Posted by Fi on April 20, 2006, at 15:35:28
In reply to Re: How do I find a good T in the UK? » Fi, posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 19, 2006, at 5:50:23
Hello again!
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> Anyway, I'm actually really confused at the moment -- like I said before I'm supposed to be waiting for an appt with a pdoc, but unfortuately I suspect that something like what happened to you will happen. I have plain old unipolar depression/anxiety, and I am realistic that pdocs (on the NHS anyway) seem to be so stretched that they only see the cases of schizophrenia or or something abit more 'exotic' than plain depression.
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They should still be a help- one advantage of having something common is that they are very familiar with the range of medications (particularly) and other approaches. Definitely more skilled on that than GPs. So we may be a bit routine, but may still get some helpful action! My first appt took about an hour, and was an assessment about everything. Then they decided what to try, and referred back to my gp. I asked for a copy of recent notes after I knew the GP had the letter, so I got a copy of the letter- handy!> GP
You've got the referral, which was what you were after. Its not going behind his back to swap GPs, and its within a group practice, no paperwork involved. If its swapping to a new practice, you dont need to ask your current GP.Its such a help to have a GP who is less dismissive- good to have an ally, even if only for 6 minutes per time! Since the approach of my local lot is pdoc sees once then back to GP, its particularly important that you have a decent GP to work with.
I think its a problem that there is such an acute shortage of NHS counselling/pscyhology provision. So even for the GPs who are looking more widely, the only option they can get short-term is the medication. But its promising if you get one who at least recognises that the pills arent everything! And there are also the self help sort of things eg exercise can help with mild/moderate depression, so they should mention that.
>Well, I think I will give it a go anyway.
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Yea- well worth a try> Actually, I have bought that book by David Burns -- I have tried doing it, but it gets abit overwhelming, and I'm pretty hopeless about keeping to the exercises. I have zero motivation at the best of times!
I didnt get very far with the book either. I did get reasonably far into the 'Moodgym' thing, which is in nice small 'doses' and you can stop anytime, and much clearer. Not that it will suit everyone. Cant remember if I mentioned the url- http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/moodlogin.asp
So its maybe worth a try of something easier and shorter than the book as an in-between.
I know about the motivation thing- all too well! Loads of things I should be dong and just dont.. (oops- did you notice that should!?)
>But maybe if I can get to see a counsellor on the NHS, or get get a CPN with knowledge of CBT then I would love to give it a go properly. I think it is helpful.
Yup. pdoc should have some idea about local NHS provision, so you know if you can get something soon-ish. If its absolutely ages, it may be worth just checking the local private counselling lot, to see if they have anyone who is skilled in CBT, what it would cost, and what the waiting list is like.
I would love to have a CPN I could contact in general- CBT skills a bonus! I've only actually met one, but have heard about a few others and they sound great.
But the priority can often be people with 'serious mental illness', as you say .Which really irritates me- it implies that depression isnt. And its only as they dont like the S word.
> Although my boyfriend refuses to avoid the word 'should' and doesn't quite get it....which is one of david burns' rules as I'm sure you are aware of.
Maybe you could get him to read the booklet/do Moodgym or something similar !! Other people can be burdensome!! And if they automatically ones who do 'shoulds' without even thinking about it, that's tough.
There is a short page at http://www.depressionalliance.org/docs/help/friends_and_family.html
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> I just feel as if the system has failed me completely. I mean, if I had a physical illness that has impacted on my life so much or left me for days on end in bed, then there would be all kinds of help on the NHS I'm sure!I dont know if it helps, but actually lots of people dont get help. Unless they are in hospital (eg in traction for serious fractures). Or are having something really horrible (eg chemo).
It would just be SO NICE nice to have some NHS person who was genuinely interested and also helpful, wouldnt it? I'm not expecting someone to get over involved. But a small amount of empathy and interest...
We dont have all the horrors of places like the uS without health insurance. But if you do, I bet you get a better deal.
>Even if I had schzitphrenia or some other exotic mental illness or even if I was a heroin addict I'm sure there would be alot more help available.
I bet that there would be more effort, at least at the beginning.
> I don't know if your experiences have been this way or not....anyway. I'm just angry at the system here in the UK.
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Oh so much! And I can get very resentful at how the resources are allocated- mental health comes a lot further down the list than something 'nicer' like heart attacks or allergies- particularly sick children.Thanks to society and its priorities. Then we are seen as low priority in the mental health patch- unless we are actually suicidal. You wouldnt get that in physical illness- if you are in intense pain, you get painkillers, rather than waiting till the pain was making life unbearable.
I do all sorts of things from the health perspective, like trying to eat healthily, not smoke, or drink too much. But someone who eats chips and burgers and Coke and smokes lots will be ahead of me in NHS funding when they get heart disease.
Sorry- I needed to have a rant too! Can feel so alone. I do find it helps to go to a Depression Alliance group, with other people with depression. Its a bit hit and miss about who else is there, and there isnt an official 'leader'. But helps a bit.
I know lots of other people would find what I say disgraceful, but in this context I dont care!! I think you will understand, which is what matters.
Good luck with the pdoc, and get rid of that GP!!
Fi
poster:Fi
thread:631449
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060406/msgs/635329.html