[Resident Bipolar]

So if you're not aware, here in the UK we have a mental health team for children and a separate one for adults. In the child mental health team I had a therapist and a psychiatrist who had, pretty much, been with me for the entire four years I was with the adult team.

The child team was fantastic. They had issues but they knew me and my disorder in and out. They understood I was forgetful and have anxiety issues with attending appointments and knew exactly how both Aspergers and Bipolar affects me and how urgent I sometimes need assistance. I knew exactly what to do if I needed help - I had my main mental health team and three individual crisis team numbers.

Then I got moved to the adult team when I turned 18. And there didn't seem to be a problem, until recently when now I've had a relapse (thread about this relapse is called 'Here we go again'). In the adult team I have a social worker, a psychiatrist (and due to a recent appointment, soon I will have a new therapist). If I want a medication review, I have to go through my social worker. If I need assistance when suicidal, I need to go to my social worker. And when I want to see my (soon-to-be) therapist, I have to go through my social worker. I had an appointment scheduled following the appointment with my psychiatrist and social worker which led to a quitiapine increase. I missed this appointment because I forgot all about it and have been suffering with memory and concentration issues.

I called the following day after my mom reminded me about the appointment to apologise and rearrange it. I got through to reception, she wasn't in, so I left a message with her. I called the following day, left another message. A week and FOUR messages later, I had a missed call from my social worker (phone was on silent) and a voicemail saying she'll call back the next day or I can call her in case SHE forgets! Nonetheless I did call the next day at about 9:30am and I left a message at reception because she wasn't in yet. I then called the hours later and got told she was in a meeting and to leave a message with the receptionist, which I did. Another week later? No call, no luck getting through to my social worker. I'm getting more and more depressed by the day. The medication increase hasn't worked. I've relapsed into self harm as of today. And this is making things worse.

I have a history of suicide attempts (once very nearly succeeding) and hospitalisation both in psychiatric units and general hospital due to artery and nerve damage from self injury. Child services knew this severity and therefore dealt with me urgently.

Sometimes I feel more inclined to end my life just due down to the fact that having no support there like I used to makes me feel even more like nobody cares.

This is ridiculous. I can't do it :'(

[polesapart]

Unfortunately there is often a huge disparity between child and adult services in any country. I'm really sorry you're feeling like this. Have you thought about going to hospital to get some immediate help?

Even though they've moved you to the Adult Services maybe you could contact those that you dealt with from the children's side. Tell them what you're dealing with & maybe they could talk to the Adult Services group & get them to realize just how important your situation is. Please don't give up! Maybe your mom could talk to them for you too? Hang in there and please keep posting because here @ PC we do care!!!!

[A Red Panda]

Is there any chance you can just show up at your social worker's office? You could just show up and go "Look, I've been contacting you for like two weeks and you have not contacted me back yet. I'm staying RIGHT HERE until you talk to me."

Then make sure you've got snacks and drinks with you, and stay put. haha.

RB! Wow. To have all that going through one person (the social worker) is.... not sure what word to use(!) Especially if they are not good about getting back to you promptly! I'd second Cracking Slowly's idea about talking with the child's team and seeing if maybe they can advocate for you. Or at least maybe they have some tips/tricks/advice for dealing with the other system??

Now.... you know I ALWAYS care, right, RB? Just checking! You know I do!

(Will look for your other thread now...)

[TippPatt]

Originally Posted by Resident Bipolar

Sometimes I feel more inclined to end my life just due down to the fact that having no support there like I used to makes me feel even more like nobody cares.

This is ridiculous. I can't do it :'(

This is exactly why I'm afraid of ObamaCare here in the US. If I had to go through what you're going through in trying to get help, I too would be ready to end it. I know I sure feel that way when I'm feeling misunderstood, therefore misunderstood and being ignored together would tilt me to places I've rarely been but know are extremely dangerous for me.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you.

Oh, silly me. I know your other thread! Thought I missed one just today. Apparently need to eat a proper meal. (Being prepped -- veggies and tofu and rice, oh my!)

Now... before, with the child team, you could contact them individually? And they all worked together, or, in the same loop, yes? Is your current team in the same loop (with each other, not with the child team members)?
I just can't figure out why they would have it so different, but then again, I can't figure out bureaucracy, so...

Sure, they've got a system, but it might be worthwhile to inquire with each individual one regarding contact. Sometimes people are very by-the-book, and other times not so much. Explain the lack of timely response from the social worker, and see if they don't suggest an alternative (perhaps themselves!). If not, ask them directly what you should do in such a situation. Maybe that information isn't initially forthcoming, they simply present standard procedure. How to explain? Here's a parallel. You know when you look up information for troubleshooting some gizmo or site procedure and all their answers make the assumption that everything's working? Which... if it was, you'd not have anything to look up, right?(!) (Pet peeve, that.) Then of course you've got to go digging for the "yes, but if the abc isn't doing xyz..." stuff. The answers that exist, but are not as widely "distributed" you might say. Maybe it's like that.

Good luck getting this sorted, RB, and please keep us posted, ok?
Much

[Resident Bipolar]

Just a quick update. Today I phoned up again and was told by reception she wasn't in. I was asked if I wanted to leave a message and yet again I obliged, even though I'm aware she most likely won't get back to me.

One positive is that I DO have an appointment for a medication review that's been planned for months on the 8th July with my consultant psych. I'll probably tell her about the shortcomings I've been experiencing and see what she has to say. Even though its an appointment, it's not really with the right person - sure, my meds do need adjusting, but she can't help with disability benefit like she can, nor can she deal with getting me referred to a new therapist.

Feeling a little bit better now I know I have that appointment coming, but living off £60 a week for food; cigarettes; phone bill; credit card bill and my medication is further affecting my mood. It's still probably going to be a long while until I get benefits so the debt is building up while I'm having to live off credit just to eat. Psychiatrist once again cannot help with that, only my social worker can, if I ever get to see her.

For god sake, when I was discharged from psych, it was on the condition I attended an appointment at least weekly. Right now I'm seeing one person a month, if that.

Sorry but the services are so full of crap. When I was having my discharge meeting, my care plan stated I'd have this and that support, my mom would have this and that support...and none of it has been stuck to. The urges to do serious damage to myself is getting worse.

What a mess!
RB.

[A Red Panda]

reading that makes me feel soooo angry on your behalf! I can't believe how ridiculous that social worker is. You need a new social worker ASAP - when you finally DO get in contact with her, I'd be demanding a transfer to someone else.. because this is just beyond ridiculous.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by CheshireCatGrin

I can't believe how ridiculous that social worker is. You need a new social worker ASAP - when you finally DO get in contact with her, I'd be demanding a transfer to someone else.. because this is just beyond ridiculous.

Totally agree. You need to start keep a diary of dates messages left for her and attempts to contact her. Complain to her supervisor and your pdoc and anyone else who will listen. That's just not right.

Oooooh, yes, great idea, Yoda! Keeping specific records is really helpful in such situations. Dates, times, whom you spoke with, what they said they'd do, etc. Concrete, specific evidence is good, as it adds credibility and seriousness to a complaint. It is far harder to write off as "just perception" or exaggeration. Besides, they can check it out themselves if they are so inclined. Even if they aren't, deep inside they know it can be verified, by, say, someone above them.... mwahahaha.

[~Christina]

(((( RB )))))

Good grief ! Damn I am sorry you are getting the run around so bad from well everyone ! I have been in a similar situation .. I was self harming and talking it all out on myself when in fact " They" were the problem, So I dieided instead of letting it turn into ME suffering over it ,, They became my main focus my main goal was to call and call and call and show up at there offices etc and bug the living hell out of them ... I obessed on them and making the do there just correctly .

Took a while but I was determined , wrote down every call , well just anything and everything. I stopped self harm in the middle of this so it was an okay thing i guess.

The squeaky well gets the oil <~~ true !

You don't deserve this at all , Try and hang in there and become a down right pest they need to deal with .

[TippPatt]

Originally Posted by Resident Bipolar

Just a quick update. Today I phoned up again and was told by reception she wasn't in. I was asked if I wanted to leave a message and yet again I obliged, even though I'm aware she most likely won't get back to me.

One positive is that I DO have an appointment for a medication review that's been planned for months on the 8th July with my consultant psych. I'll probably tell her about the shortcomings I've been experiencing and see what she has to say. Even though its an appointment, it's not really with the right person - sure, my meds do need adjusting, but she can't help with disability benefit like she can, nor can she deal with getting me referred to a new therapist.

Feeling a little bit better now I know I have that appointment coming, but living off £60 a week for food; cigarettes; phone bill; credit card bill and my medication is further affecting my mood. It's still probably going to be a long while until I get benefits so the debt is building up while I'm having to live off credit just to eat. Psychiatrist once again cannot help with that, only my social worker can, if I ever get to see her.

For god sake, when I was discharged from psych, it was on the condition I attended an appointment at least weekly. Right now I'm seeing one person a month, if that.

Sorry but the services are so full of crap. When I was having my discharge meeting, my care plan stated I'd have this and that support, my mom would have this and that support...and none of it has been stuck to. The urges to do serious damage to myself is getting worse.

What a mess!
RB.

I went through your update process. I found out that my regular doc's meds were more potent than what they were allowed to prescribe (so that was a no go) and for me to actually get to see a therapist, I was required to show up on either Tuesdays or Thursdays and wait my turn for whatever therapist was available, one of three. That meant that I would have access to one then another and possibly the other - never the same one as a standard therapist.

Imagine the waste of time that would be - potentially having to tell three people the same thing would take at least three weeks and expand that with bouncing around from one to another - never therapy for me, but updates for them. That is definitely NOT therapy, my man.

Consequently, I came here to try and manage my therapy in the best way possible for me. To put it out there, as if in a group setting, and get the feedback from people who are just like me, who can understand. And, to save both my 'issues' and replies until such time as I do find a therapist who can review same and tell me, clinically, what the heck is up with me.

Good luck, I hope you get what I was denied.

[Victoria'smom]

you need to transfer social workers. If you can get your files from the children's services and sit down with your new social work and go over it so she can understand your needs.if need be go back to where you would discharge from and tell them you are not getting weekly meetings. I think your new team does not understand the severity of your conditions.

[Resident Bipolar]

I have a medication review with my psychiatrist tomorrow, at which point I expect my meds will be increased yet again, as citalopram is helping about as much as rubbing E45 cream onto my head in an attempt to treat the depression - not at all. As well as the Quitiapine: meds aren't helping nearly as much as they should, in fact the only thing they're doing is preventing mania and keeping me stuck in the downward spiral. Great medications!

A letter arrived on Friday from the benefit services saying they require more evidence: pay slips and an SSP1 form from my employer. Who is now my FORMER employer (as of a day or so after I sent off the form - I couldn't leave my employer in limbo anymore). However, I didn't ever get a single pay slip while I worked, nor did I get to sign a contract in the 3 months I was there. I just got money paid in my account and worked, without any pay slips or a contract or ANY of the documents a GOOD employer would give me. I can't send them an SSP1 form (for statutory sick pay) because I didn't GET any sick pay - despite having a sick note from the doctor, my employer just paid it as annual holiday leave instead of sick leave! To top it off, they want all the forms in by Tuesday! That gives me ONE working day to get all this paperwork to them. They sent the letter out on Monday and it only arrived on Friday. Terrible!

So tomorrow I need to: attend appointment with psychiatrist, complain about my social worker, discuss how depressed I am (which is always difficult), phone benefits line to explain everything, make a citizens advice appointment, see my dad, pick up medication, and spend all day feeling miserable.

RB

[Victoria'smom]

You can't do all that in one day so remove the last thing on your list. Hopefully things will go a lot smoother then they have lately.

[yellowfrog268]

Agree with Yoda and CheshireCat. This social worker must have a supervisor you can speak to. It may not be the system as a whole, it might just be this one very incompetent worker. The supervisor should be able to appreciate the fact that your mental state has suffered for no other reason than not being able to get hold of the one person who seems to be the gate keeper to the services you need. Tell him/her all that you've told us about the attempts at connecting with the social worker, the responses given, no follow up, and how services as an adult have deviated from your discharge plan.

Yikes, RB! Wishing you luck with that to do list(!)
(If time zone calculation is right, it's morning there.) Cheering you on!

[A Red Panda]

How did it go?? I hope it was a good day... and not too stressful!!!

[Resident Bipolar]

Well, I wrote the letter I needed to write and sent that off. I saw my psychiatrist. That's about all I got done. Though technically I got the "feel miserable" one ticked off, too (not much of a highlight really).

I've had my meds switched from citalopram to sertraline as I wasn't experiencing any improvement on the citalopram. We discussed lithium, the result being that its an option but when I'm more stable and less suicidal as the lithium could apparently complicate things. It's a bit awkward I have to be less depressed to go on a mood stabiliser but that's the way it goes I guess!

My psychiatrist explained to me that the social workers are very busy at the moment due to a "big change with the way they work with the rest of the adult team" which is why she hasn't been able to get in touch but said she will try and get me an appointment when she next "discuss[es] my case" with her. Not much use to me and other patients but there we go!

Soon ill be attempting to live on £40 a week as I've got more bills to pay from next month onwards and I can no longer rely on my credit card for food and living essentials because I've almost maxed it out.

Things really aren't going well for me at the moment.
RB.

[A Red Panda]

That.... I'm sorry that things aren't going very well RB.

I just am a bit dumbfounded that that's your psychiatrist's response to how neglectful your social worker has been! Like.. it's good to know the excuse... but quite frankly, your social worker should have been the one to tell you stuff. And how on earth can it ever be considered ok to neglect people who have a history of suicide???? Like.. I can see contacting patients who are consistently stable (like, I'd count in that really) and letting them know that changes are being made and right now their time needs to be saved for those with a higher need.... and then focusing on people in situations like yours - where you want and need the assistance!!! Like... they SHOULD understand how much of a temptation it is to go "eff this!" and storm off. You're trying SO HARD to make things work in your life... and they're making it worse when they're supposed to be making it easier!! I'm sorry that you are stuck in such a crap situation.

Sorry to hear, RB! Be sure to give yourself credit for the things you did accomplish though! All steps, even the ones that seem small, are what add up to the bigger things.
You will (of course!) continue to be in my thoughts. Keep us posted how it's going, ok?