Need a good psychiatrist …… UK - Mental Health Message Board

Jays Dad · 01-26-2007, 03:56 PM

Hi! All,

I am looking for a good reputable psychiatrist in Liverpool UK for my daughter who is suffering from Bipolar. Her GPs answer to her problems is pull your self together and I will try and get you an appointment with a National Health psychiatrist as soon as possible. He says it will be months rather than weeks, so she has to wait while her life falls to pieces around her. I know the stress local doctors are under but knowing that will not help my daughter.

Can anyone help or advice me as how I find a private consultant who will diagnose my daughter so as she can get proper treatment. I have searched the internet for a directory that list the private practices but have had no luck.

Many thanks in advance.

Jennita · 01-29-2007, 12:41 PM

If it takes awhile to find someone, in the meantime have her try fish oil and also lecithin; I have heard some people use these to help symptoms along with proper exercise and eating/sleeping habits. Also, make sure no alcohol or other recreation drugs are a factor, or even some prescription drugs can cause bi-polar reactions so examine every possible aggravating factor.

plainjayne · 02-09-2007, 09:05 AM

i live in lancaster, england. i have suffered with bi polar for over 10 years. i am 25 now. i was diagnosed 2 years ago after seeing many doctors and consultants this 1 psychiatrist took 5 minutes reading through my notes and speaking to me and diagnosed me with rapid cycling bi polar im sure he works privately as most doctors do nowadays. if you are looking for help with medication and diagnosis i cant praise him enough. i waited over a year to see him as i wasnt in a situation to manage to go private. as for counselling, i think in the mean time you should get her a decent counsellor. she will eventually get a mental health nurse but only after her doctor takes things seriously. your daughter needs to sit and just talk about her feelings. i can let you know his name and details if you think he may be able to help, maybe also you could consider changing doctors?? i hope this helps, if you need to ask any questions that, as a sufferer i may be able to help with, ask away. jayne.

NutshellNutter · 02-11-2007, 12:33 PM

Hi Jay's Dad,
My heart goes out to you. I live in Herts and went through the same problem initally. In the beginning I went NHS route for major depression - I felt like an item on the conveyor belt - nothing more. The help I received was completely inept - told to go onto an anti-dep and that was it.

I was lucky enough to have private health insurance a couple of years later and was admitted to the Priory under the care of an extremely caring and professional consultant psychiatrist. My diagnosis was changed to Bipolar and I am now (after 3 years) in a much better place mentally than I would have been after 50 years care on the NHS!. I would recommend my psych through and through - but it's quite a way from Liverpool! He also works in Harley Street, London - if you are able to commute for appointments that is.

Do you have health insurance? If so, give them a call and they will direct you to a psychiatrist - they may even set up the first appointment for you.
If not, ask your GP for the contact details for NHS psychiatrists - then contact the hospital they work at, ask their secretary if they do private work. This will get you seen with a couple of weeks maximum, but you will still not know if they are worth their weight in gold or not.
Your other option is to contact the private hospitals near you and just asking for an appointment - it's as easy as that. I know that there are the Priory hospitals, and also Nightingale Hospitals (Capio mental health) as private mental health hospitals in the UK. However, some of the consultant psychiatrists from these also practice in out-patient dept's of Capio Hospitals (also private).

So, your options are generally:
1. Contact Priory, Nightingale and Capio hospitals and ask about consultant psychiatrists appointment. They will be very helpful in finding one nearest to you. You will be seen within 2 weeks max I would say.

2. Contact the secretary of NHS psychiatrists and ask if they do private work.

Paying for a private consultant psychiatrist is very expensive. My insurance was max'ed a long time ago and I have been paying £120 per 30mins ever since. But, my view is that my head is more important than money, and after my mental health NHS experience I would never go that route again.

Good luck to you and your daughter - she will get better and be able to live a stable life, just as I have.

Please post again and let me know how it goes,

Nut.
ps - post on the bipolar board anytime you want info or support - there is a load of us on there.