Struggling to choose a GP, Psychologist and Psychiatrist... how do you MHP?

[Aelin]

Noob to the thread here 🙂 I love reading everyones experiences and advice and am hoping you could give me a hand

My original GP went on leave the week after we put together my mental health plan. The referrals to psychiatrists that she gave me all fell through because they had enormous waiting lists. I didn't't do anything for a few months but I have just started my first full time job after uni and am not coping well at all. I think that my GPs diagnosis of a healthy dose of depression with a touch of anxiety for flavour doesn't tell the full story, but that is what's on my MHP. My personal situation has also changed quite a bit since I first got the MHP and it really a poor reflection of my current self. Can it be rewritten?

I found a psychologist through some directory and he is great and I think I would really like to work with him to improve my relationship with myself, but he isn't interested in the specific pathology of disorders - which isn't helping me to communicate what is wrong to either myself or others, or know what to ask/search for to help myself at home.

Should I try to find another GP to refer me to a psychiatrist? I feel like I need to get myself physically well (chemistry-wise) so that I can have the clarity and stability to figure out and fix my thoughts, but also need some quick patches to get me through the next few weeks. I'm struggling to know what to try and what might work because I'm not totally sure what is wrong.

I also feel like a Psychiatrist will be more expensive, so my 6 free visits could be put to better use there. Can I use my remaining 4 elsewhere if I have already used 2 for the psychologist?

[geoff]

hello Aelin, what I would suggest is for you to try and find another GP, you can do this by clicking on 'Get Support' and scroll down until you see 'Find a professional', these are doctors aligned with BB and specialise in MH.
You will need a particular psychologist who can identify your condition and then work on helping you, someone who isn't interested in identifying your illness won't be the best help for you, then maybe once you know what you're struggling with, but initially I don't think so, others may disagree with me.
These 'quick patches' won't be so easy as you may think, simply because you don't know what your trying to overcome your depression and anxiety could contribute to so many factors, some which you don't know about, however a general rule may help but it won't be enough to last a long time.
Some psychiatrist's bulk bill so I would be contacting different psych's and asking them if they do this.
If you've used 2 sessions with your psychologist then you will only be entitled to another 2 on top of the 6, but check with your GP or even the psych to make sure, your doctor can extend the sessions beyond 10 if they feel there is an urgency.
Let usknow how you get on. Geoff.

[Aelin]

Hey,

thank you so much, you helped me with that little kick of motivation to find a new GP. She was great and put me in touch with an amazing psychiatrist straight away.

She has been an awesome support even though we are still working on getting medication stable.

Im hoping to start CBT with a psychologist soon but I want to find a good one as early as possible. Im 9 health professionals deep now and just want to stabilise.

thank you again, I wouldn't be half as well as I am today without this

A.

[geoff]

Hi Aelin, thanks for getting back to us and I am so pleased you have found a great GP as well as an amazing psychiatrist.

Let us know how your CBT with a psychologist goes, and hope you also get a great benefit from it.

Great news.

Geoff.