[elmarko]

hi, i wonder if you could help me. i have just been refered to a CPN by my doc, im just awaiting the appointment now, i was wondering if you could give me an idea of what to expect? i have herd several very different stories about em and its all a bit confusing. what generally happens at them? how formal/relaxed is it all? what sort of things do they talk about with you? how up front are they? im going because of depression and self harm, will they want me to explain why i self harm and whats making me depressed? please help!

Marko

[kittykat]

Marc

Hi there!!

What is a CPN? Certified Nurse Practitioner? It is not familiar to me. Maybe some people don't know what it is and therefore cannot reply.

[Fuzzybear]

Hi Marko, I am in the UK I have heard some good reports about CPN's (Community Psychiatric Nurses) although I have not seen one. I think in general the sessions are more relaxed and informal than in traditional "psychotherapy". I suppose a lot depends on their personality, and whether or not you "gell" with them...

It might help to think about what you might want to share with them in advance. They should be able to help you work out why you self harm, and what is making you depressed, but any thoughts you could share would help the process. I hope this makes some sense ... I would be very interested to hear how you get on!

Take care,
Fuzzy

[kittykat]

Hi again Marko:

If you have a good CPN, they will probably ask you what brought you there, very good at making you feel comfortable. They do this is a career, know what they are doing, and are generally able to help you see what is going on with you, without judgment. They help you to know why you feel the way you do, and gently guide you to see your worth as a human being and to take steps that will help you recover.

Hope this helps a teeny bit.

KK

[xan2004]

my experience with a CPN isn't good as i had a CPN and a social worker come round one day a week as part of a crisis team because i was feeling extremely suicidal and all they did was talk for more or less an hour then bugger off home leaving me with very sharp objects still on the table we was sat talking, so for me they weren't any good.

i have come to learn that psychiatrists and CPN's only nod there head and talk about what meds to dope you up on next.
which is strange as everyone i know that has seen a cpn says they are great must just be the area i live in i guess.