Update

[C7376283]

Hey - I hope you’re all doing well. I finally feel like I’m doing okay. I suffered a bit of a breakdown a couple of weeks ago and ended up in hospital. Since they’ve let me go home, I’ve been under the care of a crisis/home treatment team who have been amazing. I finally feel like I’m getting the support I’ve needed. The team has been extremely accommodating - I told them that the routine of work is good for me so they have agreed that instead of doing daily home visits which will be disruptive to my working pattern, I can come by every day after work. They’ve also reviewed my medication so we will see how that goes. I spoke to a psychiatrist who was wonderful - he gave me time, listened to me, didn’t come across as patronising or demeaning and he didn’t assume or judge. I feel I have been treated with the utmost dignity and I’m confident I’m in safe hands with this team. As this is only a short term service just to get me out of the immediate crisis, I’ll probably be discharged soon, by which point, I’m hoping to be fully equipped to care for myself and manage my depression in a more constructive way.

I hope you are all doing well and hanging in there. Does anyone have similar (or completely different) experiences with home treatment teams?

[Stilltrying_]

This is wonderful to hear. I had a poor treatment with home treatment team and they were not of any help to me at all and I just discharged myself from it. I am glad you have had a positive experience; it sounds like an amazing team. I am wondering where you are living. I am in the West Midlands, B'ham region and I find mental health services on the whole in this region not to be too good. That has been my experience. Lots of people leaving and not being replaced or being moved about. I've had 3 care co-ordinators in the space of 3 months as they employ them then move them to another team. At least I do have a care co-ordinator but each one has their ideas about how to treat you. So the first one just didn't bother much with me at all. The second one was full of wonderful promises that she'd see me every week but it ended up to be only two visits and with a 6 week gap. The new one again sounds very promising though at least she has only promised me once every three weeks which is more realistic than raising my hopes of more and then letting me down.

Anyway just wanted to say I am so pleased that you have had the help and support that you need and have been treated with the dignity that we all deserve. Here's to onwards and upwards for you. Also I can relate with you over having a work routine. It helps me a lot even though in my case it is voluntary work.

Gemma X

[C7376283 in reply to Stilltrying_]

Hey Gemma. I’m really sorry you’ve had a negative experience. It’s a shame that’s more the rule than the exception these days. I’ve been under a mental health team for a few months now and I’ve not been treated very well by them. I have also had a few pretty rough experiences with psychiatric staff when I’ve ended up in hospital for mental health reasons. Maybe my experience this time round has been so positive because my expectations were low to begin with! Regardless of the reason, I’m just relieved as my previous experiences left me so traumatised that I was reluctant to ask for help when I really, really needed it - I’m glad I did though. You’re right that it is a bit of a postcode lottery too. I’m from South London and the care I receive is generally quite poor, but I think I got lucky this time. I hope things get better for you. I also hope that your care co-ordinator can be of more help than the previous ones have. Stay strong and keep me updated. I hope you feel reassured that there are some decent ones out there. Take care x

[pinkplasticball]

That is amazing that you’re doing so well! I’m genuinely happy that you’ve had nothing but great experiences from those treating you. I’ve never had a home treatment team, but I’ve had some bad experiences with being judged and assumptions about me from doctors and psychiatrists. I have anxiety about seeing doctors for mental health issues now, I’m always paranoid they think I’m lying or some other negative thoughts. Thinking about seeing so many different people makes me want to freak out.

I guess if they were openly nice and open and nonjudgmental from the start, I’d be able to open up more. My PCD is good, he’s the one I’m seeing now, but I have a therapist appointment that I missed due to anxiety and had to reschedule to next month, and I’m already nervous. I hope she’s nice 😩

But I’m glad to hear there are caring individuals out there somewhere, I have hope that maybe she won’t be so bad.

[C7376283 in reply to pinkplasticball]

Thank you, it is really encouraging to finally have professional support I can trust. I hope things go well for you - I completely understand the nervousness and anxiety with getting someone new. I hope they’re able to help with what you’re going through. Very best wishes and good luck with it all x

[Anonymous-shan]

I’m so happy you’re doing well!

[C7376283 in reply to Anonymous-shan]

Thank you x

[Hidden]

Hiya, that is wonderful for you. You are absolutely correct - getting the right support and treatment, that is tailored to your circumstances is key, but the system can be hit and miss and, as you say, a postcode lottery. Just one person, a caring psychiatrist, who invests time in you, can make all the difference. Sometimes you just have to persevere, which can be very difficult when you are at a low ebb, but, as in your case, it's so worth it. I do believe though that 'people power' (whether small groups, as on here) or larger, campaigning organisations can achieve progress in ensuring that the Government and local services deliver a gold standard service for mental health across the board. That's what we all are entitled to and I don't think anyone should be expected to settle for second best. I'll get off my soap box now. Once again, I am so delighted for you and take care,

[C7376283 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much x

[Stilltrying_]

Just out of interest what is it they have done which has helped so much? What helps with your depression? I would like to know as mine just feels like a continual ongoing battle. I feel I am having to lie to people about how I really feel as they are sick of the unbroken record of me just not being ok. So I genuinely am interested in what aspects of helps. Also appreciate you earlier reply to me which was very helpful. Gemma X

[C7376283 in reply to Stilltrying_]

Hi Gemma, sorry I didn’t reply sooner. I think what helped the most for me was finally feeling like I was taken seriously. I’ve often had people tell me that there must be a reason for me feeling so sad and I’ve been so frustrated because nothing has really happened to trigger this. Speaking to someone who reassured me that sometimes people just become unwell has helped me realise that my illness was legitimate, as I did begin to ask myself if I was just subconsciously making this all up in my head. I now feel like I am just as deserving and in need of help than someone with a physical illness - this has helped me want to recover! I can relate to you when you say you have to lie about how you’re feeling cause you don’t want to be a burden. I do that too! You shouldn’t have to apologise for being unwell, and the repetitive and cyclical nature of this illness should not negate how very real and distressing it is for the person battling with it daily. Sometimes I wonder if it will ever get better but I’m trying to be hopeful and positive about it all. Take care - we are in this together. x

[Stilltrying_]

Thank you so much for this reply. It has helped. Yes it is a terrible illness and personally I don't feel i will ever get better but you are right about how real and distressing the illness is. Wishing you all the best and hope you continue to feel a little better. x