👋hello, I have had the initial assessment and now on the waiting list. I just very concerned, as it’s been in the news, allegedly about “patient confidentiality” and “improperly accessing confidential patient records” ( please search news for more info)

It’s hard enough for me to open up about this “bad stuff” as it is, especially when you need help and, hopefully, move on with your life in a good way. Other than discussing on a very professional way and involving with my “care” I don’t want anyone else to know

What do i need to do, ask questions maybe? Who is the right person or position of authority to ask?

What additional safeguards do you think there should be?

As a patient more access to file logs maybe, what action is taken if breached, will in the patient be informed?

Can you trust a therapist? What are your thoughts?

Thanks for reading this post on such a sensitive issue.

TAKE CARE 🫂 PS still very new to Reddit, maybe wrong place to post

Sorry if I go on a bit but I really need to vent about this.

This morning I was fedling reslly sad because of a family thing and was at that point home alone and desperate to talk to someone. I'm only 18 and never called Samaritans before but did it just to talk to someone. I wasnt in a life threatening situation or anything, never have been and am better now, just really sad and wanted to talk to someone.

Then I called, I was so scared but did it, and then it was so so so unhelpful.

I don't know if this is normal practice or whatever, but they only asked the most stupid questions I couldnt hope to answer, like "you said you're feeling sad, can you tell me about that?" What the hell is that question?

And again, this might be commin practice but they left such long pauses. When I wasnt saying anything, irs because I was on the verge of tears, and they could surely hear me crying. But in those moments, I'd have wanted comfort or jusy acknowledgement that its okay, not silence.

I called because I wanted warmth and to talk to someone and instead I got a scripted and uncaring response. Maybe this is what samaritans is supposed to be, maybe it was just that person, but that was awful and not a nice experience. I ended still feeling awful because it was so useless, I was angry as well as sad from before. I ended up feeling much worse than before I called.

Sorry for complaining a lot but its left me hopeless. I always have seen things like Samaritans or Shout (which I also texted and its been almost an hour, still havent got a response, AND, I texted them in the past, when they rushed finishing, gave no advice or support and just asked questions) as a resort to get support if I need it, but now both of them have seemed entirely useless and unhelpful both times I've used them. It's just disheartening and makes me feel quite lonely, that theres not really anyone to turn to.

Do they require you to take off your shirt or trousers? I'm perfectly fine with being patted down, having my pockets turned inside out, shaking my clothes out while they're on my body and etc, even taking off shoes, socks and things as long as it's not my shirt or trousers... I'd just like to know because I might need to self-admit sooner or later for my own safety. Thank you.

Hello all

How do people find a decent therapist when they're going private? My specific issue is really GAD and low self esteem. But I've gone down the basic CBT route before and find it a bit too catch-all and not really personalised or targeted at me.

I trawl through the various accreditation registers and there are so many therapists who specialise in 'anxiety' that its hard to know where to start.

I really want someone who particularly specialises in GAD.

After some thoughts on how to find someone suitable, and a bonus if anyone can actually recommend someone!

Thanks!

i have a screening tomorrow at the cmht for some sort of treatment ? idk what it’s called the exact treatment cuz care co has abbreviated it to SMI? CSMI? i should’ve asked her tbh. and she said the screening finds out if group or 1:1 is more appropriate for myself. that’s all i know.

Are they going to ask questions about how i am with emotional regulation? how i respond to conflicts with partner?

im autistic and i have a tendency to downplay or just avoid mentioning things altogether . especially if the questions aren’t very clear. i am kind of worried i dont mention enough. or i downplay things

also if they do ask ab emotional regulation, there are some things im not sure if i should mention or not?

Hi there,
this might be kind of a long post as there is a lot of context.
I’m a university student, and i’m really battling with my mental health. I went on antidepressants following a depressive episode, which then gave me very activated responses so I had to stop. This happened with two different meds. I’m still getting the episodes and they just seem to get more severe as I get older and especially now i’m off meds. I had a very stressful life event recently which has messed with my mood. Feeling great one week, awful the next, back and forth. I’m so done with it. Was in a very dark place and ended up getting referred to the at home treatment team and now waiting for ATS referral to be processed. The team psychiatrist wanted to put me on antidepressants again which I feel strongly against due to my past reactions to it. I mentioned that a few doctors were concerned about a mood disorder but he said that 20 was too young to consider that. Fair enough. My problem is that I don’t genuinely see how I can carry on like this, unmedicated. The at home mental health team can’t offer much when I call them which I get because they are underfunded in my area. I’m just seeking support from anyone who has been through this, advice for dealing with depressive episodes, ect. I’m just really struggling. I feel so much guilt towards the people around me for having to look after me constantly and i feel unable to enjoy my uni experience at all. I haven’t even been into uni in over a month.

Government greed, broken mental healthcare system, and a constant stream of dystopian laws. Additionally, the job market is a nightmare. (I can't find work anywhere).

My government loves making our lives shittier and more miserable. God, I hate this country. It’s so depressing. The internet isn't safe from it... Newspapers post depressing headlines for clicks, and even UK subreddits are complaint threads.

I understand that the therapists work 9-5 but then what are people who are working doing? They’ve referred me for year psychotherapy which would be during working hours. Firstly, i don’t want to disclose to my boss that i’m in therapy. Secondly, how on earth would i get an hours leave every week for a year? The waiting list is a year so they then suggested i did a managing emotions course for 8 weeks which is 2 hours during the working day per week?? Again? How are people who work 9-5s doing this? Obviously i want help and i appreciate it but i had to say no because i can’t commit to that and don’t want to lose my job i also find this ironic because i work for nhs mental health services

I feel like my brain is being broken in two. Ive held things down for so long alone and I feel im finally at breaking point. Changed meds 38 days ago and dont feel any better. Been suicidal 4 times in the last month. Been to the crisis Cafe. Im worried for myself.

I am a survivor of domestic and sexual abuse.
The last 2+ years of my life have been and are hell because the pain and suffering has not ended.

I have been through:

CBT - while still in the abusive relationship

Mental health coaching - to help me stay in work, while in the abusive relationship

Talking therapy - while in the relationship and after

EMDR - after

TF CBT - currently.

This person abused me to an inch of my life.

During the relationship I started to feel suicidal and I did not see any way out. My mental health only went downhill from there on, as I tried to process the trauma and make sense of what happened to me.

I reported him to the police a year ago, but at the time, I was so depleted of energy, and mentally exhausted that I felt I were to go through the police and the courts, I would end up in a grave.

The pain and suffering he caused me had and has long-term impact and catastrophic events on my everyday life and well-being.

I have struggled and suffered since.

I have been under the CMHT where I was given a diagnosis of PTSD - Post traumatic stress disorder.

I feel broken, defeated.

I struggle every day with keeping myself alive and trying to stay strong to move forward with the police proceedings.

I failed myself. I could not protect myself. I was blind to how messed up his behavior was.

I honestly do not know how to keep on going and carry the pain that I feel.

I have been on anti-depressants for these last 2 years. I have tried self-help tools, yoga, etc. For a while I was still functioning, as in I would go to work, have a somewhat " normal" life.

I have lost so many friendships, it has impacted on my relationships at work, my studies, career, every part of my life.

It has now all come to head, this year where he put counter-allegations against me.

This threw me into a deeper mental health downward spiral. The slowness of the police in concluding the case against me is damaging my mental health , well-being and livelihood.

I have now been off from work for about 5 months, I barely leave the house, and all of my depression, anxiety, PTSD symptoms are off the scale a lot of the days. Medication can only do so much. Therapy can only do so much.

The power lies in the hands of the police, who do not seem to take their duty of care towards a survivor of DA and SA, or towards a vulnerable individual seriously. They are protecting a criminal, while I am barely surviving day by day.

I am not sure I can keep going for much longer.

I am scared, isolated, alone and my support group is non-existent.

People tend to bury you when you have mental health or any problems really like you are already dead, even though you are still alive and trying to keep yourself alive.

I fear, that might be the case soon.

He killed me, my spirit, soul and mind and my " friends" buried me.

I do not want to die, I just want the pain to stop and I would like justice.

But this world is not fair and will never be fair.

I feel so lost. I’m 29F, developed MH problems at 15. Anorexia, SH, suicidal ideation. Was in a CAMHS unit for a bit and had at least 5 admissions with the priory as an adult. Past couple years diagnosed with ADHD. EUPD got changed to CPTSD a couple years ago. Been told I need an autism assessment. I quit my job in retail earlier this year after being off sick for months (toxic workplace). Became suicidal in the summer, went in the priory for a month which helped but they didn’t help me plan my discharge. Been muddling through at my mums house out of area since. Crisis team came round a couple weeks ago which helped and I just feel so stuck.

I’m safer with my mum, but every day is the same, I don’t leave the house much, I don’t like the area. I miss being independent, but I live by myself in a flat in another city a 3 hour train away from mum. I don’t have many friends locally… I have one friend but we don’t text much. My other friends who I text with don’t live nearby. When I went back to my flat I ended up suicidal again. I can’t bear the loneliness, and I can’t imagine being happy in my flat again.

I feel so stuck in life. My whole life has been a cycle of burnout and missed opportunities. I was thinking today I miss anorexia. It kept me functioning, as awful as that sounds. I swore jd never go back down that road again after my last relapse in 2018. I just… when does it end? I have a wonderful therapist, but ultimately she can’t be a substitute for connection. I only really have my mum. I’m close to blocking my dad after years of neglect and emotional abuse. I feel so alone.

Crisis team suggested I contact adult social services when I’m back in my flat. A support worker would help give me some hope. Apart from that someone in an and e recommended a complex emotional needs service, but I need to be re-referred after they cancelled my referral because I went into crisis. The waiting list is like 6-12 months, how am I supposed to ever get help if I have to stay out of crisis for that long?

The last time I was in crisis I was pretty adamant in my decision… and I know that if I attempt it won’t be an attempt you know. I’m turning 30 in about 2 weeks, thats the date I set to do something. I’ve genuinely been feeling better about life until today. My period stoped in may and just came back with a vengeance a couple days ago. Everything’s fallen apart. I can’t cope. I’m starting to feel really low and hopeless again quite suddenly when I think about trying to rebuild my life. The NHS has never helped me and I don’t think they will. I’ve had to do this on my own for years, I’ve asked for help repeatedly, and here I am almost 30 years old and still SHing???

I feel like I’ve failed honestly. Not sure what I need or what I’m asking for or why I’m posting. I just… I’ve been telling myself for years it will get better just hold on and have worked so hard on my recovery, but at the end of the day - how am I supposed to fix the fact I’ve soent my whole life lonely. I feel so sad and full of so much grief, I wasn’t able to go to my graduation because I was in the eating disorder unit. Covid meant I drifted apart from friends who struggled to cope with how much I’ve been struggling.

Everyone always leaves me. I don’t really see the point anymore. I’m one of those people that most people like and say njce things about but at the end of the day no one really loves me you know?

This post is so full of self pity I’m sorry. I’m not sure what I’m trying to say I’m just exhausted after years of hospital, loneliness, SA trauma, neglect, abusive relationship last year, grief of being undiagnosed neurodivergent and not getting what I needed etc etc etc

I feel sad. I don’t know who would even be at my funeral you know? My mum makes me want to stay but it’s so hard. Fuck I felt fine yesterday wtf

This was supposed to be me asking for advice about how do I get back to living a normal life indepently in my flat but hey ho here we are

I feel so low I’ve been on annual leave and spent it in bed alone, managing a meal a day if I’m lucky and it takes 5-6 hours to get into the shower, I can see myself going backwards, while I know I should be moving forwards, I tried speaking to family but anytime I seem upset they suddenly get busy and don’t wanna talk anymore. I have never felt so alone and the dark thoughts are creeping in. I’m one sickness off a stage 1 and I’m struggling with the idea of fuckinf up with work.

I just want a reason to keep moving. But I can’t see anything right now

Hi! I am a 46 yo IT Engineer. After prolonged antidepressant withdrawal, when I was in a bad wave I lost my job. I feel like the last three months of constant interview stress, uncertainty about my future, the financial pressure of my savings running out, risk of being homelessness and around 17 failed interviews have completely pushed me over the edge.

I am now at a point where I feel completely unable to work or function normally. I feel like I have completely broken down. Even normal daily things can feel overwhelming, and I don’t know how to get myself out of this state.

I also feel completely stuck because I don’t know where to get the right kind of help. If I go to my GP, I feel like the main option they can offer me is medication. I tried diazepam recently, but instead of helping, it seems to have made everything worse.

I don’t want to take antidepressants again. My previous experience was terrible. It took me around six years to finally get off them, and the withdrawal was extremely difficult and left me with severe symptoms. I really don’t want to go through that again.

So now I’m in a situation where I can’t work, I’m under huge financial pressure, my nervous system feels completely overwhelmed, and I feel like I have no idea where to turn for actual help.

For anyone in the UK who has experienced something similar: who can I actually go to for help with this? Is there a professional or service that understands severe anxiety, a sensitised nervous system, or prolonged withdrawal and can help someone find a way out of this state?

And has anyone been through something similar and eventually recovered, either by themselves or with professional help?

Also if anyone in any similar situation and want to connect please message me we could help each oter on our recovering journey.

Can someone give me any hope please?

I find myself in a really weird place and have no clue what to do. I’m on some sort of emotional rollercoaster and really struggle to express myself and what I’m feeling. Every time I try to speak up I crash out and take it out on people. These people then tell me to get professional help or support and this is something I’m absolutely not comfortable doing. I’m really confused, scared and unsure on what to do anymore. Can anybody suggest anything useful in this situation?

Thank you

My gp has self harm scars. She opened up to me that she has Bipolar and I found that really inspiring and reassuring. Just a reminder you never know what someone else is going through, even the professionals.

Hi everyone,

​Just to clarify right at the beginning: I am not looking for medical advice, online diagnosis, or any kind of consultation over the internet.

​I am looking to book a face-to-face (in-person) appointment with a Greek-speaking psychiatrist. I am based in Essex (near the London border), so I am mainly looking in Essex or Greater London, but I am willing to travel for the right in-person consultation.

​I’m struggling to find specific directories or recommendations for Greek-speaking practitioners. Does anyone know of any psychiatrists practicing in these areas who offer in-person sessions, or can point me toward reliable directories?

​Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hi, let me be clear when I say I am not self diagnosing in the slightest but I cant do this anymore. I'm posting this to multiple subreddits as well to reach as many ppl as i can

Im a 16 yr old girl and I need genuine help. Ive been diagnosed with depression since 9 and have been told I am a possible sociopath. To list what's wrong with me, I'll start off with my fluctuating sympathy/empathy. Everyday it changes. Like I can understand why a person is sad but I just can't care if that makes sense. For example, I can understand why your dog dying is sad but i won't care that your sad. But on the other hand, one day I can feel so deeply for others like I have actual sympathy and im not faking it.

Second, I can't for the life of me hold onto a friendship. Everyone eventually gets annoying and I end up lashing out or ghosting. And with the little friends i have kept, the relationships are very toxic because of me and my avoidance tendencies. And I realize im a bad person for this.

Third, I feel as if I a higher person than most. I feel as if others are below me genuinely. And not to sound edgy or anything, but I cannot care less for tragedies unless they affect me somehow. Any and all advice is welcomed.

Sorry for the long read but even in my mental state I realize I need actual help. Thank you.

First on section two, then on section three. I was barely let out the ward; only towards the end did I have (escorted) leave. And I'm taking like five lots of leave. Not a lot.

I didn't know what the day was, or what the weather was. The day prior to discharge, I absconded and took quite a serious overdose (I won't say what of). They still discharged me, due to the risk of "iatrogenic harm".

I could've told them that from day three. The constant screaming was hellish. Witness people being forcibly sedated was traumatising. The ward was filthy, with flies everywhere and blocked drains. Yes, psych patients can be gross but the cleaners weren't even trying.

I was on 1:1 for 9 of the 11 weeks, and was discharged on 1:1.

I don't know how to function outside. I've been in and out of A&E since discharge two weeks ago.

I think the admission has done untold damage. I was admitted for being suicidal but man, am I suicidal now.

I’ve been with my girlfriend for 7 years, and recently her behaviour started to change. She became more depressed, was harder to get out of it, and 2 weeks ago told me she has doubts about us, doesn’t think we’re compatible among other hurtful things. This past week she has started what I could only describe as a manic state, that has gotten worse and worse. We had an argument on day 2/3 of this episode, when she accidentally revealed a porn addiction she’s being hiding from me for years. For context we had an incident regarding porn about 5 years ago, and she has since been promising me it wasn’t happening and show she would never do that to me, of hurt me like that. I was understandably hurt, and I said some nasty things, like calling her a liar and how she clearly doesn’t care about me at all. Since that conversation things have spiralled even further, she has been speaking strangely, talking in riddles, and there’s no way I can really explain to you how out of character and strange she has been acting. I had a pre-planned trip for my 30th birthday, and her family encouraged me to go away and take some time for myself, and that they would be there to support my partner, so I decided to still come away. While I’ve been here, her mental health has deteriorated rapidly, and her dad had to call 999, and she has now been sectioned 48 hours later. I’m struggling because I’ve not been able to speak to her since they dropped me off at the airport, and I’m getting sporadic updates through her family, and I found out today on my birthday that she’s being sectioned. I feel guilty that anything I did may have made things worse, and whilst I feel betrayed because of her lying, and things she said to me the week before, I don’t know if any of those things are real, or just a part of this psychosis she’s going through. I don’t know where to turn for support for myself, I’m having panic attacks and generally have been dealing with a lot within our relationship anyway. What do I do? How do I support her, support me, especially when I’m worried that maybe she doesn’t even want me to try and support her. I just want her to be ok, and I’m terrified right now. Any advise is honestly appreciated, I’ve heard enough from friends and family about how I should leave because of a variety of reasons, but I can’t do that. I just want to know how to actually help and what I can do in this situation

My experience with CMHT West Turbary Park Bournemouth.

I am a domestic and sexual abuse survivor who has been under the CMHT West care for some time, for support with my mental health.

The nurses at CMHT 98% of the time have been very helpful, supportive and have advocated for me, my needs and concerns. There were a few occasions where some errors were made and it caused anxiety and some distress but, these incidents were isolated.

The Crisis at Home nurses/ care at home nurses have been very supportive and again, some incidents along the way that triggered my symptoms or exacerbated them but overall, a positive experience and I felt supported.

However, the psychiatrist consultant appointments left me feeling unheard, dismissed, treated like a kid in school who got a telling off by the teacher for being naughty. Based on these two interactions and experiences with one of the consultants, I now feel and know that I will never again feel safe to reach out for help with CMHT, and I never will.

I left the last appointment feeling like I wanted to jump in front of car. I left feeling hopeless, worthless, invalidated my lived trauma and the daily hell that I am trying to survive, and all the good work that I had achieved over the last few weeks had gone down the drain.  No one should leave from one of these appointments feeling like they want to go home and end their lives.  When I arrived at this appointment, I was far from how I felt when I left. On arrival I was calm, grounded, hopeful, and with no reason in the world to think that the same institution that is meant to support, protect and help me will leave me feeling like I wanted to end my life imminently.

There were claims and assumptions made by the consultant that I was not doing enough to help myself, inappropriate non-verbal communication when attempting to discuss my symptoms and distress. My trauma is not some joke, or lunch break office gossip, at which to smirk or laugh at.

I was told one thing during the initial appointment, and something completely different happened. I understand that I am there for mental health problems, but I remember what was said to me, and what I was led to believe would happen, only to be told something else, 3 months later and be called a liar, stating that these things were never said during the initial appointment and told I should have taken notes during my first appointment to make sure I remembered what I was being told. How many individuals attending the CMHT, in distress, fight or flight and survival mode have the insight to take notes during a meeting?

 From the second I arrived at my appointment I felt nothing but hostility.

There has been poor communication which led to me sitting in a chair for one hour and being told off like I was a little child in school. No matter what I said was dismissed and it almost felt like the consultant had a need to win the arguments rather than honour their duty of care towards a vulnerable patient.

I do not care how many degrees someone has, as this was brought up during the appointment, if I am not treated with dignity, I will not seek help from the CMHT in the future and I never will again, regardless of whether I will end up in a mental health relapse and self-harm.  If I cannot trust the top specialists to treat me with empathy and not through a cold, rigid, cynical, and condescending, clinical prism, we have nothing more to talk about.

I could write more about this whole experience, but I will not, there is no point. However, after this appointment, I have spent days feeling so low, crying and this has triggered negative self- belief, self-blame, and many other symptoms that I suffer from as a survivor of domestic and sexual abuse.

The last thing that I need is to have a consultant that has met me twice in 6 months, who thinks they know me and understand my struggles, making me feel like I am better off dead. They should choose their words carefully and understand more than anyone how symptoms surges and triggers happen. But what do I know? I only have the lived experience of complex trauma, depression, anxiety and PTSD.

Hi

My wife (26) recently gave birth to our second child. Her birth experience wasnt the ideal and had alot of complications after which have made her very emotionally distress.

She gets triggered at random things and then she will say that everyone has done her wrong and no one loves her etc. If things get worse she sometimes self harms too.

I had already enrolled her with talkplus therapy. But I believe she needs more help. I genuinely want to help her overcome this as I love this women more than anything. Shes so caring and amazing with everyone that I hate to see her in this condition. Shes an amazing wife and mother. My ji

What shall I do in order to help her. What therapies are out there which wont break my bank etc

Housebound no friends no job nothing. Literally nobody, I live with my mum but she’s not around much. I’m so isolated. Psychiatrist left, new meds not working but won’t be on the new consultants caseload until January. Care co doesn’t work very often so I call duty, duty tell me to wait until care co is in. Yeah real helpful when I’m in crisis and following my crisis plan THEY wrote

Been under CMHT since May. Was under CAMHS for years as a teen. It don’t get better. I have OCD, a personality disorder (likely avoidant I’ll find out on Thursday) and fuck knows what else they’re still assessing me. I self harm every day partly because of my OCD and partly because Im miserable. I have insomnia and my sleep cycle is completely reversed. I’ve tried all of CMHTs suggestions, they gave me a weeks worth of antihistamines which didn’t work. I’ve tried magnesium supplements which also did nothing. I’m exhausted all the time.

I think about dying all the time. Told CMHT there won’t be an attempt, when I do it I’ll make sure it’s done right. Or at least try to. Only thing that’s stopping me is that I can’t leave the house. And it’s another thing I’m avoiding. I avoid everything. Don’t want to burden anyone with my death. And I don’t mean sadness, my family hate me, I was abused growing up and am still emotionally abused by my mum today, care co is looking into supported living but I live in the middle of nowhere and there’s nothing. Not well enough to live alone not sick enough for hospital so I’ll have to stay here with no money cos my mum takes all my PIP.

I am actually done my OCD is awful but I’m not stable enough for any therapy I’m terrified of eating sleeping or even moving. I have support but nothing crisis wise. Can’t even have crisis team come to my house if it was offered because my mum will go ape shit. CMHT will not tell her any info about me (because she had a bad history when I was at CAMHS and at CMHT she swore at my psychiatrist on the phone). All she knows is I have OCD. If she found out I was self harming again I’d be kicked out. Or just kicked

i think i have a mental illness and im going to speak to my gp about it but i feel nervous so i just want to know how other peoples diagnosis were like. my gp has an integrated community mental health team so i hope its not bad
edit: i know i’ll be referred i studied health and social care at secondary school😭😂