NHS waste of time

[precious78]

I wanted to share with you today my latest dilema.

As you will know I haven't been feeling the best the past couple of days. So today I got to the Drs to ask for some help (it isn't my usual GP as she's away).

Months back I was referred to the CPN and was given 'online' counselling which was no use whatsoever. It went over panic attacks sure and made me understand, but it didn't and could not tackle the health anxiety and deep seated problems in the background. So without that fixed I asked what else they could do and they simply said they could give me medication (which I don't want cos it makes me worse) or they could ask the CPN to have a couple of sessions with me but after that I would be on my own.

I sat there in fits of tears and feeling completly hopeless while they told me that if I wanted proper counselling I would have to pay and go private.

I feel so let down and at a loss as to what I can do. They didn't seem to think that these sessions by the CPN would tackle the issues either and that I would have to take responsibility for how I felt myself. How can I do that?

I feel so utterly let down and deflated and am feeling really low today now. Has anyone else encountered this?

[kendo59]

Yep.
I waited 6 months for counselling, and finally had my first session last week (got another this afternoon so will update afterwards). Half my 1st session was spent listening to the counsellor explain that the NHS only pays for 6 sessions and if I need more, then I have to pay for it myself.
Due to my breakdown/anxiety/stress/depression, I can't work. How the heck can I afford to pay for private sessions?

I'm not sure the counselling helps, all it is, is me talking about my problems while she nods and says "oh dear" in all the right places. I'm SICK of talking about my problems. I want help finding a SOLUTION!!!

[precious78]

kendo this is my fear about the sessions I have been told I can have. I am worried they won't be trained to deal with HA and that it will all be a waste of time. I don't want to know what panic attacks are again, I have heard this till I'm sick of hearing it. I want some help and a solution!

[milly jones]

sorry but i have to defend the nhs and service here in flintshire.

i have had very quick treatments and sessions with the hospital psychiatrist and psychologist.

i have had individual and group cbt, and now psychoanalytical therapy.

my gp is superb and the mental health team supportive, sorry

milly xx

[BeltaineInchy]

Hmm, have to agree with Milly here too, maybe this just depends on how good your GP is.

I complained of anxiety and got referred to the district Psycho nurse. he was pretty much useless (he seemed more wired than me) but he referred me onto a Mindfulness course. Ask to be put on the wiaitng list for one. The results of the mindfulness program are very encouraging.

Inchy
...
/|\

[joyce1980]

Yes the NHS has been very good to me..

I think you should go to your local hospital and talk to the Crisis team there, they will speak to you and suggests the best therapy for you, which most likely will be to see a psychiatrist.

I feel you should register with another Dr or Call NHS and complain that you are not getting the help you need, remember: "The squeaky wheel,get's the oil"

x x x

[precious78]

This is very odd. I have to say I couldn't understand why they couldn't help me. I can undertsnad they have a system of referral but I can't get why I wouldn't have to pay to have proper counselling. Maybe it's the postcode lottery again. I don't really know what to do now as she was very insistent that the only option open to me was medication or 6 sessions with the CPN. I was very confused. What would they do if I was suicidal? I am not by the way, but would they still say that after 6 sessions I would have to 'go it alone'? It's crazy.

[Jaco45er]

I have the same experience as you precious.

When I 1st went to a GP for help, I was given SSRI's and not offered anything else. These meds made me a lot worse, and they tried me on 4 different types over 6 weeks until another GP took me off them and even stated that the last GP should have seen how I was reacting to them.

They then offered me therapy, so I waited 6 months for a course of EMDR.

It wasn't until the 3rd session that the therapist explained that EMDR was designed for PSTD.

I didn't suffer from PSTD, and EMDR seemed to be doing nothing so I quit thinking that my place could be better used by a PTSD sufferer.

I went back to the GP (different one) and was put on another list.

9 months later another therapy, to do with the state of mind and how we are all in one of 3 states, child, adult or parent.

This was painful to sit through, not because it stirred up any bad memories, but because it was as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike.

In the end I searched the net for info, got a copy of Claire Weekes and got back into the gym (that was hard, since health/heart anxiety was one of my fears). It was this action that was the most success.

I am not knocking the NHS, I do think most who work within it do a fine job, but I feel that anxiety/depression is such an indepth issue, and so personal to the sufferer, that GP's are not equipped, trained of have time to tackle these problems in the way they need to be, so meds seem to be offered before anything else.

I think in summary, there is just a lack of trained mental health specialists on the NHS, and the training does take a lot of time, resource and funding.

Politics man ;)

[precious78]

Yes I think I should have been clearer in the title of my post. My GP couldn't have been better with me. She has really been patient and taken the time to listen to me and understannd but I realise there is only so much she can do for me as she isn't qualified to counsell. She does have a great deal of knowledge on how it affects your body though which is how I have a good unerstanding of what happens.

It's just that I need help to break out of the cycle. While the online course I can see benefitting some people who get panic attacks for no reason, it doesn't help those of us who have other issues, such as HA and phobias, OCD etc.

I suppose I feel a bit lost at the moment as the GP I trust is away for weeks and therefore the raport I have built up with them is lost when you go to see soemone else who doesn't know the circumstances as such. They can only see what is written down on the screen.

I just can't understand why I can't go and see someone who is trained in CBT. I don't understand why I would have to pay for this. If I had a broken leg I would get referred to someone specialising in that so why is this any different?

[joyce1980]

You need to visit your local nhs mental health centre or hospital to get some advice.

You Dr doesn't seem clued in on your choices.

x x

[Pansy]

I think there is a bit of a Postcode Lottery where counselling and therapy are concerned.
My GP has been helpful up to a point. Like Precious, my GP understands the anxiety side, but resources seem to be so depleted you can only get 6 sessions and this is only after a very long wait. I can't afford private either.

All the work I have done so far has been on my own..............reading books, finding good websites. I am totally alone on this mission to rid myself of this 'thing' that has got such a grip on me.

How weird is this................our thoughts are so powerful we can convince ourselves we are ill, but we can't seem to convince ourselves we are well! :huh:

Pansy

[precious78]

Pansy I am so glad it isn't just me. I have done the same as you.

Have you tried medication? Or are you like me and it doesn't agree with you?

I am reading a great book at the moment. It's called the anxiety and phobia workbook and is really easy to follow and understand. I think it works on CBT. I have just ordered another of Claire Weekes' books.

Have you found anything yet that works?

[jue67]

I have no experience of the nhs and my health anxiety really, i had panic attacks very extreme in the past and was put on meds at one surgery as i wasnt coping with every day life. my new surgery said i shouldnt be taking them, and he would take me off them in a few months. I decided that it wasnt his choice and stopped taking them anyway.
for me i wasnt offered counselling, but i joined no panic, the voluntary charity, i used to phone their volunteers up to 5 times day trying to get through my panic. i got rid of the panic attacks with their support, but was left with health anxiety, i had to work on this myself. i got a relaxation cd, you need to do it everyday for effect.

i think, and this is only my opinion but i think that the cure or at least learning about and living with this comes from within and that is why the counselling sessions are short, its a start and is meant to guide you. then the rest is up to you, and you have to work on it.

claire weekes books are great, i would recommend them, i still read them over and over again and my periods of anxiety are less and less. mostly i get it just before im due on now.
maybe you could do some research, and learn coping strategies, then your relying on no one but you for this, having the basics made a difference to me. but this is just me, may not work for everyone. i made this choice because i have a child and could not let it interfere in my care for her, i wanted to live life and not miss out, but i think this is a point you have to come to.

julie

[Pansy]

Precious................no, definitely not just you!

I didn't want any meds. I'm rubbish at taking them. I really want to do it without them, not become reliant.

I'm interested the book you are currently reading, who is the author?

Claire Weekes books are really good, I've read them in the past.

I have also tried hard to adjust my lifestyle (doesn't always happen lol). I am trying to eat healthily and excercise a bit more. I think being active does help, rather than just dwell on the anxiety. But I do find just coping with it really tires me out.
I have also completely cut out fizzy drinks, colas and such like. I realised at one point I was drinking over 3 pints of cola a day. When I heard it was really good for cleaning pipes, that did it!! Imagine what it was doing to our insides .haha. However, I went through a few days of withdrawls which were really bad. I can honestly say I do feel better having cut fizzy cola drinks, even the diet ones.

Different things workd for different people...............you just have find what's good for you. It's good to hear other ideas as well.

Good to hear from you.

Pansy

[precious78]

Pansy - Edmund Bourne

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anxiety-Phobia-Workbook/dp/1572244135/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217410365&sr=8-1

I find it relaly helpful as there are a lot of exercises in it as well. And it mentions Claire Weekes alot too so it along a similar line.

I am so shattered with it all at the moment I worry that there is soemthing more. Just when I think I am accepting it a new symptom comes along and sets me back.

The tiredness is really aggravating.

[Pansy]

Thanks Precious.............I'll check out the book.

Hope you are feeling a bit better.

Pansy