3 thoughts on “At least one third of Mental Health patients feel their physical health is ignored. (only 1/3rd?) #ukmh #mhuk”
The hard fact for many (including me) with mental health conditions is that our mental health needs are being ignored as well.
My GP practice has a ban on all referrals to psychiatrists (unless the patient is in the most serious and severe crisis, then frequently the patient is bounced back to primary care after one consultation) It is nigh on impossible to get access to anything except mixed sex, group based CBT (useless for me) or be told to go to a CMHR which is basically a part time drop in centre with occasional access to a “trainee” counsellor. The waiting list for the trainee is six months and from past experience I would not trust a trainee with any aspect of my complex problems. At my last visit to my GP it was suggested that I attend a charity who provide basic life skills classes such as “how to do things at the right time”, “introduction to literacy” or “how to manage my money” – this from a GP who professes an interest and expertise in mental health matters but deemed it appropriate to offer basic life skills to a post graduate instead of a referral for effective treatment.
Now if I walk into the GP and ask to be weighed, tested for diabetes and have my blood pressure checked then I am almost crushed by the rush of professionals offering their services. This is because there is money for ticking those boxes, but no money to offer effective treatment for mental health.
I would agree on this from my own perspective and experience. Psychiatrists have never been too interested in understanding how my physical limitations impact on my mental wellbeing. The anger and distress I feel from repetative bouts of moobility problems (knees, hips, back) are of little consequence. Mind you my orthopaedic surgeon wasn’t too bothered about me being ‘mad’ either!!!!
I have to say with utmost honesty both my physical and mental health needs are being grossly ignored by the health profession they even knowingly allow me to be abused by others without a whisper of care/support.
Paul telling it how it is in the real world.
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The hard fact for many (including me) with mental health conditions is that our mental health needs are being ignored as well.
My GP practice has a ban on all referrals to psychiatrists (unless the patient is in the most serious and severe crisis, then frequently the patient is bounced back to primary care after one consultation) It is nigh on impossible to get access to anything except mixed sex, group based CBT (useless for me) or be told to go to a CMHR which is basically a part time drop in centre with occasional access to a “trainee” counsellor. The waiting list for the trainee is six months and from past experience I would not trust a trainee with any aspect of my complex problems. At my last visit to my GP it was suggested that I attend a charity who provide basic life skills classes such as “how to do things at the right time”, “introduction to literacy” or “how to manage my money” – this from a GP who professes an interest and expertise in mental health matters but deemed it appropriate to offer basic life skills to a post graduate instead of a referral for effective treatment.
Now if I walk into the GP and ask to be weighed, tested for diabetes and have my blood pressure checked then I am almost crushed by the rush of professionals offering their services. This is because there is money for ticking those boxes, but no money to offer effective treatment for mental health.
I would agree on this from my own perspective and experience. Psychiatrists have never been too interested in understanding how my physical limitations impact on my mental wellbeing. The anger and distress I feel from repetative bouts of moobility problems (knees, hips, back) are of little consequence. Mind you my orthopaedic surgeon wasn’t too bothered about me being ‘mad’ either!!!!
I have to say with utmost honesty both my physical and mental health needs are being grossly ignored by the health profession they even knowingly allow me to be abused by others without a whisper of care/support.
Paul telling it how it is in the real world.