Struggling with mental health

In recent years I've really struggled with my mental health. I think it all stems from losing my sister after an accident, can't be sure of that but that's when I remember first feeling scared and like my comfort shield was breached.

In 2020 my mental health deteriorated again, the worst it had ever got. I became suicidal and then began to self harm. GP got involved, then mental health services and late that year I was detained under the mental health act. I was there for 30 days initially but it was extended to 6 months, I feared at the time I would be there forever but after 5 months I was allowed home again.

Luckily I've only been in hospital once and I'm hoping it will never happen again. The idea of going back to that hospital absolutely terrifies me! And yet despite that fear I still can't get better. Things are better I'm no longer suicidal but constant stress means my mental health is still bad and I don't seem able to recover completely. I still self harm, my mental health team and nurses keep a watch on me and at the moment they aren't overly worried.

The main problem is a lot of my problems is autism, but the professionals don't seem to register I even have autism at the best of times. I told a nurse about it once and then another nurse told her it was a phantom problem but it's an official diagnosis I've got! 

On a more positive note I've had a good day today with no self harm and I've felt relatively positive. It won't last but I'm enjoying it while it does.

Parents
  • Oh good God!

    Bless you. I hope you remain safe from the self harm.

    But seriously, "phantom problem"? What?

    It might help to write to your MH team with another copy of your diagnosis just stating that unless your diagnosis is not only taken seriously but held central to their approach to your care, you have little confidence in their ability to help you.

    I find the ignorance of professionals scary x

  • Thank you. I'm very safe now, even the self harm is in a better place.

    I know I reacted the same when I heard them say about my phantom problem lol. Thank you for the idea of writing to my team, that's a good approach to this situation and I really wish I'd thought of it before.

    I wrote to one of my GP's before to explain my autism as she didn't understand and that did at least help.

    It can be real scary of some professionals aren't so professional with us.

Reply
  • Thank you. I'm very safe now, even the self harm is in a better place.

    I know I reacted the same when I heard them say about my phantom problem lol. Thank you for the idea of writing to my team, that's a good approach to this situation and I really wish I'd thought of it before.

    I wrote to one of my GP's before to explain my autism as she didn't understand and that did at least help.

    It can be real scary of some professionals aren't so professional with us.

Children
No Data