Mental Health Advice: So every time I talk... - Endometriosis UK

Endometriosis UK

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Mental Health Advice

Harpyiai profile image
17 Replies

So every time I talk to my doctor about my mental health, either my hormones or my endo are 'to blame' and I am not getting the help I need.

I do not want to go into detail what I am going through psychologically, but its got to a point I am getting scared. I am sure so many of you have suffered with your mental health along with our conditions.

What should I do? How can I actually get the help I need without being fobbed off as hormones.

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Harpyiai profile image
Harpyiai
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17 Replies
kamanda profile image
kamanda

I have anxiety, panic attacks and feelings of depression because of my Endometriosis, ask for a referral to a psychologist - doctors can’t really help in this situation. Best of luck xooxxo

Harpyiai profile image
Harpyiai in reply to kamanda

The panic attacks are the ones that I ruining my life. I have tried (SO SO MANY TIMES) asking for referrals but I just get 'its your hormones' or 'its all part of your endometriosis symptoms'. Who else do I go to?

kamanda profile image
kamanda in reply to Harpyiai

Hmm that’s tough, I’m from Sydney Australia and when you go to a doctor her you just say “I want to see a psychologist” and there is no questions asked, they just give you a referral. I’d maybe see a different doctor and explain that the feelings your having are worrying you - and that you NEED to see someone, they really can’t say no to that! Xx

Harpyiai profile image
Harpyiai in reply to kamanda

Also thank you for taking your time to help me :)

Tillyfloss profile image
Tillyfloss

hi. How are you doing today? Getting help for mental health in my local area is hard work ☹ . Depending on where you live you can sometimes self refer which means you get a phone assessment and they decide what to do going forward. If you look up your local areas mental health procedures they should guide you. I also found minds information very useful and I think they have a help line you can get advice from to. The hormones may very well be having a part to play but you are recognizing you want help which is half the battle so well done. If you need to talk just message me. Xx

Harpyiai profile image
Harpyiai in reply to Tillyfloss

Honestly, no words can explain what I feel. I have just contacted Mind to ask what I should do, as no one in my area will refer me. Thank you for your response and taking your time to help :)

Tillyfloss profile image
Tillyfloss in reply to Harpyiai

hi. How are you doing? Have you got access to the inapt service where you are? The other thing is the crisis team, we found them brilliant and I hope its available everywhere. Hormones do cause changes in mood and thoughts but it shouldn't mean it's ignored, mental health is very important. Keep going till you get the help. Take care. Xx

Harpyiai profile image
Harpyiai in reply to Tillyfloss

Honestly feel I am getting worse. Just keep having episodes of fear. Tried asking for an urgent appointment with GP, have to wait few weeks. Tried talking to other communities on here, specific to mental health and had my posts removed for my state being "too severe".

Tried talking to Mind, finding other services in my area. With no luck.

Its scary how hard you have to try to get help. And when someone does listen, you have to keep trying and trying until you get anywhere. I have asked for help from my GP countless times, the best I got was breathing exercises!

Tillyfloss profile image
Tillyfloss in reply to Harpyiai

hi. How are you doing? If you need feel you need help please call 111, be very honest and they can arrange for you to see the mental health team who will assess and help ( this was what finally got us to the right people to help us and you can let someone else speak to them on your before which was very useful). Be clear you have tried to get help via gp and it's not being taken seriously ( we also had this problem). You have won half the battle by recognising you need some help, you just have to find the right person who will reach out and get you that help. Xx

Harpyiai profile image
Harpyiai in reply to Tillyfloss

Thank you so much :) Send you all the best.

Tillyfloss profile image
Tillyfloss in reply to Harpyiai

hi. How are you doing? Xx

misscharlie profile image
misscharlie

Hello, sorry to hear you're suffering. Have you tried IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies)? In many parts of the country you can self-refer and do not need a GP to authorise referral. Usually they give you a telephone assessment followed by a short course of counselling face to face. I don't know if you have tried this though it might be worth exploring x

Harpyiai profile image
Harpyiai in reply to misscharlie

Where would I find this information?

Thank you for giving your time to reply, honestly, thank you :)

misscharlie profile image
misscharlie in reply to Harpyiai

Perhaps google IAPT and the part of the country you're living in, then it might bring up relevant results x

Verity123 profile image
Verity123

Hi, I hope that you are OK and I'm so sorry that you are suffering in this manner. It seems that your GP isn't addressing or taking your symptoms seriously. However, I think that your hormones are probably having an impact on your mental health. Therefore, I would suggest that you request a full thyroid evaluation from your GP. You will need to request TSH, FT4, FT3 and both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies to be tested.

It is recommended that all thyroid blood tests should be taken as early as possible in the morning and fasting. This is a patient to patient tip but gives the most accurate picture of your thyroid function.

Often, the NHS refuses to test FT3 and thyroid antibodies, if TSH is within range. However, private tests are available online with companies such as Medichecks and Blue Horizon being popular.

It is important to note, there are many symptoms of hypothyroidism which include depression, severe anxiety/panic attacks. Therefore, I really recommend that you investigate this further and book a blood test.

Nevertheless, I would act upon the advice given previously and seek further help and support for you mental wellbeing. Please post again if you need any further help and good luck. Xx

Harpyiai profile image
Harpyiai in reply to Verity123

Wow. I never even knew that. I am currently moving between GPs at the moment, but I might ask about that. I have just noticed I am getting other side effects from my pill, including fatigue (I am falling asleep every 2 hours). So have come off them for a bit to see if my mental health changes too.

Thank you for taking your time to reply :) Best wishes

bexiiee_b profile image
bexiiee_b

You know you better than anyone else about your health, wellbeing and how you feel.

Even if you have these feelings bc of endo / hormones you still feel that way and so it needs to be addressed!!

My advice would be to take a deep breath before your next doctors appointment and when they ask why you're there clearly and succinctly say "I don't feel like I'm being taken seriously. I feel XYZ and because of this I want a referral for counselling / some extra support. If you are unable to support me, as my GP who should have my best interests at heart, I will be given no choice other than to change my GP".

This is HARD to do - I have once done this to a "mental health specialist" who told me I was on "gold standard treatment" and so there was nothing more they could do despite the fact I was suicidal. The next appointment I explained how that made me feel and explained that I wouldn't be seeing them again.

Doctors and nurses are human and get so bogged down with seeing so many patients that each individual can become a blur. Sometimes they need this feedback.

It is our responsibility to help not only ourselves but also their future patients who feel that way and are dismissed. If you say something then the GP is more likely to remember what you've said when it comes to treating future patients with similar symptoms / feelings.

I hope you get the help you need.

Remember, you're not alone xx

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