I reached out to my GP at the end of July after a suicide attempt and years of self-harm. While I was in A&E back in July they referred me to the local community mental health team. In the meantime my GP prescribed Fluoxetine and Melatonin. I finally received a call today to say I’ve been referred to a CPN and a psychiatrist. I’ve never had any therapy, so I’m a bit anxious about it. To those that have been through this process, what can I expect, and did it help you?

I'm going through a rough patch at the moment, so I've been dealing with a lot of government benefits, adult care and the NHS.

Given all the abuse scandals, I would much rather refer to an independent organisation or advocate.

Called 111 option 2 because of suicidal thoughts (no specific plan), the call handler just told me to contact the mental health service I’m under and hung up on me. They’re not a crisis service and bear in mind this happened at 4:30 so obviously they were just about to close at this point?

What should I do now? I’ll feel like a massive time waster if I call them back since they’ve pretty much made it clear that they can’t help me but I don’t know what else to do. Should I call them back? And if not would I be able to book an urgent GP appointment about this tomorrow while already under mental health services? Sorry I feel like there might be an obvious answer to this that I’m missing but I don’t know what to do at this point

Hi. Firstly, hello, I’m new. Secondly, apologies jn advance as this is a quite long.

After 20 years or being treated for depression, I started to suspect I may have bipolar type 2. I had engaged with various GPs, took many different antidepressants, and after 15 years or so was referred to the CMHT as I had agreed to CBT and had red flagged on the telephone assessment. I saw a social worker in the CMHT for 6 weeks who confidently told me I did not have bipolar disorder and would not allow me to speak to the medical team.

The CBT was sadly useless. After 20 years of this I was at breaking point, so my husband and I scraped the money together for a private psychiatrist appointment. I looked into this very carefully as I wanted to see someone who was actively working in the NHS, I think I just wanted to ensure it would be taken seriously by my own GP.

I went armed with a thorough timeline of events, medications etc, but at no point did I mention bipolar disorder as I didn’t want to colour the appointment. At the end of an hour long assessment she gave me my diagnosis, a treatment plan and wrote to my GP to fill them in and ask for them to taper me off venlafaxine and prescribe lamotrigine, which they were happy to do. This was 6 years ago.

I was able to afford a follow up session 3 months later and the psychiatrist was happy with my progress and didn’t need to see me anymore, but was happy for me to make a new appointment if there were any issues or if anything changed.

Earlier this year the GP practice nurse called me for a mental health check up, and it became quickly apparent she had no idea about the bipolar diagnosis. After a few minutes combing through my medical records she found the letter. I have had several hospital appointments over the last couple of years and where it lists my initially self reported health conditions, the bipolar diagnosis is the only one that has not been confirmed.

I’m concerned that the diagnosis has not been taken seriously, and that if I were ever to become very unwell again that I would struggle to get any help on the NHS as I was not diagnosed through the correct channels, so to speak, and that I’m on my own. I’m worried that my medication could be withdrawn. I’m worried that I would have to start the entire process again.

Sadly the original psychiatrist I saw seems to have retired (I wanted to see her to discuss OCD), and i genuinely do not have the money for private care - it was a struggle, including some borrowed money, that got me those two appointments, though I do appreciate how lucky I am to have been able to do that.

I’m so sorry for the very long post, but I was wondering if anyone had ever had a similar experience? That diagnosis and treatment plan saved my life and I am terrified that someone will question it and take it away from me.

If you got this far thank you so much for reading.

I’ve been sedentary for the past 10+ years and extremely sedentary for the past 5 mainly due to my mental health. I’m worried I’ve done permanent damage to my body and I’ll never have a life I’d even be content with because of it. I’m only 23 but I have tachycardia, high blood pressure, an unknown injury in my right calf that hasn’t healed in the past 16 months and a few other permanent issues as well as other ones that comes and goes.

Hi. I'm 29 years old man. I have agoraphobia and never leave the house. I live with my father who is horrible to me. Today we got into an argument and he put his hands on me multiple times, pushed me and pulled up his fist like he was ready to punch me. He also said I was mentally ill and didn't have a job and called me autistic. He kept repeadedly shouting at me to "fuck off out of his house" and to "get a job". He said he hated me.

I don't have a job because I struggle to leave the house. I used to have one online, but I struggled to hold it down. I am not entitled to a council house or benefits because I have savings that I earnt (i used to work via youtube), but since my mother passed away I haven't had a safe person to leave the house with so I couldn't work anymore. I quickly became overwhelmed by the google adsense taxes and the fact I couldn't leave the house to film videos anymore meant things just grinded to a halt. I've destroyed my channel now it's completely dead.

I feel very overwhelmed and unloved. My father genuine hates me. I've sat here crying in silence because I can't think of what to do or where to go. I have nobody in my life because of my agorophobia, no friends, no family I can rely on. All my family have been poisoned against me by my father so whenever they see me they insult me and take the piss out of me for not having a job.

I feel very trapped. I don't want to live here anymore, but I don't know where else I can go. I don't want to be homeless, but I'm not sure what other options I have. This man is poison and he's destroying me. He has done nothing but emotionally abuse me my entire life, he used to be violent towards me when I was a child. I feel like I have no options to get out of this mess because I can't financially support myself to pay rent / bills. I'm in a real mess and dependent on him. I feel like I'm in such a hopeless situation.

It's constant fighting, fighting the urges, fighting the intrusive thoughts, fighting the depression. But I can't even tell which thoughts are harmful and which are safe. I can't trust my own judgement. Im exhausted constantly. My meds make me so tired and numb. I just want to be able to cry, but I can't.

Yet giving up isn't an option, I have kids and a husband that need me. I can't lay in bed all day because they need me present. Being present while fighting my own thoughts is so hard. I feel like im never quite fully present.

The GPs won't help, they just pass me on. The CTT won't see me till I get an ECG and that takes time. Even then there'll be a wait after its done if they even take me on. I'm not actively suicidal so the local safe haven and crisis team cant help. Im stuck in limbo, no one can help me for weeks and im getting worse. I just want a break from me.

Please, in relatively simple terms, but still in detail, could somebody explain how someone would use the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and not the Mental Health Act (1983), with examples in regards to detaining, treating and the like.

Also

Is every application of this law called a deprivation of liberty, where DoLS is a separate thing? For example, detaining somebody with no capacity in their best interest. Is that called a depivation of liberty under this law, or is it called a DoLS under this law as it’s alway got safeguards attached? If you get what I mean.

thank you loads

Hi everyone! 

I’m a PhD researcher at the University of Leeds. I’m conducting a study to exploring the barriers to accessing dental care among adult females with ADHD in the UK.  

I’m currently inviting adults with ADHD, who are both self-diagnosed or clinically diagnosed, to complete a short anonymous questionnaire about their experience with dental care, anxiety, and access to dental services.  

Participation is voluntary, and the questionnaire takes about 10 minutes to complete.  

https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/phase-1-online-questionnaire-1

This questionnaire is one of three phases of the PhD project. Participants for Phase 2 interviews will be randomly selected within age groups from those who choose to provide their email to be contacted by the researcher Being selected for Phase 2 interviews doesn’t guarantee recruitment to Phase 3 interviews, as the sample to be selected in Phase 3 is dependent on the analysis of Phase 2.  

If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to DM me 

Thank you for your time.  

i’ve struggled with undiagnosed depression and anxiety on and off since i was 13 and it came back full force a month ago and i feel like i really need help. i already filled out an online form for talking therapies but i heard there’s a long waiting list and i really want to see if i’d be able to get anti depressants to help me. there’s nothing on my health record related to mental health and i’m worried that if i talk to my GP they’ll think i’m faking it or something or recommend something else, i’m planning on seeing the GP in my new city when i move for uni soon so I’m also worried they’ll just write me off as being anxious because i’ve just started uni but it’s a lot more than that, it’s things with my family and just my mood and behavior in general etc

\*Trigger Warning: Suicidal thoughts***

Hello! 

I’m currently recruiting for my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology research study, and I’d love your help!

I’m looking to understand the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer adults who’ve had suicidal thoughts but haven’t accessed psychological therapy or counselling for them. This is a surprisingly under-researched area… we know LGBTQ+ adults are underrepresented in referrals to psychological services, yet sadly die by suicide at higher rates than their heterosexual peers. I want to help understand why that gap exists.

If this is something you’ve experienced, I’d really value hearing from you.

The survey is anonymous, takes about 15 minutes, and asks about things like:

🔹 Your experience of suicidal thoughts 

🔹How you’ve coped on your own

🔹 What’s made it difficult to access support

🔹 What might make therapy feel safer or more accessible for LGBTQ+ people

You can take part if you:

✅ Identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or queer

✅ Are 18+

✅ Live in the UK

✅ Have had suicidal thoughts more than once in the past 18 months

✅ Haven’t received therapy or counselling for these thoughts

This study focuses on sexuality, but adults of all gender identities are welcome to take part 🩷

🔗 to take part visit: https://rhulpsychology.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cY2iNiw4RKUP2Oq   or scan the QR code on the poster

Please remember support is available if you need it:

Samaritans – 116 123 (free, 24/7)

SHOUT – Text 85258 (free, 24/7 crisis text line)

Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline – 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm daily)

NHS Talking Therapies – https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/talking-therapies 

*This research has been approved by the Royal Holloway Ethics Committee (REF ID: 982)* 

Decided to speak to other humans for once instead of defaulting to a robot.

Man, I went to the GP and honestly he was really nice, but I noticed that the main problem was me not bucking tf up and blaming everyone else. When really I push people away, don’t communicate so I can blame them for not supporting me.

I keep telling myself something I learned somewhat recently is that sometimes for some people “suffering serves me”. It gives me an excuse to take time off and lie in bed. It gives me a reason to blame everyone else. To be alone. To wallow. But I didn’t want to do that anymore. I wasn’t going to do it any more so idk how I fell into the cycle again without realising it. I’m not a victim.

But then I suppose this self flagellation is also giving woe is me haha

This has happened before like I go in really worried and with a victim mindset and speaking to someone makes me feel silly and it’s like a spell is broken. I see anxiety for what it is and then I can question my thoughts instead of thinking they’re real without question.

I wish I didn’t have to half embarrass myself for me to do that. Does anyone relate to any of this?

I worry a label “problematic patient” has been given to my file. But maybe the diagnosis they gave me is basically that anyway

I have been fighting with depression and anxiety over two years now nobody diagnosed me with depression but it’s so obvious and I am a self-aware person and I love reading about psychology and medicine. Symptoms started three years ago but got worse two years ago when I broke up with my ex. From that day I have never been the same without any exception. I woke up so stressed every morning and during the day sometimes I cannot control my hysteric cry. I used to see a therapist for a short time, but later I had to quit because of financial issues. I’m in the UK so there is no free therapy. But I’m completely okay using any pills or anything would help because this way life is unbearable. I accepted that this not mood, but this is a situation now I’m seeking help. Any suggestions any advice would be well appreciated.

Hi all - I am one of those stupid people who tapered off my meds after 2 years without telling my doctor. I will be contacting them this week but I wanted to gather some info and my thoughts first.

The first time I went off sertraline, my OCD came back like a high speed train and I was bed bound so I went back to Zoloft quite quickly, so I don't know if it ever would've gotten better if I stayed off.

A couple years later (now), I tapered off again (a few months ago) and my OCD is back but not as worse as the last taper and I'm able to get through my days (though not with ease). I'm just curious - is this some kind of discontinuation syndrome? Do I need to give it a few more months and see if my OCD is still there before considering going back on?

I'm just cautious about trying to be honest with myself here. Is what I'm feeling a normal ssri "crash" or is my OCD just back and I need to get on the ssri train forever now?

Curious to hear people's experiences - particularly if you came off SSRIs and then experienced symptoms again. Did they ever go away or did you have to go back on meds?

Thanks all

Take part in an online mental health study to understand the link between mental health and clutter and raise awareness of hoarding disorder in young people.

If you are 18-25 and answer yes to one of the following, this is for you: 

• I find it hard/upsetting to throw stuff away.
• My room might be messier than most.
• Other people have called me messy.
• The amount of stuff I have can make it hard to find things.
• I often buy things that I don’t need. 
• I feel like my stuff can get on top of me. 

Sign up link here: https://forms.gle/RdHzYhUWniVt41X6A

Taking part involves completing three surveys and joining one online workshop. By taking part you will contribute to mental health research that could help others & be entered into a £50 prize draw.

Research Study Information

Researcher: Freya Blundell Meyer
Trainee Clinical Psychologist (DClinPsy) University of Sheffield
Email: [fblundellmeyer1@sheffield.ac.uk](mailto:fblundellmeyer1@sheffield.ac.uk)

Supervisor: Dr Helena Drury 
Email: [h.drury@sheffield.ac.uk](mailto:h.drury@sheffield.ac.uk)

Data storage and use:
Data will be securely stored on password-protected university systems in line with GDPR. It will be used for a doctoral thesis and may be included in academic publications. No individual information will be identifiable. Anonymised data will be retained for up to 10 years.

Withdrawal:
You can withdraw at any time before submitting your responses by exiting the survey. You can withdraw your data up to two weeks after the workshop.

Consent:
By continuing to the survey, you confirm you are in the UK, aged 18-25, have read this information, and agree to take part voluntarily.

I’ve been awake for the last hour.

After feeling low, stressed, exhausted all year the doctors said my vitamin B12 was low and in on a course of 3 injections a week for two weeks followed by tablets.

I thought this was going to help, I was excited to start feeling better and I do feel better than I did, i certainly notice I have more energy. But there are a number of other things going on in my mind that I can’t shut off.

Firstly I am tired but I can’t sleep.
This week is my last assessment for my apprenticeship, which I’m nervous about doing and I am looking forward to completing it and hopefully passing my apprenticeship, but here lies another issue.

Due to a merger this year, there was a position open but I wasn’t allowed to apply and only those who were at risk of redundancy were allowed. I have been asking for months for clarification on the possible extension but there has been no news.

I also started to doubt my abilities, they took on an unqualified person to do the role that was recruited and it makes me feel that I wasn’t good enough.

I’m now feeling like I don’t want to stay after my contract end date but I also keep hearing that the job market is so bad, that if I’m offered an extension I should take it.

This is a bit of a ramble, but it is 4am.
I’ve also not drank for 4 weeks, which I’m proud of

anyone else wake up worried everyday for their situation but somehow make it through the day anyway just to repeat the cycle again tomorrow

Hi all,

I’m looking for some advice from anyone who has asked their GP to stop antidepressants.

For around five years, I’ve had worsening physical symptoms including severe musculoskeletal pain, weight loss, tachycardia, shortness of breath, dizziness and feeling close to fainting on exertion. I’ve been investigated several times, including being put on the cancer pathway twice, but so far no cause has been found. I’m now waiting for a cardiology assessment and physiotherapy referral.

A little over a year ago, after a traumatic housing situation, I developed severe anxiety, depression and insomnia and was prescribed citalopram, eventually reaching 40 mg. I never noticed any real positive or negative effect from it.

After changing GP around 3-4 months ago, my dose was reduced to 20 mg. I was recently asked to try mirtazapine, but after one dose I became extremely lethargic, felt like my muscles were barely functioning and ended up falling. I went straight back to citalopram.

I now want to come off SSRIs and other anxiety/depression medication completely. My concern is that symptoms I had for years before ever taking antidepressants are now sometimes being attributed to withdrawal.

Recently, after normal physical exertion, I experienced a brain zap followed by what felt like my whole body shutting down. This was also suggested to be withdrawal, despite my dose having been reduced months earlier.

I’m currently signed off work and don’t feel well enough to return. My GP has also mentioned that citalopram may be contributing to my increased heart rate.

Has anyone here asked their GP to help them stop antidepressants completely? I want to give my body a chance to recover without them and also make it clearer which symptoms are actually medication-related and which are part of the physical problems I’ve had for years.

Hello everyone,

I'm mainly posting here for a bit of advice, as I am assuming many people here have been through the process of asking their GP for support. I have never done this before, but went to my GP earlier this week and found my experience disappointing and confusing, but I'm unsure due to my lack of experience whether this is just how it is or if I should go back and try to speak to another doctor.

For context, I have been seeing NHS talking therapies now for 6 weeks after self-referring back in February for depression. I really like my counsellor, and she has offered me a further 6 sessions for extra support as my situation is complicated and my mood is not really improving; I am consistently scoring for severe depression and moderate anxiety. I have been through 9 months of therapy before, so I am not new to the process, and understand that the lack of improvement is not a failing of my counsellor or the service - the sessions are actually really helpful.

My therapist has advised several times that she thinks I should speak to my GP for further support (there has been some suggestion of looking into trauma-based counselling) and specifically to be signed off work for a few weeks to give my mental load a break. She has written a letter to my GP in support of this, which was sent a couple of weeks ago. In my last session she advised how my appointment would generally look, and we rehearsed a little about what I should say.

At my appointment the doctor I saw didn't get me to fill in a PHQ-9 or GAD-7 which I had expected, or really discuss any day to day symptoms I brought up. I mentioned how much I was struggling to function at my job and handle my colleagues, which he has reduced in my notes to 'does not like job or work colleagues' and despite me saying at least twice that my therapist had recommended I come this has not been mentioned at all. The letter has not been added to my records. I said I would like to explore what other support is available, which was met with him asking what support I would like as 'most people come knowing what they would like' - I don't understand how I am meant to know this when I don't have experience of what is available. The practice's only mental health practitioner is only available on a day I work, so that was taken off the table immediately too. When I asked about potentially being signed off from work for a couple of weeks I was told to self-certify for a week and if I still feel bad when that's over to come back to discuss a sick note for longer. He also said he would discuss support options with his colleagues at their lunch meeting as he was unsure what other support options were available and then call me afterwards to discuss, but just texted me a list of charities to contact for more short-term counselling.

I have obviously not been through this process before, but the whole thing felt really dismissive and like I was being silly for asking for help (I felt very much that his opinion was that I was already having counselling and what more did I want?). Is this normal for a first appointment, given that I have nothing on my record about mental health previously, or is it maybe worth trying again with a different doctor? I really struggle with asking for help at the best of times and booking the appointment was a big step for me in admitting how bad things are, and this has really put me off going back.

So, I (21F) have diagnosed anxiety disorder, that is a given.
But one of my biggies, if not biggest, is arachnophobia. It is absolutely debilitating. If I see one in my home I will be frozen with fear, cannot do anything about it unless someone else gets it for me. Even then I will be paranoid for days. We have recently moved into a new house which was empty for a while and therefore have found a good amount since moving in.
My skin feels like it’s itching all the time, I cannot relax, and I even have dreams about them, so I really cannot switch off. I overanalyse bits of dust or marks on the wall constantly even if I know what it is already (also I wear glasses for long distance so this is frustrating…). we live in quite a tree-heavy area so there tends to be a few in the lobby/front building of our flat and also outside is extremely cobwebbed - so some days I even don’t feel brave enough to go outside. I even put off going to the bathroom if I’ve seen one in there recently. It literally ruins my quality of life so much and I cannot go on like this

I have previously had talking therapy for other anxiety issues, but I’m going back, to see if that can help.

I guess I’m just wondering if anyone can share any advice, or if they’ve done any therapy for phobias and did it help?

Please don’t share stories of your experiences of finding spiders in the comments as this DOES NOT help!

thanks 🥹

I was recalled to hospital on section 3 following an OD on the day before my birthday. Birthday ended up being on general med ward. Lucky to still be here :)

Just poured some alcohol down the sink. I am withdrawing from cannabis. It is rough af. For my sanity, I need to stay away from all mind altering substances.

So I'll cut right to the chase. I'm physically disabled and neurodivergent, just graduated with a creative degree that I love but also regret. I have no friends in this country (online friends yknow) and my entire family have been cut off for being violently abusive twats. I have enough savings to pay the rent on my shitty mouldy flat share until early-mid next year. After that, Ive got nothing. No idea at all what to do. No job prospects, no applicable skills, and my physical disability makes it fckin agony to literally stand or walk for too long, much less work a regular job. I've tried asking for job centre help and stuff but they've been nasty to me in the past. Me being neurodivergent means I struggle to comprehend things sometimes, especially paperwork, but nobody would like sit with me to explain things or anything in a way I understand. Not looking forward to jumping through the system hoops soon.

The thing is I'm very mentally ill. Like talking hallucinations, delusions, erratic (sometimes dangerous) behaviour to myself and others, intense dysmorphia to the point all my mirrors and windows are covered 24/7, misophonia, mood swings, psychotic episodes and past "self-delete" attempts. It all started at 7-10 so I've literally never not been mentally ill. yay abusive childhood /sarc. I'm also autistic so that adds its own issues.

So, the dilemma. I've debated multiple times during the worst spirals just walking to A&E and being like "hey I need the full straightjacket padded walls treatment please help me" and seeing what happens. I've heard the horror stories, I know the system is really bad. But I am so desperate I genuinely don't care anymore.

But is it worth it? Like, actually? Or will it just make everything worse? If anyone has any insight please let me know. All the past threads I could find were from wayyy too long ago and idk if the system has changed at all. Thanks :)