MidnightDream
Warlock
- Sep 5, 2022
- 732
I know, a shocker.
I decided back in November after moving cities that I wanted to go on meds. Although I still haven't found one that works great for me, it was the best thing in terms of attempting recovery that I've ever done. By going on meds, I was assigned a doctor that would contacted me regularly (biweekly/monthly depending) to check in. This doctor has gone above and beyond since the day I first spoke to her, and has been an absolute STAR in attempting to (finally) coordinate me a long-term care plan.
Initially, the plan was to try all your standard services - Wellbeing, emotional regulation, etc, the type that anyone can access, just to tick those boxes. However, after various stints in with paramedics, crisis teams and the police over the last few months, she made the decision to submit an emergency referral to the primary care team (community based) early, hoping that they'd take me regardless of the standard boxes not having been ticked. She (the doctor) actually even stated that she wasn't sure whether my case would actually be more suited to secondary care (hospital based), but wanted me to engage with the emergency referral regardless, as this would be required prior to a referral to secondary care.
Well, I had the primary care appointment today - and it actually went really bloody well. They were more than happy to take me on as they could see that I've been 'willingly' engaging with the tick box services and demonstrating a clear attempt at recovery (lol, ok). In the hour conversation, I made more progress with a practitioner than I ever have before. I felt listened to, validated, and understood, for the first time ever. He confirmed my previous diagnoses, and acknowledged my theory that I likely have something more going on - something in the realm of rapid cycling bipolar.
He asked me what I wanted and I said the following: A diagnostic review, and a referral to specialist psychotherapy services - and he actually accepted this!!!!! And formulated a plan for this!!!
The current plan is to work with him for a period, building up a record with their team which he will then be able to take to a psychiatrist to facilitate the diagnostic review to look into bipolar, and refer me onto those specialist therapies for DBT.
I don't know whether my doctor will still want to contact secondary services after this conversation, but I'm really happy with this outcome. I feel actually cared about, as if this team of people actually WANT to help me. He was so kind over the phone that I actually started crying - I've never been treated with such respect and compassion before.
I'm making this post just to say - Yes, mental health services are terrible and some practitioners should be fired yesterday, but there are some good ones out there that will actually listen and do actually want to help. If professional help is something you want to pursue and you're struggling, please keep going. It's taken me 8 years to get here, but it feels as though it could have been worth it.
I decided back in November after moving cities that I wanted to go on meds. Although I still haven't found one that works great for me, it was the best thing in terms of attempting recovery that I've ever done. By going on meds, I was assigned a doctor that would contacted me regularly (biweekly/monthly depending) to check in. This doctor has gone above and beyond since the day I first spoke to her, and has been an absolute STAR in attempting to (finally) coordinate me a long-term care plan.
Initially, the plan was to try all your standard services - Wellbeing, emotional regulation, etc, the type that anyone can access, just to tick those boxes. However, after various stints in with paramedics, crisis teams and the police over the last few months, she made the decision to submit an emergency referral to the primary care team (community based) early, hoping that they'd take me regardless of the standard boxes not having been ticked. She (the doctor) actually even stated that she wasn't sure whether my case would actually be more suited to secondary care (hospital based), but wanted me to engage with the emergency referral regardless, as this would be required prior to a referral to secondary care.
Well, I had the primary care appointment today - and it actually went really bloody well. They were more than happy to take me on as they could see that I've been 'willingly' engaging with the tick box services and demonstrating a clear attempt at recovery (lol, ok). In the hour conversation, I made more progress with a practitioner than I ever have before. I felt listened to, validated, and understood, for the first time ever. He confirmed my previous diagnoses, and acknowledged my theory that I likely have something more going on - something in the realm of rapid cycling bipolar.
He asked me what I wanted and I said the following: A diagnostic review, and a referral to specialist psychotherapy services - and he actually accepted this!!!!! And formulated a plan for this!!!
The current plan is to work with him for a period, building up a record with their team which he will then be able to take to a psychiatrist to facilitate the diagnostic review to look into bipolar, and refer me onto those specialist therapies for DBT.
I don't know whether my doctor will still want to contact secondary services after this conversation, but I'm really happy with this outcome. I feel actually cared about, as if this team of people actually WANT to help me. He was so kind over the phone that I actually started crying - I've never been treated with such respect and compassion before.
I'm making this post just to say - Yes, mental health services are terrible and some practitioners should be fired yesterday, but there are some good ones out there that will actually listen and do actually want to help. If professional help is something you want to pursue and you're struggling, please keep going. It's taken me 8 years to get here, but it feels as though it could have been worth it.
