UKguy
11-14-2008, 10:37 AM
ive got to wait 6 months before i get to see a healthcare professional. have asked my doctor if i could go private with it but he said that there is nowhere that deals with this kind of thing. feels like ive made so much effort and its taken alot of balls to admit my faults etc, for absolutely nothing!! i cant go another 6 months feeling the way i do.
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ldsfriend
11-14-2008, 01:33 PM
Desperate circumstances require desperate measures. I found myself in the same situation a few months ago. I decided that I really coundn't go on like I was and needed proffesional help immediately. I called an ambulance and said that I was bipolar and was having a severe depressive episode and it had been going on for months. I told them that I was planning on taking a bottle of pills. To be honest with you I didn't really want to die I just wanted some help. The only way I was going to be admitted is if I said I was going to hurt myself or someone else.
When I was finally admitted I was told that I had done the right thing and that I made a brave decision. Finally I felt like I was getting the support I needed.
Another way you may be able to get more immediate care is to go into emerge yourself and say that you are suffering from depression and can't go on like this anymore. Tell them that you don't have a doctor yet and you just can't wait any longer. If you don't want to be admitted then don't say you are afraid of hurting yourself or anyone else. Ask if the hopital has out patient services. You will have access to counselling and psychiatric care.
Think very carefully about what it is that you need. You are very brave for "coming out" as it were and acknowledging your illness. Be assertive and get the help you need. Don't be ashamed about being honest. Your very right about the system dragging it's feet when it comes to mental illness. It is shameful but it's not your shame!
I wish you the best and never stop reaching out for help.
When I was finally admitted I was told that I had done the right thing and that I made a brave decision. Finally I felt like I was getting the support I needed.
Another way you may be able to get more immediate care is to go into emerge yourself and say that you are suffering from depression and can't go on like this anymore. Tell them that you don't have a doctor yet and you just can't wait any longer. If you don't want to be admitted then don't say you are afraid of hurting yourself or anyone else. Ask if the hopital has out patient services. You will have access to counselling and psychiatric care.
Think very carefully about what it is that you need. You are very brave for "coming out" as it were and acknowledging your illness. Be assertive and get the help you need. Don't be ashamed about being honest. Your very right about the system dragging it's feet when it comes to mental illness. It is shameful but it's not your shame!
I wish you the best and never stop reaching out for help.
dreams in neon
11-14-2008, 02:01 PM
Hi there,
I don't understand , but I'm wondering if it would be possible for you to receive counseling over the phone until you're able to see a professional in 6 months?
Granted, it's not the best way to seek help, but it's better than nothing and may enable you to keep your moods somewhat stable until the time you're able to see a doctor.
dreams in neon
Bipolar I - Rapid Cycling
I don't understand , but I'm wondering if it would be possible for you to receive counseling over the phone until you're able to see a professional in 6 months?
Granted, it's not the best way to seek help, but it's better than nothing and may enable you to keep your moods somewhat stable until the time you're able to see a doctor.
dreams in neon
Bipolar I - Rapid Cycling
UKguy
11-14-2008, 07:18 PM
thanks for the really helpfull replies. my parents said to me about going to a and e but to be honest im really scared about what would happen! i mean would they commit me to a secure unit? not allow me visitors? a phone?
seaturtle
11-14-2008, 09:32 PM
Hi,
It amazes me to hear that there is no one private who can treat this. Bp is such a common disorder...there must be specialists, or at least medicating pdocs, who deal with this regularly.
Is there a Bipolar Support group of any sort in the UK?
I can only think that a major hospital with a psych unit must have people who treat bp. Are you in a city or in the country?
I've known other people,
who have gone to another country for treatment.
I agree that you are fully justified in calling on emergency facilities, if that is what it takes to get them to pay attention to your needs. When you say you can't go on this way for the 6 month wait (which is absurdly long, impossible), you are saying you are indeed in need of immediate - i.e., emergency care.
Please keep us posted as to how you are and what you come up with for a plan. I am so sorry this is the situation in your country.
Seaturtle
It amazes me to hear that there is no one private who can treat this. Bp is such a common disorder...there must be specialists, or at least medicating pdocs, who deal with this regularly.
Is there a Bipolar Support group of any sort in the UK?
I can only think that a major hospital with a psych unit must have people who treat bp. Are you in a city or in the country?
I've known other people,
who have gone to another country for treatment.
I agree that you are fully justified in calling on emergency facilities, if that is what it takes to get them to pay attention to your needs. When you say you can't go on this way for the 6 month wait (which is absurdly long, impossible), you are saying you are indeed in need of immediate - i.e., emergency care.
Please keep us posted as to how you are and what you come up with for a plan. I am so sorry this is the situation in your country.
Seaturtle
UKguy
11-15-2008, 08:24 AM
you pay into it your whole life then when you need treatment you get put on a massive waiting list. thats no matter what illness you have.
ive got no idea about support groups or anything like that to be honest. my family doctor doesnt seem too fussed about me! dont think he understands what it is im complaining about!
BP and manic depression is getting alot of press over here at the moment.
lastnight i was up till about 2am thinking that nobody actually wants to help. i dont mean that asin a nobody cares about me way, because i know my family care more than anything. but they arent in a position to give meds or 'real' help.
ive got no idea about support groups or anything like that to be honest. my family doctor doesnt seem too fussed about me! dont think he understands what it is im complaining about!
BP and manic depression is getting alot of press over here at the moment.
lastnight i was up till about 2am thinking that nobody actually wants to help. i dont mean that asin a nobody cares about me way, because i know my family care more than anything. but they arent in a position to give meds or 'real' help.
ldsfriend
11-15-2008, 03:23 PM
Your fears about the unknown are valid. I was afraid too. I think you should do a little recon so that you can feel confident and knowledgeable about the process. Call your local hospital and say that you are advocating for a friend who is bipolar. Tell them that your friend is in need of emergency care and is afraid of coming to the hospital because they don't know what will happen. Be anonymous but ask all the questions you want and get the answers you need. I would sit down before you call and write down a list of questions and concerns and leave space for the answers you will jot down.
This will empower you and help you feel more secure in what will take place. Does your country have a mental health association that you can call. It would be beneficial if you could have an informed advocate come with you so that you don't have to go through the process of being admitted all by yourself. Think of being in hospital as a positive step. You are taking control of your medical care and getting the help that you know you need. If you had cancer or a broken bone there would be no question that you would need medical treatment. Your health care is just as critical.
Be proactive and don't give up. We are here for you.
This will empower you and help you feel more secure in what will take place. Does your country have a mental health association that you can call. It would be beneficial if you could have an informed advocate come with you so that you don't have to go through the process of being admitted all by yourself. Think of being in hospital as a positive step. You are taking control of your medical care and getting the help that you know you need. If you had cancer or a broken bone there would be no question that you would need medical treatment. Your health care is just as critical.
Be proactive and don't give up. We are here for you.
Lisacheckm8
11-16-2008, 11:43 PM
Hi UKGuy,
I understand your frustrations
I am somewhat surprised at the 6month time scale you have been given.....who told you it would be such a long wait? I live in northwest and from GP referral to 1st psych appt it was 4wks(although I had been known to the psych hosp but many years ago) Do you have a diagnosis yet or will this be your 1st attempt at getting help for symptoms that are making your life miserable? I think if your GP is not taking your symptoms seriously then the referral letter will not reflect the urgency of your case so yes the psychs will grade your case accordingly. The only way I can see for you to get the help you obviously want is to bite the bullet and present at A&E. I have no idea what your symptoms are so I cant say whether you risk being sectioned or not, I have done the A&E route once(on the advice of friend who was worried) and yes I was sectioned..........well I wasn't sectioned immediately but when I decided I had made the wrong decision and went to go home they then slapped the section on me.
So UKGuy this is a call only you can make, but please know that getting appts doesn't = help. I hate my psychiatrist, i think she is a useless piece of crap but I think if you feel you need help but the NHS is not offering you a service of which you are entitled then you yell and stamp your feet until you get what you want, if you dont want to do the A&E route the most effective next step would be to have a relative go with you to a GP's appt and give their say about you, your behaviours, thoughts, fears etc. Plz keep us updated on your progress and I really do hope you get the appt at the psych dept.
Hold on in there
Lisa
I understand your frustrations
I am somewhat surprised at the 6month time scale you have been given.....who told you it would be such a long wait? I live in northwest and from GP referral to 1st psych appt it was 4wks(although I had been known to the psych hosp but many years ago) Do you have a diagnosis yet or will this be your 1st attempt at getting help for symptoms that are making your life miserable? I think if your GP is not taking your symptoms seriously then the referral letter will not reflect the urgency of your case so yes the psychs will grade your case accordingly. The only way I can see for you to get the help you obviously want is to bite the bullet and present at A&E. I have no idea what your symptoms are so I cant say whether you risk being sectioned or not, I have done the A&E route once(on the advice of friend who was worried) and yes I was sectioned..........well I wasn't sectioned immediately but when I decided I had made the wrong decision and went to go home they then slapped the section on me.
So UKGuy this is a call only you can make, but please know that getting appts doesn't = help. I hate my psychiatrist, i think she is a useless piece of crap but I think if you feel you need help but the NHS is not offering you a service of which you are entitled then you yell and stamp your feet until you get what you want, if you dont want to do the A&E route the most effective next step would be to have a relative go with you to a GP's appt and give their say about you, your behaviours, thoughts, fears etc. Plz keep us updated on your progress and I really do hope you get the appt at the psych dept.
Hold on in there
Lisa
ldsfriend
11-17-2008, 10:55 AM
May I enquire what A&E stands for? Is it a general hospital or a psychiatric hospital?
I agree with Lisa about getting a friend or family member to go with you to talk to your GP. The more people you have advocating for you the better. Sometimes others can be more objective about what symptoms are and how often they occur.
It's annoying but when I first spoke to my doctor he told me all I needed to do was listen to some nice music, go for a walk and eat properly. What a Quack! When I finally got to see a pdoc I made sure I brought someone with me. He wasn't even a close friend but he has bipolar himself and recognised my symptoms.
Also, there is a questionaire you can fill out on line that lists many red flag indications of bipolar disorder. It's not difficult to find. I did this questionaire and answered yes to all the questions. I then printed it and brought it to my doctor. I believe this helped me in getting my diagnoses.
Take care of yourself.
I agree with Lisa about getting a friend or family member to go with you to talk to your GP. The more people you have advocating for you the better. Sometimes others can be more objective about what symptoms are and how often they occur.
It's annoying but when I first spoke to my doctor he told me all I needed to do was listen to some nice music, go for a walk and eat properly. What a Quack! When I finally got to see a pdoc I made sure I brought someone with me. He wasn't even a close friend but he has bipolar himself and recognised my symptoms.
Also, there is a questionaire you can fill out on line that lists many red flag indications of bipolar disorder. It's not difficult to find. I did this questionaire and answered yes to all the questions. I then printed it and brought it to my doctor. I believe this helped me in getting my diagnoses.
Take care of yourself.
UKguy
11-17-2008, 03:42 PM
what happens if you get sectioned?
Lisacheckm8
11-17-2008, 07:21 PM
Hi ukguy,
I have been sectioned 3 times and was done so only because I was seen to be a danger to myself or others. Basically there are 2 ways to get admitted to a psych ward voluntarily or involuntarily.......although as I highlighted in my other reply to you the last time I went voluntarily and within hours when I tried to leave they made my stay involuntary (sectioned) If you are sectioned basically it means you will be on a closed ward which you cannot leave, its not terrible in environment but to have your free will taken away is strange to comprehend and makes people quite resourceful and aggressive in a bid to escape.
I don't know if they have a telephone on the wards as I had my mobile the whole time and unless your frame of mind is fragile you are allowed visitors (its a bummer with the no smoking laws now too. It is an unpleasant experience but please know they dont section people for the fun of it so dont fret. If being sectioned worries you then go with a family member to your GP and get the urgency of your case upgraded:) Hope this helps
Lisacheckm8
I have been sectioned 3 times and was done so only because I was seen to be a danger to myself or others. Basically there are 2 ways to get admitted to a psych ward voluntarily or involuntarily.......although as I highlighted in my other reply to you the last time I went voluntarily and within hours when I tried to leave they made my stay involuntary (sectioned) If you are sectioned basically it means you will be on a closed ward which you cannot leave, its not terrible in environment but to have your free will taken away is strange to comprehend and makes people quite resourceful and aggressive in a bid to escape.
I don't know if they have a telephone on the wards as I had my mobile the whole time and unless your frame of mind is fragile you are allowed visitors (its a bummer with the no smoking laws now too. It is an unpleasant experience but please know they dont section people for the fun of it so dont fret. If being sectioned worries you then go with a family member to your GP and get the urgency of your case upgraded:) Hope this helps
Lisacheckm8
tigger5150
11-17-2008, 07:29 PM
Ids - A&E stands for accident and emergency.... which means you should get to see a psych and they might or might not admit you at the time.
katlin09
11-18-2008, 12:37 AM
Y'all are a bit luckier, here in the U.S. when we get put in on a 72 hr. hold (what you call sectioned) we don't even get to keep our cell phones in the ward! They figure we could somehow use it to hurt yourself.
The worse part for me was, the last time...about 4 months ago when I went in through the ER for a suicide attempt, I had to stay on the regular hospital medical floor for heart evaluation, due to the kinds of pills I took, and I had to have a "sitter" the whole time until I went to the psych ward. 24 hours a day,the sitter was with me, even when I went to the bathroom....she never left me on my own...that was totally humilliatng.
The worse part for me was, the last time...about 4 months ago when I went in through the ER for a suicide attempt, I had to stay on the regular hospital medical floor for heart evaluation, due to the kinds of pills I took, and I had to have a "sitter" the whole time until I went to the psych ward. 24 hours a day,the sitter was with me, even when I went to the bathroom....she never left me on my own...that was totally humilliatng.
UKguy
11-18-2008, 05:17 AM
thanks so much for all the replies guys. its nice to know some people are actually willing to help:)
i dont think i need to be sectioned as i dont think im a danger to myself or others. i suppose its finding the balance that will get the help, but wont get me stuck in hospital. i think being 'imprisioned' would only make things worse.
ive been pretty low recently and this webite really has helped
i dont think i need to be sectioned as i dont think im a danger to myself or others. i suppose its finding the balance that will get the help, but wont get me stuck in hospital. i think being 'imprisioned' would only make things worse.
ive been pretty low recently and this webite really has helped