Guest paramoregirl Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 Hi there, I have been very fortunate that in the past I have had access to private health treatment and an excellent psychiatrist that I unfortunately don't have anymore due to funding. I went to my doctor and asked for some cbt on the nhs. I'am on citalopram 40mg and I have checking and some mild contamination ocd. The doctor referred me to my local nhs mental health care team (Maidstone) for some cbt who wrote back saying I should be put on antipsychotics. I was absolutely furious as they made that decision from a referral letter my doctor sent who only saw me for five minutes, ONCE! It is shocking and alarming that someone without even talking to me, knowing my history, knowing what I've been though in my life can just magic up a prescription for antipsychotics based on a doctors letter who I have only ever seen once in my life. I don't suffer any delusions or hear voices and I truly believe these things are just dished out far to readily to numb us down and shut us up. Don't get me wrong citalopram has saved me life and helped me enormously. But I cannot believe someone who has never met or spoken to me suggests I take antipsychotics first rather than have CBT. I really feel let down by the NHS and that they simply don't care. I have since found a new doctor who seems a lot better and says she will refer me again and that I defiantly don't need antipsychotics. I have since bought DR Schwartz book on overcoming ocd which is currently providing me with lots of help and support. Link to comment
Guest yinyang Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Hello paramore :original: Yes it is a disgrace how they can dish out tablets like that without a proper assesment first. As I have said before the problem lies with funding. It has to be cheaper to hand out medication than offer therapy or a specialist evaluation. In my experience with my local mental health team they just don't have the resources and have to "prioritise". What you actually have to do to be put at the top of the list I dread to think.. Anyhoo glad you are getting somewhere now, keep up the :boxing: Link to comment
Guest paramoregirl Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Hi yin yang thanks for your reply. Yes it is frightening to think what they have to put at the top of the list. I mean how bad do you have to get before you can actually see someone. Link to comment
Guest legend Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Personally I would talk to your gp and perhaps raise the nice guidelines for the treatment of ocd. where it clearly states that meds should be of the ssri variety, and CBT is the correct treatmemt for ocd, and why you wasn't offered it You may also might be able to self refer via IAPT if that applys to your area.? good links here from ocduk hompage > http://ocduk.org/gp-says-no-to-cbt iapt link > http://ocduk.org/iapt Link to comment
Guest yinyang Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Tried IAPT like you said legend and 2 weeks on and still no reply. I'm going in armed to my GP appointment tomorrow :original: I also wrote to her asking to be referred to a psychiatrist, see what happens. Maybe you could try this paramore? Link to comment
Guest paramoregirl Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 That is some GREAT advice, thank you so much :kiss2: Link to comment
lovid Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 Hi Paramoregirl.Even if funding is the problem simply putting you on tablets alone probably won't help and because of that, treatment will be longer and more costly in the end.We need some people in the NHS who can stand up and raise these issues with their MPs and not prescribe medication that they must know won't work.Keep pestering em and I hope you get somewhere soon Link to comment
Guest paramoregirl Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Thanks so much, I have made some great progress recently and am actually planning on coming off my tablets or at least trying too and giving it my best shot. I have a doctors appointment in a week. I totally agree with you about the funding, its all about money. Isnt it always? Something needs to happen in this country drastically as people just aren't getting the treatment and support they need. I mean how bad does it get before you actually get treated correctly and safely? Link to comment
Guest yinyang Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 We did write to Norman Lamb MP and the mental health center and my GP but I'm sorry to say in my case, still no joy. Just more tablets to try :original: I'm really not sure I can do anymore (sanely) to get any help! Awesome you are making progress PG. Lets hope next week is the start of good things to come for you Link to comment
Guest paramoregirl Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Hi YinYang, i'am so sorry you are STILL experiencing problems with the NHS. People certainly like to drag their heels don't they. Link to comment
Guest yinyang Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Ahh well keeps me occupied Link to comment
Guest paramoregirl Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 hahahahaha well sounds like you are doing a great job at keeping them on their toes. Just a shame it has to be that way and people don't help you like they should. I mean that's what we pay our national insurance for. Link to comment
Guest yinyang Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Yeah that's true but I can't fault any of the other services. I only called 111 the other day and was seen and out within 2 hours! Link to comment
lovid Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 Medical services are first class if it's physical but they don't take mental health seriously Link to comment
Guest yinyang Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 Got the phonecall I have been waiting for this morning. Finally got an appointment with a consultant clinical psychologist next week! Just goes to show what you can do with alot of effort although it shouldn't be this way. Yings a happy bunny today :original: Link to comment
Guest legend Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 Got the phonecall I have been waiting for this morning. Finally got an appointment with a consultant clinical psychologist next week! Just goes to show what you can do with alot of effort although it shouldn't be this way. Yings a happy bunny today :original: great news and sadly you are right in regards having to fight for it, that's disgusting Link to comment
Guest yinyang Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 (edited) Thanks legend :original: Apparently there was a "break down in communications". I'm sure even if they was using carrier pidgeons they would have been able to "communicate" within 6 months. I hope this will give others that are struggling something positive to take from my situation. You will be surprised what a few well written letters to the right people can do. Just a shame it's at a time when we are at our most vulnerable Edited October 17, 2013 by yinyang Link to comment
Guest legend Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 Thanks legend :original: Apparently there was a "break down in communications". I'm sure even if they was using carrier pidgeons they would have been able to "communicate" within 6 months. I hope this will give others that are struggling something positive to take from my situation. You will be surprised what a few well written letters to the right people can do. Just a shame it's at a time when we are at our most vulnerable any old excuse.....zzzzzzz, but like I said and others, push for it, and youll get it fingers crossed , lets hope it makes a huge difference to you and kicking that ocd butt, hard legend Link to comment
Guest paramoregirl Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 that's great news ying yang, good luck Link to comment
Guest yinyang Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Thank you Paramore, how are you getting along? Link to comment
lovid Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Excellent that you managed to get help at last.It's a shame for the type of ocd sufferer who tends to feel that everything is their fault and that they deserve to feel this way.They are not going to ask for help even though they need it and the professionals are just letting them suffer in silence Link to comment
Guest yinyang Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Thanks It is a desperate shame. Let's hope last week gave them the courage to speak up Link to comment
Lucy24601 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 I've been begging for CBT alongside medication for YEARS and I still haven't had it! I've been offered more anti-psychotics, mood stablisers and various other nasties to 'control' my illness but I keep stressing that medication can only do so much! It's awful that we have to fight for what could be the best treatment for our conditions. Link to comment
lovid Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 Even if we've had all the cbt and should know everything we still need support every now and again to help deal with it in the long term Link to comment
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