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Private vs CAMHS Diagnosis

Mumof2ASDGirls
I need your collective wisdom please. I'm sure what I am about to say will come with no surprises, but it has really knocked me into submission a bit (not like me at all) and I have spent the last hour crying (again not like me).
Daughter has so far been going through the system for over a year, being passed here and there. We eventually got referred back to CAMHS and 4 months after have had the initial assessment with a Mental Health nurse, who confirmed to us our daughter scores high for autism and needs an assessment. Knew the assessment would take a while, but at least we were one step closer. Today I receive a letter saying she has been discharged. No reason given, no ongoing support or anything. I am so angry and sad right now and will be appealing it as we have paperwork saying in black and white she needs an assessment.
My question to you all is this - we did raise the possibility of a private assessment, but were told to be cautious as if she needs medication down the line the NHS won't accept a private diagnosis. Is this true? Do any of you have experience with this?
BTW I already have a daughter who has been through the system (CAMHS) and did get a diagnosis, but things are very different now!
I am just so exhausted from the constant fight just to get what she deserves.

  • Hello

    My middle child got a private diagnosis of OCD/depression/anxiety disorder (eventually we had to go down that route as GP and CAMHS were taking so long even though we have a stupidly strong family history and she was self-harming and talking of ending her life) last year and then CAMHS took her on after.  This took a lot of fighting, complaining, arguing on our part and to be honest the part of the private Psychiatrist who really fought for us!.  She needed the medication and the GP/CAMHS fought and fought it, or at least made it extremely difficult and stressful.  In the end CAMHS took her on and agreed to prescribe but it was so stressful.  I do feel for you.  Private assessments and treatment are so expensive.  we are lucky we could afford it although it meant making sacrifices.  I love the NHS but I felt with a strong family history we would have had it easier to get help.  Wishing you all the best.

  • Hello

    We got a private diagnosis for our 17 year-old daughter. Her GP had referred her for assessment but we were told the wait could be up to two years. She had developed mental health problems (anxiety disorder, OCD and depression) and struggled to attend school. She had been referred to EWMHS (CAMHS) three times and I felt that this extension of her misery, which would take her into adulthood, was completely unacceptable. The private diagnosis has been accepted by EWMHS, her GP/NHS (it is on her medical record) and her school/college (where she now has the support of the SENCO, a LSA and a mentor). She has eventually had an appointment with a NHS psychiatrist (a six month wait through EWMHS ) and has been prescribed medication, which has transformed her.ability to cope with life. She is still registered with EWMHS and is waiting (yet again) for 1-2-1 specialist counselling. No one has questioned the private diagnosis although I had also heard rumours that it would not be accepted. You need to find a reputable clinic. We used one that is listed here called DATS. They were excellent, very thorough and provided us with not only the diagnosis but a 19 page report with recommendations.

    I too am completely frustrated with EWMHS. You are right it is completely exhausting and disempowering. I have cried a lot and have had to turn to a therapist for support myself so that I can support my daughter. I know that they are under-funded and under-resourced but they still have a responsibility of care and they have let my daughter down. In her past referrals to them no one ever suggested that she might have autism although she met a number of professionals who should be able to at least raise autism as a possible consideration. She asked to see a psychiatrist to discuss her desire for medication a few years earlier when she was feeling desperate for support. This was declined and she was signed off! Yes I am still frustrated and still very angry. I could rant on for hours about it.

    I send you my support.