I knew I wasn't a hypochondriac. Is it Functional Neurological Disorder?

[debwill1427]

I have been battling for about 3 years from increased Neurological, Mental, and Physical symptoms. A Psychiatrist told me to accept my difficulties following a Traumatic Brain Injury. At my age I should expect to sleep less and slow down a bit. I suffered my injury 38 years ago and think I have accepted my difficulties by now. In fact I think I am quite an expert now and certainly know more than her, the tricks and adjustments that can be made to reduce the impact on your life, Mentally, Physically and Cognitively. 2 years ago I asked my GP, could I have Dementia? The answer was no, but a year ago I was referred to a clinic to check and assess my memory. I passed the memory test with flying colours. Very strange as I can't remember yesterday! It happened to be a good day, early in the morning, early in the week and following a day free from stress, distress, pressure, or tiring activities. I may be wrong but I need to know as I am being refused a proper assessment or any treatment or support from Mental Health Services. It is so frustrating as I returned to full time work as soon as possible and worked hard for as long as I could, paying taxes and National Insurance. I have always tried my best to contribute to Society rather than being a burden on Society or the Public purse. Now I am costing more than ever due to my inability to function or keep my impulsive behaviour in check. I am at the end of my tether and just Physically and Mentally exhausted. Sorry I am rambling but it seems to help just writing things down. Maybe someone out there will understand what I am going through and battling with.

[StrawberryCream]

What part of your brain was damaged? Could it be a frontal brain injury/dysexecutive difficulties?

[Kirk5w7]

Hi Deb,

I have 3 journals now of the times i need to get all those thoughts out of my head. Some are ramblings some more structured, but better than any GP or counsellor telling you all those things you know already.

In fact when i did see a counsellor they suggested i didnt need my 6 sessions i was entitled to because I “already knew what i needed to do” . Very comforting but.....

So, ive filled those 3 journals in 5 years, that was when my BI occurred but i was unable to continue work.

It is unlikely you have dementia, just the normal aging process plus a bit of short term memory decrease. Some days mine is better than others, probably as you say , lack of stress etc etc. Unfortunately the NHS is seriously strapped for cash, many of the early years the money put in to it was not invested/ used wisely add to that a population living longer wit more complex health needs ,so now it is struggling to cover what it was intended for.

Mental Health is an area that is really groaning under the weight. Keep on in there, if necessary keep yor your posts coning, we understand how much it helps to offload those frustrations.

Janet

[Hidden in reply to Kirk5w7]

Are you on any meds ?

[Kirk5w7 in reply to Hidden]

I take medication to control my blood pressure and pregabalin to control my headaches.

In addition i take the following supplements, D3 mainly in the winter, CoEQ10 because Im getting older, a muti Bvit and also a fiaxseed oil cap for omega3 ( im allergic to fish oil caps) for my brain.

I do lots of puzzles, including jig saws cos they help the motor skills too, and try to walk at least 8,000 steps a day and swim once a week.

[Hidden]

In my experience asking for help over last 4 yrs,is referrals are not made,made to the wrong people,wrong info is put down-because if u don't tick their boxes,u won't get anywhere. Plus(like me) if u think u know more than them,they can't be told anything,tho u live with ur individual issues!

There's alot of talk about dementia-but not alot being done unless u hit a certain age,and u pay for ur treatment! I know someone who can barely get out the door at 64 and he just wants to die!

As for mental health services-all they act on are the psychotic as in Schizophrenia. And then ur lucky. I was listed as non psychotic(severe) in care treatment and they done zero! And a psychiatrist(lazy quack called Dr Dasyam)caused a friends suicide!

I could write a book on Solent NHS's abysmal local CMHT,are a bloody joke!

Noone is accountable anymore!

If u complain u are paranoid-but not enough to treat! LOL

As for FND-it's given so DWP see 'functional' as 'ok back to work,cut money'! I was given a card by a Neuropssychiatrist that said FND,no explanation,she kept a stack in drawer-said to me i was being fobbed off!

[steve55 in reply to Hidden]

ive had 3 psychiatrists 2 great and one an absolute waste of space. the one im seeing at the moment, may not be whichever the case maybe ( hes been offered a position in austrailia but is still here is great, we sit and discuss things if i say id like to go away and think it over, theres no pressure including meds.

it takes me a long time to get used to someone and i will be really sorry to see this one go.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I will say this, I wouldn't go anywhere near a cmht ever again after my experience. I'm not somebody who seeks help from a GP unless I'm literally unfunctionable, I was labelled a benzo seeker (got access to my notes) because I was asking for sleeping tablets to get back into my routine for work(self employed) they put me on anti psychotics. the CMHT don't do full mental health assessments, they don't take into account your past medical history and they narrate the interviews they give you to find the easiest solution to medicate you and send you away. I'm absolutely horrified that people are being put on psychiatric medications without having a full mental health assessment. There is no doubt in my mind there are thousands of people being Mis diagnosed and wrongly medicated due to Cmht.

I went to a private psychiatrist and had a 2 hour assessment with a differential diagnosis of ADHD or bipolar, he was more convinced it was ADHD yet the cmht have not even taken action on anything he wrote, they spoke to me for half an hour and put me on anti psychotics.

There were people in the waiting room with bald patches in their scalps, rocking backwards and forwards, talking loud and repeating over and over the same thing.

Ironically whilst on the antipsychotics, I started picking my skin til it bled and started losing my memory, became obsessed with the news that I kept refreshing the page for almost 3 weeks.

Nobody should be given anti psychotic medication unless they are psychotic and other treatments have failed.

The Negligence is real.