Seriously let down by my GP, unsure what to do now...

Hi, I've had the roughest 12 months in terms of my mental health, having been under the care of psychiatrist since 2005. Last year my life finally unravelled and I had to give up my job and my home and move back in with my parents at 37, because of serious depression and anxiety, and a real attempt on my life stopped only by a concerned friend who couldn't make contact, ringing the police and them gaining access to my home and calling an ambulance. I have since been diagnosed as have a treatment resistant mood disorder and Bipolar depression. I finally feel more stable back with my family, it's not easy being the 37 year old child at home, but I was scared of myself when living alone.

Because I had to stop work, a law career that I worked hard to achieve and really loved, I've put in a claim for ESA (back in November), and I'm still waiting to be assessed and moved from the basic rate. I found out last week that medical evidence from my GP had finally been requested. I asked to see what he had sent in, and discovered to my horror, the description of my condition was simply 'low mood'. Not even depression, never mind the rest of it, but low mood isn't even a clinical diagnosis!! I'm so upset, and feel utterly betrayed by this man who has sat listening while I've sobbed my guts out in his office about being afraid of my thoughts when they run away and make me want to harm myself. It's as if he hasn't taken it remotely seriously, despite making all the right noises.

My psychiatrist has today written an accurate letter adding that I do not have the mental resilience to deal with employment of any kind and I am chronically disabled, but when I phoned Atos to ask where to send it to in light of the GPs lack of, they said it could go on my file for the assessment but that they'd already decided to call me in for an assessment based on insufficient medical evidence. I am terrified of having to attend and talk about this in person. It's easier to write it down, but I struggle to engage with my psychotherapist about what is going on, never mind a stranger out to trip me up at every opportunity who may know nothing of my condition. I haven't been given an appointment but I'm already in a state about it, and I never want to see my GP again, as I feel he just doesn't get it.

I really don't know if I can go through this. Sorry for waffling x

[snow-13]

Call them up and say you can't cope with attending due to your illness and that you would need a house visit. I totally understand as i fought hard for my sister who has suffered mental health for years with very little understanding from professional people. You know how you feel and it is very hard to talk about it as it was for my sister. If you turn up for the assessment alone, they will find you fit for work right away. I went with my sister who was in an awful state but next time form came in we put she could not attend due to anxiety and fear.

[Hidden in reply to snow-13]

Thank you for replying. I'm going to send the psychiatrists letter today, and I think ask for it to be looked at by someone with experience of mental health illnesses to consider whether they can make a decision without a face to face assessment. If they won't move on that then I'll ask for a home visit. Thankfully the psychiatrists letter is written in very strong terms, but I'm left feeling as if I've been flayed a lived by my GP for trusting him with it in the first place! I'm sorry to hear your sister suffers too, I know it's hard for our families, sometimes I think harder than for us suffering the illness x

[Stilltrying_ in reply to Hidden]

This sounds like a plan. Also if you are able or if anyone is able on your behalf the CAB sometimes have welfare rights advisors who can get involved with this type of thing . All the best. I completely sympathise with your position and really feel for you in this. Gemmalouise x

[snow-13]

I totally understand the whole gp side of things, mine has also let me down. They sometime have no clue about depression, low mood is a typical way of working when someone does not really know what your going through.. Hope things go right for you with this cause I know how hard it is for my sister to face things x

[Hidden]

I do understand how let down you feel by your doctor. Can't you change him? I usually find female doctors are generally more sympathetic to mental health issues. You can't change the past but you can your future. I don't envy you having to go through the ATOS meeting but if you can stay strong enough to deal with it you will benefit in the long run. You need to have someone with you though. Good luck with it and let us know what happens please. xx

[easedale]

its ridiculous. gone r the days when a gp consultation are private and confidential. why should anyone have to go through this - can the word of a doctor no longer be trusted to be honest. there fore they are surely making a criminal offence when they sign a "sick note". I went through an appeal procedure over 12 months ago and won my case.