Provision of mental health support wit... - British Liver Trust

British Liver Trust

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Provision of mental health support with cirrhosis, varices and heptacellular carcinoma.

Remainer profile image
6 Replies

Maybe the British Liver Trust could inform on what mental health help is available when facing various and serious liver conditions?

Does anyone else get help or support with these issues, and if so what.

I think it is a much overlooked area that needs addressing.

I am a carer for my husband with NASH, variceal haemorrhage and HCC treated by radio frequency ablation.

Thank you.

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Remainer
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6 Replies
AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK

My hubby saw a psychologist for about 15 minutes during an early transplant clinic appointment and it was deemed he was suffering from an 'adjustment depression' following going from healthy to so very poorly almost literally overnight. He's had no follow up treatment or counselling or anything and never saw the psychologist during his transplant assessment or when taken off the list.

It is an area which deserves some thought as it is a massive ordeal to go through and just be left to cope alone.

Katie

Remainer profile image
Remainer in reply toAyrshireK

Katie, you are so very right. My husband has anxiety and depression with all that has happened over the past 4 years. Help is non-existent (apart from antidepressants), and the worry and anguish people face is huge.

Thank you for your reply, and sorry to hear of your hubby's experiences. It is awful that support is very poor.

Christine x

in reply toAyrshireK

This is unbelievable. I am genuinely shocked at the lack of support with regard to the counselling aspect. I do hope he has managed to deal with it since then. I guess, you as the carer also require some help too, but it seems you both have had to help each other through this very difficult time. All the best :)

Remainer profile image
Remainer in reply to

Thank you. Mental health services are on their knees and need desperate funding.

It is tragic that help is not automatically offered, given the illness they face.

Christine x

Hi,

The provision of mental health support is very important, thank you for raising the issue on the forum.

The primary way to get any access is via the GP. They will be able to assess and then refer on to the appropriate services.

It also may be worth enquiring with your husbands liver team if they can advise with the referral process. Does your husband have a liver specialist nurse? They are a great contact and often very knowledgable about local services.

I will pass this query on to our senior team and if I can find out any additional information I will get straight back to you,

Warm wishes,

Rebecca

Remainer profile image
Remainer

Hi Rebecca,

We have indeed visited the GP on many occasions - hence the anti-depressants.

When referred to mh services it is a waste of time, because although different dr's have said he needs to be seen by a psychiatrist for a review of his mental state - the mh team never do this, and when you are referred to the services, these are the people you see first. They talk a lot but do nothing.

Yes, my husband has a liver nurse in Leeds, but we live in Blackpool.

Thanks,

Christine

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