Mental Health Assessors think I pose a risk

[Guest Paul92]

So, after three year of battling with my own thoughts, and being scared to death of being attracted to kids, I decided to see my GP and get som help.

A couple of weeks ago I went to an assessment appointment with a young woman, and I told her about my worries and my thoughts etc. I laid everything down on the table. I left with the impression she didn't really understand what I was talking about.

So a few days after I had a phone call from a man at our local mental health access team asking me to go to another appointment as 'there are a few things that you have disclosed concerning us'. I went into a panic.

So I went today.

He told me that thoughts of children etc, were very concerning and he said he wanted to assess me further. What's more, he told me he had been in contact with a safeguarding agency about me, and they had already begun a program. I was nearly sick on the spot.

I went through everything with this guy again. I told him I had a real fear of being attracted to underage girls, and that even though it never seems to bother my friends, it freaks me out. I told him that I can't stand to be in the same room as a child.

But I don't think he understood. He asked me whether I thought I had a split personality.

He even gave me the number and website address of an organisation that specialises in 'helping' paedophiles. Absolutely unbelievable.

As I left he informed me that he will be taking what I said back to the safeguarding team, but again urged me to call the paedophile organisation.

So I know for a fact now that my internet usage is being monitored, and probably my communications. If they're looking through my history then yes, they'll find I've looked at catalogue pictures and photos of teenagers, as I've been 'checking' my reaction. But do you really believe they will view it like that? No, me neither.

I stressed to him the anxiety the thoughts cause me. But I just don't think he quite understood.

As you can imagine I'm in a real spin. I can't bring myself to eat and I'm not breathing properly. I always feared something like happening, and it seems it has.

What the hell am I supposed to do?

Edited July 29, 2015 by Paul92

[Markie1974]

I'm no expert, but I know this much. You have a typical type of OCD. And this doctor is ignorant. Your mind is throwing intrusive thoughts at you , "what if I'm a pedophile" In turn it gives you anxiety, you perform compulsions , probably responding/engaging/ these thoughts or reassurance thoughts or reassurance behavior like going on the Internet. This serves to only strengthen the original intrusion.

Go see a psychiatrist who is familiar with OCD.

[Guest Paul92]

I don't think I will get as far as a psychiatrist. He told me they have already started a safeguarding program. So that's my life pretty much over.

I just can't believe this.

[Markie1974]

btw here in the states they have confidentiality laws where the dr cannot divulge what you tell them unless it's of course where you tell him you plan on committing a crime.

[Markie1974]

What's a safeguarding team ?

[Guest Paul92]

I think it's a bit different in the UK, they can do anything even if they think there is a chance you might commit a crime.

A safeguarding team is an organisation that works with the police and other organisations to safeguard children and investigate people suspected of paedophilia.

I'm a safeguarding representative at work, but now I'm being investigated!

The knock on the door could come any moment. I've never felt as frightened in my entire life.

[Legend]

So, after three year of battling with my own thoughts, and being scared to death of being attracted to kids, I decided to see my GP and get som help.

A couple of weeks ago I went to an assessment appointment with a young woman, and I told her about my worries and my thoughts etc. I laid everything down on the table. I left with the impression she didn't really understand what I was talking about.

So a few days after I had a phone call from a man at our local mental health access team asking me to go to another appointment as 'there are a few things that you have disclosed concerning us'. I went into a panic.

So I went today.

He told me that thoughts of children etc, were very concerning and he said he wanted to assess me further. What's more, he told me he had been in contact with a safeguarding agency about me, and they had already begun a program. I was nearly sick on the spot.

I went through everything with this guy again. I told him I had a real fear of being attracted to underage girls, and that even though it never seems to bother my friends, it freaks me out. I told him that I can't stand to be in the same room as a child.

But I don't think he understood. He asked me whether I thought I had a split personality.

He even gave me the number and website address of an organisation that specialises in 'helping' paedophiles. Absolutely unbelievable.

As I left he informed me that he will be taking what I said back to the safeguarding team, but again urged me to call the paedophile organisation.

So I know for a fact now that my internet usage is being monitored, and probably my communications. If they're looking through my history then yes, they'll find I've looked at catalogue pictures and photos of teenagers, as I've been 'checking' my reaction. But do you really believe they will view it like that? No, me neither.

I stressed to him the anxiety the thoughts cause me. But I just don't think he quite understood.

As you can imagine I'm in a real spin. I can't bring myself to eat and I'm not breathing properly. I always feared something like happening, and it seems it has.

What the hell am I supposed to do?

can i suggest you contact ocduk and or Ashley as they will offer correct help/advice into this utterly needless plop

a person who presents with ocd issues should be risk assess correctly

risk assessment in ocd >> http://apt.rcpsych.org/content/15/5/332

legend

Edited July 29, 2015 by Legend

[Guest Paul92]

Please don't take this the wrong way Legend, but I'm not certain what they can do ...

I told this guy about the thoughts, and how I hate it all and even how I never used to be like this and now it's a battle every single day. Like I said, he suggested whether I thought I had a split personality! He made it clear that he is in touch with relevant authorities and gave me the name of an organisation that 'helps' paedophiles to contact.

Worse still, he told me that he is going to have another conversation with the first lady I saw about how best to proceed. She seemed even less understanding than the chap today.

When he was telling me that, 'we need to get you the help you need, but more importantly I need to think of the safety of children' - I shaking, literally crying and hurling nearly being sick. He think I'm a paedophile. and so does the lady before.

What on earth can I do? I'll lose my job and everything.

[Legend]

Please don't take this the wrong way Legend, but I'm not certain what they can do ...

I told this guy about the thoughts, and how I hate it all and even how I never used to be like this and now it's a battle every single day. Like I said, he suggested whether I thought I had a split personality! He made it clear that he is in touch with relevant authorities and gave me the name of an organisation that 'helps' paedophiles to contact.

Worse still, he told me that he is going to have another conversation with the first lady I saw about how best to proceed. She seemed even less understanding than the chap today.

When he was telling me that, 'we need to get you the help you need, but more importantly I need to think of the safety of children' - I shaking, literally crying and hurling nearly being sick. He think I'm a paedophile. and so does the lady before.

What on earth can I do? I'll lose my job and everything.

speak to ashley on here or call up helpline please

What can happen sadly is when we do seek help/support those we speak to arent quite fully knowledged about ocd

The guy you spoke to , was he a pyschiatrist or pyschologist ?

this will be ok paul

[Guest Paul92]

I've no idea what he was Legend. He wasn't a psychiatrist. He was just an assessor, as was the lady before.

I'm so unbelievably scared. When I left the first lady she told me that everything was fine, next minute I'm being told that my details have been passed on to a safeguarding unit. This guy said thank you for coming, who knows what is happening now?

I swear to god I would rather live with OCD than have to put up with this.

[Legend]

I've no idea what he was Legend. He wasn't a psychiatrist. He was just an assessor, as was the lady before.

I'm so unbelievably scared. When I left the first lady she told me that everything was fine, next minute I'm being told that my details have been passed on to a safeguarding unit. This guy said thank you for coming, who knows what is happening now?

I swear to god I would rather live with OCD than have to put up with this.

i am shocked buddy , have you never had a formal diagnosis of ocd ?

[Guest Paul92]

No ... I just thought it was about time to get some help. I thought I could trust professionals and they would know all about it. My GP referred me to a mental health access team, I saw a young lady who was very pleasant ... she said she would get back to me in a few weeks because she was going away, 2 days later I have a phonecall from a guy asking me to go to another appointment because they were concerned. He told me today if I hadn't attended todays appointment then he would have had to have took it further with the safeguarders. But again, he listened to my feelings, and said he will be in touch.

I think you'll get the feeling it's a matter of time before I get a knock on the door. This was always my biggest fear.

[Guest Heryn!]

But I don't think he understood. He asked me whether I thought I had a split personality.

Good God

[Legend]

No ... I just thought it was about time to get some help. I thought I could trust professionals and they would know all about it. My GP referred me to a mental health access team, I saw a young lady who was very pleasant ... she said she would get back to me in a few weeks because she was going away, 2 days later I have a phonecall from a guy asking me to go to another appointment because they were concerned. He told me today if I hadn't attended todays appointment then he would have had to have took it further with the safeguarders. But again, he listened to my feelings, and said he will be in touch.

I think you'll get the feeling it's a matter of time before I get a knock on the door. This was always my biggest fear.

shocking , i went through exactly the same mate , its totally totally wrong and i was discussing this on twitter last night !!

One day someone will sue the nhs for the unecessary suffering , i didnt personally but i worked with the nhs and local trust to ensure it never happens again

You will be fine buddy , id get in touch with nhs locally and demand to see a qualified person who is specifcally trained in ocd , and discuss with them !!

OR as i suggested get in touch with ocduk asap and they will help

And they wonder why people dont seek help for this type of ocd !

legend

Edited July 29, 2015 by Legend

[Guest Paul92]

I wouldn't know where to start Legend. I don't think I'd feel comfortable ringing them up saying you've got it all wrong, they'd expect me to do that ... especially considering I've never had a proper diagnosis. My doctor suggested it sounds like OCD to her, but she then she sent me to those guys to get a proper idea.

3 and a half years I've lived in hell. With the push for help with mental health, I thought things would get better

[Legend]

I wouldn't know where to start Legend. I don't think I'd feel comfortable ringing them up saying you've got it all wrong, they'd expect me to do that ... especially considering I've never had a proper diagnosis. My doctor suggested it sounds like OCD to her, but she then she sent me to those guys to get a proper idea.

3 and a half years I've lived in hell. With the push for help with mental health, I thought things would get better

it will get better buddy it will

Speak to GP get in touch with ocduk ! please !

[gingerbreadgirl]

I agree please please speak to Ashley, asap, this will get sorted out.

This kind of thing makes me so incredibly angry.

it'll be ok Paul, you'll be ok Xxxx

[Caramoole]

Listen Paul, as Legend has suggested, you must contact Ashley. He has acted in this capacity before and his support will be invaluable to you. Please do it, will you? Just PM him and he can then arrange to speak to you by phone.

These people are clearly uneducated, unqualified to make that evaluation properly and they make me want to scream Often they are either just Nurses or Well-Being Practitioners who have NO training in OCD, it is outrageous.

Yes, clearly when someone raises issues of a sexual nature involving young people they have to be evaluated, that is right and proper but to someone with the proper knowledge it is quickly evident when OCD is the problem.

I can only imagine what you must be feeling but try not to panic, this will get sorted.

Please contact Ashley ASAP and I will also point him towards this thread.

Hang in there :hug:

Caramoole

[taurean]

Absolutely Paul - get in touch with our charity to help you.

This is another example of why the initiative OCD-UK have to seek to help increase the knowledge of healthcare professionals specifically on OCD - a very distincitively different anxiety disorder- is such vital work, and shows what a long way there is to go yet.

[Legend]

Absolutely Paul - get in touch with our charity to help you.

This is another example of why the initiative OCD-UK have to seek to help increase the knowledge of healthcare professionals specifically on OCD - a very distincitively different anxiety disorder- is such vital work, and shows what a long way there is to go yet.

the gp also has to be questionable , especially due to the nature of the thoughts

refferal should of been directed at / towards those with knowledge .

disgusting

oh well , not a first nor a last i suspect

gutted

[Guest Paul92]

Listen Paul, as Legend has suggested, you must contact Ashley. He has acted in this capacity before and his support will be invaluable to you. Please do it, will you? Just PM him and he can then arrange to speak to you by phone.

These people are clearly uneducated, unqualified to make that evaluation properly and they make me want to scream Often they are either just Nurses or Well-Being Practitioners who have NO training in OCD, it is outrageous.

Yes, clearly when someone raises issues of a sexual nature involving young people they have to be evaluated, that is right and proper but to someone with the proper knowledge it is quickly evident when OCD is the problem.

I can only imagine what you must be feeling but try not to panic, this will get sorted.

Please contact Ashley ASAP and I will also point him towards this thread.

Hang in there :hug:

Caramoole

I'll try and get in contact with him somehow. I'm pretty sure both of the people I've seen were well-being practitioners, that rings a bell. The guy today said they both deal with 'low intensity therapy' I think.

The guy today seemed okay. But the one before did too. So I can't trust either. He said that we should have an agreement that I should phone an organisation called the Lucy Faithful foundation, he'd contacted about me before I had even seen him. So he wants me to ring them. How on earth can I ring them up?

[Legend]

I'll try and get in contact with him somehow. I'm pretty sure both of the people I've seen were well-being practitioners, that rings a bell. The guy today said they both deal with 'low intensity therapy' I think.

The guy today seemed okay. But the one before did too. So I can't trust either. He said that we should have an agreement that I should phone an organisation called the Lucy Faithful foundation, he'd contacted about me before I had even seen him. So he wants me to ring them. How on earth can I ring them up?

youre not going to , you are going to stay away from the unknowledged .

id also contemplate in future making formal complaint also to gp, considering the nature of thoughts and question why she didnt refer you to a knowledged person

system is disgusting , i think there comes a time where we need to name and shame these buffoons

[Guest Paul92]

In fairness to the GP legend, she said that she was pretty certain it was OCD, but advised me to give the mental health access team (a dedicated mental health team that operate all throughout the area) as they would be able to assess me better and direct me to the right person. Obviously, that's not what has happened.

The guy today had no clue what I was on about. I told him how when it was announced on the news that a young boy in my town had gone missing I had th thought "I hope he's dead' he physically flinched! I saw him do it! I said I felt awful and tried batting it away, and now a few days after I have clarity and I feel so sad for the poor little kid. So he said, "so its as if it takes time for your initial thoughts to settle blah blah" , I said I don't exactly want it to be my initial thought!

How do I email Ashley?

[Legend]

To be fair I disagree , I feel a correct diversion to someone who is knowledgable about OCD would be best in these circumstances !!

[Legend]

You can email support@ocduk.org I believe caramoole will flag up with Ashley or you can message him