Tourettes is not a psychiatric disorder...

[LittleClapham]

I was told I MIGHT have Tourette syndrome when I was 15 years old. Then I was told it was a 'motor tic disorder' (apparently coughing, sniffing and wheezing were classed as 'motor' tics in the diagnostic manuals). I was diagnosed officially aged 19 by two doctors then again at 21 by a third doctor.

Boring introduction over with. I've been desperate for help, advice, a shoulder to cry on, anything that could make life easier for me ever since I recieved the diagnosis. I have searched far and wide to find someone who will understand the pain and misery I go through on a daily basis. It was only 2 weeks ago (approximately) at the 2010 Coventry Tourettes Action that I found out about the Tourettes clinics in London and Birmingham. I spoke to Professor Mary Robertson herself who told me to go to my GP and get a referral. 'At last!' I thought, 'I'm finally getting somewhere!'

I left the conference with new found hope and booked an appointment to see the GP. Today was the day of the appointment. I went along and told him about the conference, what I had been told, yadayadayada... He said that the NHS has changed it's policy (surprise surprise...) and now I need to go and see a psychiatrist. I sat and processed this (my Asperger syndrome makes it difficult for me to take verbal information in at times) then got really frustrated and argued with him for a few moments. Eventually I left feeling rather agitated. I was being referred to a MENTAL HEALTH specialist, where they specialise in PSYCHIATRIC disorders for a NEUROLOGICAL condition.

Needless to say I am feeling rather pessimistic about the whole thing. I haven't exactly had a good time with the mental health team in Milton Keynes, and I am not sure which one I am being referred to now (either Cambridgeshire or Bedfordshire) so I am worrying. I get this strange feeling that they 'aren't going to be able to help me' as this is the same rubbish I have heard again and again from the other mental health team. My question to the NHS is: 'You wouldn't send a person with a broken wrist to a mental health specialist, so why are you sending a person with a mis-wired (not broken) brain to one?'

Anyway I will have to wait and see. If anything comes of this I'll blog away and tell you all about it

[catherinem]

The clinic in Brum is excellent and I would recomend them anyday. Some of the TS specialists that are around are neuropsyciatrists it's taken me quite a while to get there via a neurologist and a psyciatrist, just try and keep your goal in mind and not be fobbed off. It was lovely to meet you, it's alway good to meet up with fellow ticcers.

[LittleClapham]

It was nice to meet you and everyone else too I would go to the one in B'ham but it's too far away from where I live. We don't have a car here. The others are in London one is near kings cross. St neots has a direct train link to kings cross.