Hello all,
This has been on my mind for quite a while now and I’m starting to wonder if I need to make the investment in seeking a psychiatric assessment. I’ve been having issues with anxiety/ depression since I was about 16 but only sought help when I was 19.
I’m now 23 and the last year has been bad after a relatively stable period (admittedly there has been a lot for me to deal with in the past 18 months- this isn’t out of the blue)
I’m increasingly struggling to cope and most days I feel incredibly down and suicidal. Previously I’ve found my depressed episodes have lasted for 6 months max but at this rate I’m getting on for a solid 2 years of complete depression.
My gp’s never suggest being referred on. Had a group CBT course now on waiting list for induvidual CBT. Been having private counselling for the past 8 months but it’s not working (most of it has been over the phone as I moved back to home town a while back). If anything I think talking about things that happened in the past have made me worse.
Citalopram worked in the past and currently I’m weaning myself off sertraline (under doctors instructions) as it has made me 10 x worse.
My private therapist and psychiatric nurse at my doctors say that I am not presenting any clear signs of bipolar (which is what is concerning me ) and its anxiety/depression.
I cant decide if i should put the money towards further counselling with someone else or invest it in the psychiatrist. My family are increasingly concerned about me as I’m just not coming out of this latest depression.
Thank you all
Hi rebecca11588,
We note from a recent post which you have made to our forum that you may be experiencing thoughts around self-harm. If we have misinterpreted your comments then we apologise for contacting you directly. But if you are having such thoughts then please note that you are not alone in this, and there are people out there that can help.
If you are having these suicidal thoughts then we strongly recommend you speak to someone who may be able to help. The Samaritans offer a safe space where you can talk openly about what you are going through. They can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen.
Their contact details are on our patient information leaflet here: Dealing with Suicidal Thoughts: Where to get help, which also offers lots of other advice on how you can access the help you may need.
If you are having such thoughts then please do reach out to the team at the Samaritans (or the other people detailed in our leaflet) who will understand what you’re going through and will be able to help.
If you are based outside of the UK.
The Samaritans is a UK based charity, but they also have suggestions for how you can access help in other countries.
Please have a look at this page https://www.befrienders.org/directory
Patient
Hi Rebecca, sorry to hear you are going through a tough time. Going to see a psychiatrist privately may well help you but it can get very expensive very quickly as they will probably want to see you for follow up appointments etc. I would directly ask your GP to be referred to a psychiatrist. If you don’t have any luck try asking another GP. I saw a psych on the NHS but had to be pushy to get referred.
go to your doctor, get the right diagnosis, insist you get support in the correct area and then decide ONCE you have spoken to other people (like family/friends). you’re young yet and you don’t know what it is. good luck and don’t be persuaded to do anything you don’t want to.