Okay okay, I know you've had a million billion posts about adult services before. But I'm asking now anyways.
I'm currently in CAMHS and I found out literally a half hour ago, through my mum, that I would be going to adult services in the summer (I turn 18 in April). I think its good that I'm not being chucked out straight as I turn 18, but I thought I would be going to a youth service, not adult services! Its completely thrown me off now. I did ask my mum months ago "what would you do if I had to go into adult services?" and she totally flipped. But she seems to be taking in rather well now that its come from my psychiatrist that I would be going.
I've heard so much bad stuff about adult services, thats its really worrying me. I'm mostly recovered now but I still have really bad downs (see my other posts). I'm not the type to not take my medication (unless I'm really depressed) or miss therapy sessions, so I should have no problem, right? Someone please reassure me. I've been taking medication for the last two years so that probably has something to do with me going into adult services.
What are adult services like? How do they differ from CAMHS? Will they change my medication? How often will I see them (or does that differ with everyone?)? What will they do if I tell them I'm suicidal? Will I have as much support as I've had with CAMHS? I'm really doubting that I will, I've got a CPN, psychiatrist, support worker and we see family therapists and everyone has made a huge impact on my life. I'm really worried now!
CAMHS have mostly taken me seriously, and listened to me. It took me ages to open up to my psychologist and psychiatrist, and now I'm going to have to go through the whole thing again.
The only good thing I can think of right now that will come of this is when I turn 18 I'll be too old to go to the units I was in so my wanting to be back there should be gone because there'll be no chance whatsoever of going back.
Sorry for all the questions and no doubt I'll be thinking of more!
In my experience, CAMHS were a complete and utter pile of **** and never listened to a word I said, and adult services were a million times better.
It sounds like your experience with CAMHS has been really good. I would imagine you will get the same level of care from adult services.
You will be given a keyworker/care co-ordinator (which can be a CPN, social worker or occupational therapist), a psychiatrist and you can also be referred to a psychologist. It depends on your CMHT if they do family therapy or not.
How often you see your keyworker will be determined by both of you. I think the average is once a week to once a fortnight, but you can see them more or less if needed.
If you told them you were suicidal, they would most likely have to assess your risk and that would be down to your individual case. But if you had to be admitted it would be to an adult ward.
I would imagine the first time you saw your psychiatrist from adult services they would want to talk to you and find out how things are. They will have your old notes and I wouldn't imagine they would change your medication if it was working well for you.
Within the CMHT there is also usually groups such as arts and crafts, keep fit, relaxation and skills groups for managing anxiety and depression.
I guess the major difference between CAMHS and adult services is that they treat you like an adult. For me, I could finally tell people things knowing it wasnt all getting reported back to my mum.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
i've found adult services a lot better than CAMHS.
they probably won't change your meds unless they've not been helping.
i see someone about once a fornight but everyone's different. i can also get in contact in between if i need to, which was almost impossible to do at CAMHS.
thinsg like family therapy can carry on once you move to adult services too.
when i told my key worker i was suicidal she helped me think of ways to keep myself safe and then she phoned me back the next day.
i hope it goes well for you. you can always ask your current team what it'll be like, 'cos they'll know what goes on in your area.
i got on okay with CAMHS after a while and received a lot of support from them. i was transferred to adult services three months before i turned 20 (old, i know).
it took a while to really start to get on with adult services, but this was similar to my experience with CAMHS. the treatment i recieve with adult services is quite different to what i had with CAMHS (where i saw the same therapist very frequently - 3x/week) but there is a lot more on offer in terms of services.
currently i have access to a CPN, psychologist, support worker, psychiatrist every month, day unit and out-of-hours crisis service, as well as voluntary services like MIND. plus supported housing. there really is a lot more but everyone's experiences of adult services are different, and like with everything, nothing's perfect.
i think the fact that you're compliant with meds and willing to work in therapy will really help you though. try not to be too worried. xxx
it really does vary between areas and for individuals. probably some services will be better or there will be more of them, and some will be worse.
stuff i've read around here suggests that main difference is as an inpatient, as adults who have been in the service for a long time can be a lot more intimidating when they do kick off. its not really common or really dangerous in most places though.
there may be less involvment of your parents,and family therapy, but it shouldn't be a problem involving them if thats what you want (i'm nearly 30 and still insist i need my mum with me for significant case conferences)
i think the hard bit will be having to get used to a whole new load of staff, and i'd recomend a gradual transfer, maybe with sessions including both old and new workers.
"Thinking is the most unhealthy thing in the world"
Thanks everyone. I feel a lot more reassured now. My psychiatrist mentioned to my mum that she wanted to hold a CPA meeting with adult services soon, but also mentioned I probably wont be leaving until the summer, so I'm assuming it will be a gradual transfer. I'll probably know more when I see my psychiatrist myself on the 10th Feb. I'll update then x
I was going to ask the same questions tbh. Im 18 in november but my pyschatrist has arranged for me to start gradully switching to adult services in the next couple of months.
So thanks for reassurance. Ive found CAMHS pretty useless tbh. The one thing that worrys me is that i was on an adult ward for a short time before i was put in the adolescent ward. and christ i couldent go back , and thats the local MH unit so if i relapse thats were im likely to end up. Which the thought of scares me , maybe that will help keep me on track if im scared to go back.
Sorry bit of a rant there.
x
So do whatever it takes
‘Cause you can’t rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin’ stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your side
I MUCH prefer the adult CMHT to CAMHS... and mainly because there's the thing about confidentiality.
My CAMHS DR would tell my mum EVERYTHING about what I'd said and when I'd SH'd etc.
CMHT don't tell my mum anything I dont want them to tell her, they treat me like an adult!
Gosh I hated CAMHS! xx
