Waiting over 3 years for psychotherapy.

[sobs1962]

Has anyone in the UK,who's on here had to wait a ridiculously long time to receive some form of psychotherapy. I was originally referred by the psychiatrist in October 2017, was seen by a therapist,this time last year with a view to offering me TFP (Transference Focussed Psychotherapy) but after 10 weeks of trying they said it wasn't suitable for me and I believe speaking to a therapist who had no empathy or compassion for those 10 weeks, has actually made me worse. I am now supposedly waiting to start something called SCM pathway for people like me with Borderline Personality Disorder as well as anxiety and depression. The thing is, I am beginning to think that nothing is ever going to happen as no-one has contacted me and I'm sick of people using this virus as an excuse for things to NOT get done.

Be interested in any words of support or wisdom as I'm at the point where I genuinely don't want to go on anymore as I hate myself so much and I detest being me.

[Reading_Rando]

As an American I can't help you much there but, I just want to say that you deserve empathy, dignity and help. I had a gaslighting therapist before so I know how much that hurts. No matter what anyone tells you it's ok to not be ok. Dont blame yourself for not being some unrealistic model human being becuase nobody is, even people without mental illness.

[Hidden]

That's awful to be waiting for so long. No idea how health care works where you live, I am in U.S. Here I have been fretting about a delay of a few months! You really and truly put my problem in perspective. Is the wait because it's government run health care? Is it possible to get treatment independently of the system?

[sobs1962 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for reply, yes our health system is called National Health Service and is government funded. If you are young i.e.under 25 there is much more chance of getting treatment quicker,but unfortunately I am 58 and have been in the system for over 30 years and despite having had counselling and psychotherapy in the past,my BPD, depression and anxiety have not improved much ,in fact over the last 3 years my mental health has got worse and psychiatrist says my depression is treatment resistant and despite stopping drinking alcohol to try to improve it, it has become worse. I also have hypothyroidism which is not being adequately treated,so it's like a double whammy. I'm almost at the end of my tether with it all and feel suicidal on a regular basis.To make matters worse,I can't afford to go for private treatment or I definitely would.

[Hidden in reply to sobs1962]

Oh, I am familiar with hypothyroidism. That sort of problem runs in my family. Oof, that's rough. I hope reaching out on here helps somewhat. Especially if it can help relieve the suicidal feelings. Have you tried the natural remedies, like St. John's Wort?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That's so horrible to be stuck in a system that's not giving you treatment. I think the US is headed toward government funded healthcare now. People call it "free." I want to paraphrase Rumpelstiltskin in Once Upon a Time, "All healthcare... comes at a price!"

[Noquarter in reply to Hidden]

Nothing is free.

[Hidden in reply to Noquarter]

Except the best things. "The best things in life are free!" 🙂

[Noquarter in reply to Hidden]

Absolutely right you are. We tend to forget that.

[Hibiscus59 in reply to Noquarter]

I’m in the U.K. and also have been waiting for 4 years for therapy x

[sobs1962 in reply to Hibiscus59]

Thanks for reply,whereabouts are you, I live in Salford,Greater Manchester and what kind of therapy are you waiting for? You don't have to tell me but it appears if you're older i.e. Over 30 your mental health is just not that important and sadly those of us in this position have a very high chance of becoming another number added to the suicide statistics.

[Hibiscus59 in reply to sobs1962]

I’m waiting for trauma therapy x

[Hibiscus59 in reply to sobs1962]

I also have hypothyroidism

[Hibiscus59]

Newcastle and I’m 60 and agree it seems age plays a big part .

[sobs1962 in reply to Hibiscus59]

Thanks for your replies and actually I have been offered a therapy which was due to start in December, only saw the therapist once,he went off sick and I've heard nothing since,so looks like I'm waiting all over again and now we've gone back into lockdown again,it's probably going to be a good few more months before anything more happens.I am really struggling but the virus has taken over everything it seems and on top of that I have to attend hospital for tests to rule out ovarian cancer as have had some of the symptoms. It never rains but it pours in my world and it sometimes feel like there's a massive conspiracy against me,which may sound crazy but that's how the BPD brain works.