Anticipating Therapy

[cherrysweets89]

I referred myself to the NHS mental health services on Friday, they're calling me back tomorrow to arrange an appointment, I'm absolutely terrified. I've never had therapy before, I'm worried they'll ask me details of why I have CPTSD, I've told 2 people in my entire life everything, and it has never helped in the slightest, if anything it's made me worse. I'm also worried my other conditions will affect how effective it is or make me worse, I have aspergers and Body Dysmorphia. I don't know who I'll be speaking to, I dread it being a woman, my trust will be rattled from the start if it is; woud they listen if I requested it not be a female?

 

[joeylittle]

I just wanted to write and say that's really awesome you have referred yourself. I think the hardest steps to take are the first ones. I can't speak to the NHS stuff particularly, but I'm hopeful some other members can.

 

[Dana1010]

They may ask questions but it's always up to you how you answer. If you say, "I don't want to get into that" they won't fight you on it. You can talk about a host of things besides details of the trauma - how you're feeling, beliefs that you have, what triggers you, what your symptoms are, etc. Remember that therapists aim to help, not to eviscerate embarrassing details from you against your will. May I ask why you're so averse to seeing a woman?

 

[artemisberry]

Hi yeah, I referred myself for NHS mental health too, the assessor came to my home to see me and was absolutely lovely, you can defo request to see a man i'm sure they would do their best to accommodate, my first appoint was at local docs with them and i forgot and was re reffered and then they came to my home you may be able to request a home visit as well if that feels a bit less scary. Im now having trauma focused CBT from that, good luck with it and I hope you get the support you need from it

 

[Friday]

I don't have time, right at this moment, to say everything that I wish to in the way that I'd like to (must sleep, then work, already taken sleep meds so I'm already getting verbose instead of concise)... So I'll come back and lay it out as succinctly and clearly as possible as soon as possible.

However, the summation is that; I've found that having ADHD in general, although not in all aspects, appears to make treating my PTSD a great deal easier... Even synergistic, when done well. That's the key point, right there. And where I don't have time to get into tonight.

Where our symptomology overlaps, and there's a great deal of overlap between Aspies & ADHD'ers, I believe you will find similar results. ((sensory processing, emotional monitoring & regulation, limiting and managing the scope of meltdowns, hyperfocus / intense interest in chosen subjects, are just a few areas of overlap.)),

 

[Friday]

Whoops... One thing, though:

Remember that "no" in its various forms (I'd prefer not to talk about that right now, I'm uncomfortable talking about that at this time, etc.) are always acceptable answers. You are not under any obligation to answer someone else's questions. Even though you have asked for help, part of that help will be easing you to a point where you are comfortable -or at least not terrified, and uncomfortable but acceptably so- answering questions. You are in control over this interview and assessment. If a question scares you, tell them so. If a question makes you uncomfortable, tell them so. You don't have to answer any questions you don't want to, although it's helpful to tell them why you would like to not answer it, you're not even under that much obligation. You choose what, how, and how much to answer.

 

[Suzetig]

You should be able to ask for a male therapist, it may mean you need to wait a bit longer for treatment because there are fewer male therapists but they should accommodate you. As far as what you share, that's entirely up to you both in content and timing. A good therapist will explain how they work and be clear that you're in control of what you talk about. Just be aware that you may need to try a couple/few before you find someone that suits you so don't be afraid to say if you're not comfortable.

 

[digger]

As you're saying you've referred yourself, I'm guessing this is through IAPT (improving access to psychological therapies)? Services vary considerably around the country with this scheme, both in quality and quantity, but it is likely you will initially be offered an assessment and that that won't necessarily be with same person you go on to receive therapy from. I would say that if you can, be as honest as possible in this assessment so you can get referred for the right therapy from it. You don't have to go into details, but give them a rough idea of what has caused, or is causing ALL your issues now. Write it down, even just in bullet points if you don't want to actually talk about it. Presumably as you're saying you have CPTSD, Aspergers and Body Dysmorphia, you have been diagnosed with these things by someone at some point? Telling them that you have these diagnoses and saying your CPTSD is from x,y or z type trauma should be enough. They will be concerned with how this affects you more than the details of your actual trauma I think and with what you want from therapy. Apologies if it's not through IAPT but something different.

You can ask for a male therapist, but it may affect your waiting time for therapy. Having said that, both my assessments were with men (which was a problem for me!)

Hope you get what you need from them.

 

[cherrysweets89]

May I ask why you're so averse to seeing a woman?

My first 'incident' was comitted by a woman, further, continued abuse and loose morals not restricted to women trying to get my boyfriend's attention I have very little trust in females right now, I know not all are a threat, but I'd rather not have that doubt with a therapist.

 

[cherrysweets89]

As you're saying you've referred yourself, I'm guessing this is through IAPT

Yes, they haven't called back though, they wanted to go through my GP - if it comes down to my GP to do or decide anything, I'll die of old age first.

 

[digger]

- if it comes down to my GP to do or decide anything, I'll die of old age first.

Not sure if that means you don't want to go through your GP, if or if you just mean your GP isn't good at getting things done?

If it's the second, I managed to find the GP referral form online (you can only get referred through your GP where I live), downloaded it, printed it off, filled it out for him so that all he had to do was sign it and forward it to them.

 

[Hashi]

if it comes down to my GP to do or decide anything, I'll die of old age first.

Got to say that this is a possibility throughout the NHS unless you advocate for yourself and keep pushing. I like @digger's approach. If the NHS would sort it all out in a timely way without you chasing and asking, I think you'd be very lucky.

It's definitely worth seeing what's available to you on the NHS, if you have services in your area. I would just say that I'd keep ringing and asking about progress, if you feel able to.