For all of my uk peeps

[Alittlebitdown]

Hi,
This is for all my UK people but really for generalized advice. I've been told by my local SMHT (specialist mental health team) (which I might add is the end of the line for care in my county), that I am 'resistant' to treatment as I can't relax enough for them to help me. I don't necessarily disagree with this, it's true that my hypervigilance is enormous and I can't handle being 'present' in normal environments.
However they have dismissed me because they can't help me. Which means that I'm no longer part of any health team and have no psychiatrist. The GP won't touch my meds because I've been seen by a psychiatrist.
So here comes my question: do any of you have any experience in private psychiatry/hospitalisation in the UK?
Is it worth trying?
Or would I be wasting my time and money?
I already have a private counsellor but it's slow going and she can't prescribe meds or anything like that.
Thank you for any help
J

 

[Missycat]

Hi @Alittlebitdown , im so sorry that you are going through this and almost been ‘left out to dry’. I get angry and shocked by the poor mental health support we have in the uk although i recognise that sadly the system is straining and fighting not to fall apart.
Due to lengthy waiting times i sought therapy privately and was fortunate that some of the costs were covered by my employer. I was able to choose who i wanted to see after reviewing their cv’s ( so to speak) and ended up workimg with amazing consultant psychologist .
A family member also recently had treatment in a private psychiatric hospital and their treatment was of a high standard.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
I wish you all the best.

 

[Abstract]

Sorry you experienced this. I sadly don't think its unusual. In my experience, personally and anecdotally, what is usually offered tends to be time limited and usually not suitable for more complex issues such as PTSD. Ill equipped therapist therapy has been been way worse than no therapy for me in the past. Not fully qualified at all is another whole ballgame. I'm not exactly sure what you have or have not been offered and where you are at needs wise.

I suspect that is way different if you can afford private psychiatry and therapy or in patient treatment. Its still a process of finding someone who is good, has a good personality match with yours, used an approach that suits you etc but finding someone who specialises in what one is dealing with is a good start. If its too much for you to do exposure therapy then doing specialised mindfulness or DBT courses may be a good start point pre trying the deeper stuff again.

Try to think of:
what works for you and what doesnt
what you need right now as a first step
what you need to look for in a professional

If its fundamentally a problem of getting a psychiatrist then relaxing shouldn't be as much of an issue as sessions are for meds not therapy. I know its all extremely difficult of course. Good luck.