nobody wants to help! - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

UKguy · 11-14-2008, 07:37 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.

ldsfriend · 11-14-2008, 10:33 AM

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.

dreams in neon · 11-14-2008, 11:01 AM

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

UKguy · 11-14-2008, 04:18 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, 06:32 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