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psychiatrist referrals

NAS68808
5 months ago

I'm awaiting an initial appointment but don't know what to expect. I've heard these referrals often get closed if you get deemed beyond help because of autism and or long term depression (I have both). 

I've had enough letters from the MH system recently saying that they can't help (inc that the GP's request for a psychiatrist referral was turned down twice) which really isn't helpful when you're feeling suicidal. 

Are the visits to a psychiatrist always summarised to you in writing afterwards? Can you decline for this to happen if you are concerned that it is only going to be triggering? I admit that I am probably beyond help due to a lifetime of negativity (and I am unable to react any differently to any suggestions made to me which I guess can seem confrontational) but I really don't need this confirmed in writing to me.

Parents
  • 5 months ago

    I think it's standard to receive a copy of the letter they send to your GP (and generally preferable because it lets you know what their plans are going forward) but I'm sure you could specifically ask not to be sent it. When I don't feel okay enough to read those things, I just leave it. I get that it's sometimes not as easy as "then don't read it", but you can try.

    If you react negatively and in a way that seems confrontational to their suggestions, I wonder if that is potentially responsible for the declined referrals? If they aren't getting the impression that you really want their help and to get better, you're right that there's not that much they can do (aside from involuntary treatment if you cross a line and are seen as an immediate danger to yourself or others). 

Reply
  • 5 months ago

    I think it's standard to receive a copy of the letter they send to your GP (and generally preferable because it lets you know what their plans are going forward) but I'm sure you could specifically ask not to be sent it. When I don't feel okay enough to read those things, I just leave it. I get that it's sometimes not as easy as "then don't read it", but you can try.

    If you react negatively and in a way that seems confrontational to their suggestions, I wonder if that is potentially responsible for the declined referrals? If they aren't getting the impression that you really want their help and to get better, you're right that there's not that much they can do (aside from involuntary treatment if you cross a line and are seen as an immediate danger to yourself or others). 

Children
  • 5 months ago in reply to T

    I get what you say about wanting help -I'm an only child so whilst I have elderly parents to think about, I am concerned about acting on the thoughts I have been having, so I do genuinely want help to that extent, I just don't have in it me to believe anything is going to help. It just makes you feel even more despairing that MH people, who I thought are meant to be experienced in these things, either just don't grasp that or perhaps given the stretched resources, it is easier to give up on the likes of me. Needless to say, the more distressed I get through talking to the MH services, the worse the negativity kicks in, plus I am genuinely slow to understand things anyway which just adds to the cycle of despair and distress.