Why "Low Mood"?

[Travelmonkey]

I have a very close friend who lives with me and has suffered for the past 20 years with severe anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts etc. He has been taking anti depressants but wants desperately to stop them. Unfortunately, the gp refuses to refer him for therapy for his now diagnosed condition (BPD and PTSD). My friend asked me to go with him to his last gp visit and I noticed that she referred to his condition as "low mood". Since then, I have seen this description being used more and more often. I was wondering if anyone can explain the shift to me? I feel that it detracts from the seriousness of what people are going through.

[Hidden]

In some towns there are ways to refer yourself for therapy in the UK, GP Surgeries refer sometimes to that agency, Has the GP at any time given a course of therapy. Discuss with the Doctor to be reviewed, however treatment these days may be rationed to 10/12 Sessions in the UK.

You can also approach Mental Health Day Centres that can provide a further restricted service. The centres have a policy where people with mental health concerns can meet others with same type of conditions, Where they support each other . There may be a restricted service of therapy given within the centre of about 6/10 sessions.

If your friend has been ill for twenty years some form of treatment may have been given and they felt no benefit was achieved. Regards medication, that will depend on how your GP considers your friends condition. The way sometimes GP work they may feel medications will not help therefore, Low mood, Depression may be best treated over time by the Patient if the doctor feels your friend has had self help explained to him in the past.

If your friend had PTSD, has had treatment in the past and this has not worked the same may apply. Treatment in the UK is rationed I understand.

Low mood is a catch all phrase I feel, and will be treated as such, I do not now what has gone on in the past I am not a health Professional. Personally if not happy see a different GP in the same practice, or if it is felt the Practice is not helping look for a new GP Surgery to attend.

If your friend has not seen the GP for some time, next time make a list of your fears and worries to your Doctor, this will help explaining how the person feels

BOB

[Travelmonkey in reply to Hidden]

Thank you BOB. Yes he did self refer but the therapy offered was restricted to 6 sessions of CBT. He had been paying privately for EDMR which was helping enormously but he ran out of money. In my opinion, the NHS wants to say that they are helping people but in reality are only interested in the "easy" cases. He does need to have another assessment at he GP surgery and has already said that he will be requesting a different doctor as the one before was incredibly unempathetic.

[Hidden in reply to Travelmonkey]

I am generally finding in my case they diagnosed my additional conditions through various tests then past me over to a CPN ,, who discharged me. I can self refer myself for about ten sessions. I get a report as does my GP so I need to follow all I have learned then possibly mid next year either get my GP to refer for CBT or arrange it for myself.

Yes I know my conditions and in my case they are reducing medications with the exception of my AD medications, they want to stop a minimal dose of Amatryptalene that is taken for nerve damage. I get assessments for Dementia now as I have a Congenital Brain Disorder, with depression linked to my various health concerns.

You do not mention how old your friend is and what has caused the PDSA, He should have been helped to come to terms with the condition and hopefully move on. I know in my case I am using various techniques explained to me by Pensioners health Clinic ?

They look at CBT as a learning how to control your concerns, they say you know the techniques , move on. Is He taking medications ?

It all depends in some way to how long your friend had His last course of CBT, and if the problem He has was controlled.

[Missy_D]

Hi, I also have BPD and detest the description of "low mood" as my mood cycles throughout the day (although generally the wait in the waiting room at my GP surgery is usually enough to trigger a depressive episode so they rarely see the "high mood") and yes it does detract from the seriousness and complexity of people's diagnosis.

Bob has already suggested Mental Health Day Centers, but you could also try Mind (mind.org.uk/). Unable to get CBT / talking therapies via self referral (the waiting time was over 9 months) I was able to get a support worker from Mind for 1 year. In that time I was able to access group therapy run by qualified therapists. This was free but when funding run out the group closed so I opted to attend a fee paying group, run by Mind (with one of the counselors being the same). Although I have to pay for it I know that I will be able to access group therapy every week for as long as I need it.

I would be pressing the GP to refer back to Adult Mental Health Services, especially if he wishes to stop taking anti-depressants as he would need to be closely monitored. If you can get a referral then I would asked about STEPPS - this is a specialist psychologist led learning especially for those with BPD and teaches emotion and behavior management skills. I have completed it and it taught me a lot about myself and how I now manage my BPD.

Lastly, you are a very good friend and they are lucky to have someone as supportive as you in their lives

[Travelmonkey in reply to Missy_D]

Thank you Missy_D, I haven't heard of STEPPS so I will check that out for him. My friend is 36 but has been referred to a psychiatrist from as young as 6 years old. It wasn't until last year when he had funds available, that he paid for a formal diagnosis. The PTSD is diagnosed but he doesn't remember any specific event.

Thank you for your kind words, it is hard to see someone suffering and not knowing how to help and then I get upset when the ignorant dismiss it as "sadness" or "low mood".