Depression

Dimi

Dimi

Dimi

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Joined
10 Sep 2008
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London
Hi,

I've been referred to a IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) for my case of depression.

I'll be seeing someone in January :eek: 4 week wait for mental health seems crazy to me.

Is this a case of 1 on 1 opening up type of thing with a pro or is there more to it.
 
I think it sort of depends where you live and whats available to you. the last time I did something like this I essentially went for a diagnosis as it were.

Basically sat down and this lady asked me what was wrong etc. and then advised forward movement.
 
I think the requirement is within 6 weeks ideally, with a maximum of 18? Which seems absolutely mental, no pun intended.

The IAPT website does have some information that you may find useful, but really your GP should have discussed what it entails. I believe it's a combination of medication (where necessary) and talking therapies, but have no first hand experience of it.
 
Dimi said:
Hi,

I've been referred to a IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) for my case of depression.

I'll be seeing someone in January :eek: 4 week wait for mental health seems crazy to me.

Is this a case of 1 on 1 opening up type of thing with a pro or is there more to it.
Click to expand...

Depression is a not an urgent issue unless you're suicidal.

There is plenty you can do to address depression on your own: better diet, regular exercise and getting some order in your life will do far more than a 30 minute chat.

Obviously people with serious traumas (sexual abuse, violence and so forth) may need more specific help, but even they benefit from lifestyle changes.
 
I got referred and seen very quickly (2 weeks iirc) but my friend who lives in a different NHS trust was told 5-6 months for a place on a CBT course :eek:

Good luck with it :)
 
Dimi said:
Is this a case of 1 on 1 opening up type of thing with a pro or is there more to it.
Click to expand...
When I was referred to IAPT it began with a one-on-one assessment with a psychiatric nurse. We spoke for about an hour and then she sent a detailed statement of her assessment to my GP. This outlined my problems (e.g. low mood, suicidal thoughts, etc.), areas for concern (e.g. self harming, excessive alcohol consumption, etc.), and her recommendation for what treatment I should receive.

After the assessment she spoke with a doctor who recommended an anti-depressant that might be appropriate for me and I was put on a waiting list for therapy. A few weeks later I had a telephone assessment to see what kind of therapy would be appropriate for me and I was put on a waiting list for cognitive behavioural therapy. I was told the wait would be about three to six months. It took five months to be seen.

Whilst I was waiting for CBT to begin I started monthly visits with a psychiatric nurse to make sure that my condition was monitored. These visits lasted for about fifteen minutes and consisted of me telling the nurse my thoughts and my progress with the medication. I was asked if I had self harmed at all, if I felt suicidal and if I had any plans to act on those thoughts. I was also asked if I ever heard voices, if I thought I could read people's minds, if I thought I had special powers, and if I knew what day it was, what the date was and where I was at that particular moment (i.e. which hospital).

It's great that you've started to seek help for your problems but you will have to be patient. Receiving help for mental health problems can be a slow process but you're doing the right thing.

In the meantime you might want to have a look at this site - http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/. It contains a lot of helpful information that your therapist will probably cover later on.
 
Thompson_NCL said:
Depression is a not an urgent issue unless you're suicidal.
Click to expand...

Or a danger to others :) I like what you said about diet.... But pizza



Depression is a complicated thing :/ once saw someone have a complete breakdown because she had been having a bad day of depression and someone said the horrid phrase " it could be worse " not understanding that for that woman that day was for no necessary reason the worst day of her life. I hate that phrase it's so condescending:D

Best of health to you all :D
 
It can take 6 months+ to get referred anywhere in scotland. GP refers you to someone who assesses you, that can take a few months to happen then that person refers you further and can take 6 months or more to see anyone from that point. So usually 8 months minimum before you get any help at all.
 
My GP said I was suffering from depression and just gave me some anti-depressants. This was about eight years ago and I am still on them to this day.
 
billyboyd said:
My GP said I was suffering from depression and just gave me some anti-depressants. This was about eight years ago and I am still on them to this day.
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Presumably you've been back for appointments since and not just repeating the same prescription for 8 years?
 
My wife works for a consultant at a mental health unit & I regularly hear that appointments have a 6 to 8 week waiting list.
What doesn't help, as with most practices, is the number of people who fail to attend there appointments.
 
@Op glad you have taken the steps to start getting better by seeing someone about your problems. Hope things start improving for you soon!

About waiting lists where i live its a 12 month wait to see CBT and my mum is waiting 12 months for pain management \:. The NHS is just :confused: sometimes.
 
js58426 said:
When I was referred to IAPT it began with a one-on-one assessment with a psychiatric nurse. We spoke for about an hour and then she sent a detailed statement of her assessment to my GP. This outlined my problems (e.g. low mood, suicidal thoughts, etc.), areas for concern (e.g. self harming, excessive alcohol consumption, etc.), and her recommendation for what treatment I should receive.

After the assessment she spoke with a doctor who recommended an anti-depressant that might be appropriate for me and I was put on a waiting list for therapy. A few weeks later I had a telephone assessment to see what kind of therapy would be appropriate for me and I was put on a waiting list for cognitive behavioural therapy. I was told the wait would be about three to six months. It took five months to be seen.

Whilst I was waiting for CBT to begin I started monthly visits with a psychiatric nurse to make sure that my condition was monitored. These visits lasted for about fifteen minutes and consisted of me telling the nurse my thoughts and my progress with the medication. I was asked if I had self harmed at all, if I felt suicidal and if I had any plans to act on those thoughts. I was also asked if I ever heard voices, if I thought I could read people's minds, if I thought I had special powers, and if I knew what day it was, what the date was and where I was at that particular moment (i.e. which hospital).

It's great that you've started to seek help for your problems but you will have to be patient. Receiving help for mental health problems can be a slow process but you're doing the right thing.

In the meantime you might want to have a look at this site - http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/. It contains a lot of helpful information that your therapist will probably cover later on.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, did the therapy sessions help you?

For those asking about meds, first word that came out of my GP's mouth was anti-depressants :eek: I'm sort of worried about them to be honest, wanted the option of getting help via a psychiatrist first.
 
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