Posted by Leonardo on January 23, 2001, at 13:00:37
In reply to Re: Any UK people out there, please?, posted by Lisa Simpson on January 22, 2001, at 4:05:30
> Thank you both very much for your kind and thoughtful replies. I have asked my GP to refer me to a psychotherapist or such like, and he has promised to do so, though he says it will take a long, long time to come through. In the meantime, what do I do? I feel with all the thoughts that go through my head sometimes that I must be going completely crazy. I also feel that I want to sleep all the time. Is that a symptom of something? I wish I could spend the whole day in bed.
>
> LisaHi Lisa!
Hope you are feeling better today. I have 3 years experience of trying to get help for depression etc on the UK NHS (Surrey), but it is very hit and miss. Your tiredness may well be a symptom of depression (one of the classic symptoms, I have it too, especially in the winter).
To cut a long story short, from my experience I think you sould try to get referred to a good psychiatrist (not a therapist or psychologist) as your first priority, even if it means going to a private one. You probably will need a referral from your GP for this (I did). This is because, apart from your GP, only a pyschiatrist (Pdoc in US-speak) can prescribe you medication (therapists can't). I found that I made little progress with any therapist until I had an effective medication, and that seems to be the preferred approach in the UK from my experience (ie if you are very depressed/anxious/panicy or whatever, you will not be able to focus enough to make use of any therapy sessions, and they will be a waste of time and money).
At the moment I am seeing a private psychiatrist, and an NHS therapist, though I am about to lose the therapist - I have long ago used up my 'allocation' of sessions.
I managed to get the referral to my current psychiatrist from my previous NHS one when he had 'finished' with me. This was mainly to see a specialist to be assessed for Seasonal Affective Disorder, but now I am on his books I can see him for my other problems as well, as much as I or my insurance can afford (he charges £67 per 30 min session, I think I got quite a good deal somehow). I have to travel out of my area (Southampton) to see an S.A.D. specialist, as there aren't many in the UK. He is also a University Professor, and much more 'on the ball' than the previous NHS psychiatrist, so maybe you could find someone at a nearby university.
For the NHS route, what I learned was this:
The magic words to get my GP to take action were 'suicidal thoughts', ie if they think you may be a danger to yourself, then you get pushed to the top of the queue. It does depend on how switched on the GP is though, I started to get action when a new GP came into my local practice. She wrote urgent reminders to the psychiatric services, and I then got an appointment through quite quickly (after about a 1 year wait).
Ideally you need a psychiatrist, who can prescribe you suitable drugs, AND some kind of therapist (pschologist) who can help you talk through your problems. I have been seeing a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist on the NHS for over a year. I also managed to get a spell attending sessions in a day care centre, but I'm not sure they helped much.
The NHS psychiatrist may well try to get you 'off his books' as soon as you have a vaguely successful medication, as they always have a waiting list. I only saw the NHS psychiatrist a couple of times, otherwise it was his assistant (SHO), or the Community psychiatric nurse. The CPN was quite good support when I was going through the worst times.
Given the things you have been through, it is not surprising if you are depressed. Getting fully better will eventually require you to address the things which got you into your present situation, but appropriate medication should give you the boost you need to work through your problems.
Shout if you want any more info, and hang on, it will get better eventually!
Best wishes
LeonardoPS I found that watching the Simpsons and trying to have a good laugh does actually help!
poster:Leonardo
thread:52015
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010122/msgs/52311.html