Appointment

[Roadhog]

Well, I had an appointment with the Mental Health nurse today, it was a half hour appointment but it lasted well over an hour. This is probably the hardest appointment emotionally for me to date. Lately, I have been extremely low. On a scale of 0 - 10 I would reckon I am a 1 - 2 at best. I have no energy, completely lethargic and all those things which once brought me please I just think meh and can't be a***d. I can start things and can't finish them, I have no focus. This horrid depression has really hit me hard with this bout. I still do not know my triggers, even after more than 30 years and today at the appointment with the nurse I was referred to a psychiatrist, I said thank you because I have never been seen by one before, then the nurse tells me that the current waiting list is 42 weeks long. I have no idea how I can deal with this long a wait. I am in that dark place now, I can't see 42 weeks ahead of me and I told her this. Heck, I think I am going to have to pay out a lot of money to see someone because the NHS is not able to provide the help needed at the point of need. Right now, I have been low for some several weeks, I cannot lift it and I now have nowhere left to turn. What now?

[denvajade]

Hi there, I feel for you, perhaps it would be a good idea to see a psychiatrist just once to see if the think you have some other mental illness rather than just depression, he will suggest meds for you. I am currently on Cymbalta and it has taken me out of a very bad place, at least I feel I can cope now. Wishing you well.

[WhiteAlice]

42 weeks! If at all possible try to get to one on your own. I hope he can find relief for you. In the meantime, stick around here and talk to us, please.

[MHprofessional]

Your GP remains responsible for your care until you are seen by a psychiatrist. You need to keep in regular contact with your GP so that they can monitor your condition and the impact of any treatments prescribed. Did the nurse explain whether they would continue to see you? if you feel that you are at risk you should get in touch with the GP/ Nurse or use one of the helplines available such as the Samaritans. Make sure that you stay in touch with services.

[cazza8]

Hang in there, maybe you should contact a few local psychiatrists to see how much they charge. I can't believe you've only just been refered to one after suffering for so long.

[Rick1on1]

Hi Roadhog,

You can develop your own action plan but taking some of the advice that has worked for others such as:

- Taking a prescribed anti-depressant

- Write about your feelings in a journal. Use as many words as possible to describe what you feel and what you think is the cause. This might help to pin-point those triggers so that you can learn to avoid them.

- Exercise

- Keep hydrated

- Eat as much fresh food as possible. Stay away from sugars.

- Volunteer - this will help you to gain a sense of achievement which is invaluable for rebuilding self-esteem.

Hope this helps?

Rick1on1

[Olderal]

Hello Roadhog. I quite understand why you feel so low, 42 weeks when depressed will seem like 42 centuries. Don't get hung up on it though.You'll probably be out of this spell of depression well before then and wondering why you need to see a psychiatrist at all. Even if like mine your depression is not linked to the seasons, spring and Summer must help a bit.

My spells of depression (currently I'm with you at about 1-2 out of 10) usually last about 6 months and after 30 years you probably have an idea of how long yours last.

All the things you describe in your first few sentences you must have had before and know are typical of depression and the current spell always feels the worst ever. By now you probably know the sensible things to do to help , exercise , medication , healthy sleep and eating habits , all the usual things that are almost impossible to do and each one of which only helps a little bit. Don't beat yourself up when you fail on some of them. We all do ,just start again tomorrow trying again. A psychiatrist is another thing that adds a little to the things that help, but not a lot. Except in the case of reactive depression caused by a definite event (death of a spouse, redundancy etc) I don't think psychiatrists ever identify "triggers" or whatever untriggers depression. Its about time they could and would help a lot but they can't so far. There must be a reason why my and your mind suddenly starts seeing the same things in a negative light i.e.a trigger but theres a fortune waiting for the man who finds it especially if he can untrigger it.

Personally I think for the little help a psychiatrist will give (and I've had a few) you're better saving your money but when you get a free appointment (NHS) use it. You'll probably be better by then, but write it all down now so that you can present it to him/her. After 42 weeks you'll have earned that'

I do wish you well , its not a lot of fun down here in the 1-2 s.

Olderal

[Clazzy78]

Hi. I've seen an NHS psychiatrist once after like you a referral from my CPN.

We talked which was good and he recommended a better medication regimen which was far more then my GP was currently prescribing. He did point out some GPs usually don't prescribe at a higher enough dose.

I didn't see him again but i did make progress with my treatment/ medication.

I'm sorry I cannot remember how long I waited, it was a few months but 42 weeks is a joke!

It may be the case that you will feel better once the appt has come round but Olderals idea is a fantastic one to write things down and take with you.

Only you can know if you would feel better seeing a psychiatrist sooner. If you did, would they write to your GP and recommend any changes or would you have to keep seeing them for medication changes other therapy options?

Much love ❤️

[8331057]

I hope you make and keep your appointment and put yourself into the doctors hands. You cannot "think" yourself out of a depression, especially if it is clinical depression like mine. This is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Good luck.