Psychology support post surgery

[Andrea_1]

Hi, I am looking for some help. My son is 18yrs and underwent aortic replacement surgery almost 2yrs ago which had added complications in the following weeks. He has however fully recovered from a physical point of view. Since then he has really struggled with confidence and, I think anxiety and maybe some depression. He has not been in education or work and has lost friendships etc. It is only becoming apparent now that the surgery may have been the compounding problem and that I think he feels he is different from everyone else. Due to his age he had his last appointment at the children’s hospital 9 months post surgery and he is now waiting for his appointment with the adult team (this too seems to be problematic). I desperately want to get home the right psychological support that he needs but don’t know where to start. Does anyone have my ideas or experiences this themselves? I am so worried about him but don’t know where to go. Thank you in advance.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I will say "Hello and welcome to the forum!" as it is many years since you last posted. Have you spoken to his GP as some form of counselling may be appropriate. You could also try the cardiology department he is now under. The rehab group I attended post surgery could refer people thar were struggling.

[stevejb1810]

Like MichaelJH, I think counselling would be a good route to go. Your local surgery should be able to help, but you can also do this privately. Do a web search and you'll likely find someone local. If you know someone who has used such services before, a personal recommendation is always a good starting point

[Nathan53]

Hi Andrea - you could let your son know of the 'myheart' organisation who target support for young people with heart issues, link attached myheart.org.uk/

As Michael and Steve suggest counselling may also be something for your son to consider. Are you able to discuss with your son you have noticed he is struggling? as I think at 18 both GP and any Counsellor would prefer direct contact with your son. Of course you want to do everything you can to help him and I was thinking if you could sit down and reassure him and provide him with some information it may give him the confidence to take some action. As you say he has been through a lot at a young age without the usual problems many teens have. There could be a long waiting for counselling via GP so if you have the funds to pay you could consider private counselling. Check out the att link of approved counsellors bacp.co.uk/

Hope this helps a little he has come through a lot with your love and support and sure things will improve

[francesw47]

Hi

So pleased surgery was ok and he is physically well. Depression and anxiety are quite common after such major surgery.

He will also have to transfer to adult mental health services, I'm afraid. What would be best would be to go and see your GP, or, if you have one your social prescriber at the GP surgery, to find out what services are like locally - but your son will have to ask for services himself as they will not talk to you - he is now an adult.

There will be an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service locally which will offer CBT. CBT is the NICE recommended treatment for both anxiety and depression - and when I retired from our local IAPT service (!!) we were about to introduce specialist treatment for people with health conditions. Some IAPT services offer counselling as well, but usually only 6 - 8 appointments.

There will also be generic counselling available locally - but usually private treatment only.

There is an issue with young people aged 18 - 25 years as they are still young and do not tolerate waiting too well! Where I live our CAMHS service works with an agency specialising in counselling for young people and there is funding for counselling for youngsters aged between 18 - 25 years. Not necessarily the case elsewhere.

You say that you are waiting for an appointment with your local cardiologists - you could phone the secretary and ask about psychological support - psychologists are not necessarily funded in local hospitals they tend to operate from the big regional hospitals.

I would think the best thing you can do is to go and see your GP and ask about local availability - it varies so much. Once you have the information you could talk to your son with some solutions on offer.

Hope you get the right information and he is soon being seen for support.

Frances

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

If you would like to find a local Psychologist privately, look online for the British Psychological Society, which has a Directory of Chartered Psychologists. You can search for a local person who specialises in Health Psychology and/or young Adults.

Others here suggest a personal recommendation.....me too, if you can find one. Good practitioners will offer an introductory chat first, to see if they suit each other.

[magih]

Maybe visit your local library or bookstore and see if there are any books that describe thr different types of psychotherapy - there are so many. As another person replied, the NHS will offer CBT which is about introducing ways to deal with anxiety...while other types of psychotherapy look at the causes of anxiety and look back into the past.

Most therapists offer an initial introductory session at a cut rate, in the absence of a recommendation, it might be a case of visiting a few till he finds a ‘good fit’ - it is a talking therapy and success, as I understand it, comes from the relationship between the therapist & client, someone he feels relaxed about talking to.

Good luck.

[Catsncrochet]

If your son is willing to engage in some therapy, talk to your GP, who can perhaps refer him.

The key is his willingness

Good luck.

[chrisHillman]

Hi Andrea, I know from my own experience of open heart surgery the emotional turmoil post procedure. It effected me so much I have written a book to be launched in April about this subject and the journey of many patients who have suffered similarly.

I am trying to set up a service called 'Buddy Beat' a mentoring service by people who have gone through the journey to be there to mentor those who are about to take on the journey or who would like to talk to someone who has been there.

Please get in touch if you would like to have a chat.

Chris

[Kizzie54]

Hi, I believe CRY charity may be helpful here Cardiac Risk in the Young. I am sure they have forums and also offer counselling. We experienced sudden cardiac death and subsequently were directed to CRY - our son was only 18 wen we lost our daughter aged 21 xx He subsequently had to have an ICD fitted. He def struggled and still does from time to time. Give it a try xx