psychiatrist anymore. My GP felt a Psychiatrist needed to be involved (for medication purposes). I had an appointment with a Psychiatrist at the CMHT last month and although I found it very hard, she was understanding. I thought it was just to manage medication but it's turned into a lot more. The Psychiatrist referred me to the day hospital to start group therapy and I'm meeting an OT in a few weeks. When I saw the Psychiatrist about 5 weeks ago, she booked me in for a follow up early December as she's decided to withdraw me slowly from the Sertraline and then start Amitriptiline. However, last week, I received a call from the CMHT and she said she was a Dr working under the care of Dr K (my usual Psychiatrist) and asked me how things were. I was quite anxious as I didn't know who she was and it was hard to talk as people were around. She sounded very understanding. A few weeks ago, I went to the drug service (as a walk in) as I've been diagnosed with an opiate addiction and I just didn't have the strength to start to cut down slowly on my own. After a assessment, I decided I wasn't ready to engage. When this lady from the CMHT rang she did mention this and said she realised I wasn't ready to engage.

I feel very overwhelmed with the amount of professionals who are getting involved. I know I should appreciate the support (and part of me does) but I can't help but feel very smothered.

Things are really hard and I'm really struggling :(

[Epicene]

I just wanted to tell you that I felt very much the same way when I was allocated to a pretty large care team. It can be overwhelming to realise that you need support from so many different professionals, and that in itself can be a trigger to begin with. But it is normal to feel smothered if you have gone from only one or two professionals to several more. Over time you will adjust though, especially as you suss out who does what.

I am sorry to hear you are struggling but do try and listen to the part of yourself that appreciates the support. You stand more chance of being supported appropriately with a bigger team, and in time things are likely to get easier as a consequence of better treatment.