What is mental health plan? Can it be rewritten?

Pseudomonas · ‎02-10-2017

Hi friends, just a random question coz I didn't know anything abt this mental health plan when I saw my first and only counsellor. Counsellor did say a few sessions ago he'd forward/discuss the health plan to my referring gp, but he later also said I should perhaps find another gp in his suburb, he'd omit PTSD in report despite he knows I've got it, he'd write my issues more severe than they are to improve the chances of getting healthcare benefits, etc....in a nutshell, I am seeing my regular gp tmr but I don't know if counsellor has sent her a mental health plan, and how reliable the contents are. I don't want to go and pick up the plan from counsellor.

What is in a mental health plan?

What is it's function?

If I don't want to claim Medicare for the six sessions I had with this counsellor, can my gp re-do a new mental health plan and refer me to a clinical psychologist?

Thanks so much,

Pauline

MsPurple · ‎03-10-2017

I wanna say good job in trusting your gut and discussing this with your GP. I have been scammed by some things (more like over priced beauty products and untrained massage people etc) and it sucks, but at least you found out in time. My mum was a school counselor for a few years, but she never claimed to be a psychologist and she was a firm believer in the medical system. If she thought someone needed more care she would immediately suggested they go find a psychologist through the public system (I'm from the country, and she worked in a public school, most kids couldn't afford therapy and school counselors are free). She couldn't' refer to CAHMS or psychologists because she wasn't a GP but she did write a letter for the kid to take to the GP if asked, however the doctor couldn't use this as a professional based letter as she is not a psychologist. She did this more because some of the kids couldn't open up to the GP and this helped at least get the dr to see that they probably do need further care. I don't want to say counselors are bad, cause I know some that find them useful for mild stress (I should also note I have always see psychologist/mental health nurses/psychiatrist never seen a counselor), however I think if you have a mental illness you probably need someone more qualified like a psychologist/psychiatrist and your GP knows which one to suggest 🙂

Pseudomonas · ‎03-10-2017

Thanks, MsPurple. I'm glad to know your mum is helpful counsellor and pillar of community - how I wish I had met her when I was a child. It's hard enduring years of abuse whilst the school social worker barely noticed me.

I'm sorry I'm full of questions. I'm grateful I find good guidance here - sometimes I feel that I will only be helped if I cause big enough damage in my surroundings... otherwise I just need to take sleeping pills and sleep through my emotions.

I called psychiatrist my gp referred me to for appt. The receptionist kept telling me to book with another psychiatrist, despite I told her abt the referral for this particular psych only repeatedly. I finally just stated no I only want to see Dr X and she said she'd call me back later. I had time to Google the psychiatrist I was referred to - is it alarming 9/10 clients gave a one Star rating? I don't think I can take it if she tells me my brain is in organic decay too 😞 is psychologist better than psychiatrist then? How I wish there's a list of ethical psychiatrists online...

MsPurple · ‎04-10-2017

Hi Pseudomonas. It is good you are asking for advice from a helpful community.

Like you I didn't completely understand it at first. I only understood it when I got one for the first time as an adult, which was around 2-3 years ago!. So I'm still new to this. I have only been referred to a psychiatrist as an adult through headspace (youth mental health service). Since not using the service (I am now 26) I haven't see a psychiatrist, however my medication was already sorted so I only needed my GP to continue prescriptions and manage. If required she will refer me to a psychiatrist.

Although the option to see a psychologist or not is up to you, I honestly think it would be beneficial. Some psychiatrists do counseling as well, some predominately just work on sorting medication (with a bit of history and some counseling but minimal in my adult experience. Note my mum said her psychiatrist was the best counselor/therapist she has seen). Sometimes it can be beneficial to see both (if able to afford it, sometimes you can ask to see a bulk billing dr/psych). A lot of doctors clinics have a few names of psychologist in the local area. Sometimes they know their areas of interest, and they know which ones have worked well with their clients. You can ask your doctor who they recommend. I used my GP recommendations as sometimes online reviews are not the most accurate (if you think about it, are you more likely going to leave a positive or negative review? I'm more likely to leave a negative because I want people to avoid wasting their money). But sometimes looking online at a few of your local psychologist maybe useful and then you can discuss them with your GP as well as some of their suggestions.

It may also be a bit of a red flag if the psychiatrist you are trying to make an appointment with is saying to go elsewhere. There could be a number of reasons, one being they are not taking current clients. Maybe ask your GP for another referral. You may not want to waste time with them, but again that decision is up to you. My mum had this issue. She couldn't get through and she really need to get her meds re-evaluated and sorted, so she got a referal elsewhere and she was so glad she did.

Hope this helps. Do you think you will ask your doctor for other options. Sorry I forgot to ask if you're doctor actually did the mental health care plan with you?

MP

Pseudomonas · ‎05-10-2017

Thanks MP, I am so thankful this site provides me with the support from people who have been there.

My GP did not review my mental health plan. She did not want to listen to my experience at the counsellor she sent me to. But given the counsellor diagnosed me with PTSD she said we should properly diagnose it via a psychiatrist and arrange medication.

I do not think I am that badly affected. I got upset when I wrote the last entry because I accidentally arrived at a place that reminded me of negative memory and hence emotions, but otherwise I can function daily - I need someone professional to talk to

My GP said if I provide her with the name of my preferred psychologist she'd write the referral. Otherwise if I have the money we could wait after the psychiatrist visit. She had no known good psychologist who she worked with. Psychiatrist she said had mostly good feedback was the one whose receptionist asked who referred me and tried to talk me into seeing another psychiatrist in the practice - wouldn't explain to me why but persistently repeated her advice.

Thanks MP for sharing your experience, from your experience I think I need to ask around for good clinical psychologist who can guide me in mindfulness exercises, assertiveness and communication practice etc regularly, like a monthly tips and check type of appt. I know a counsellor can do the same work but I had bad experience with one recently I prefer a dedicated professional this time.

MsPurple · ‎09-10-2017

HI Pseudomonas.

I think maybe getting a second opinion from another GP would be a good idea. It doesn't sound like she is really listening to your concerns. I have had to get a second in the past before. It took me a while to find a good gp that actually listened to me. Is there another local GP you could go to. Doesn't have to be in the same centre

Pseudomonas · ‎11-10-2017

Thanks MsPurple! I tried asking another gp in the same centre (when my original gp was on holidays) but he said he could not change a mental health plan initiated by another gp in the same centre. It's sad there are no sites (I could find) allowing the lucky people amongst us to recommend their caring gp, psychologists, etc and explain why exactly they are good. I might try another gp somewhere else, it's just I had trouble getting my previous gp to send history to my current gp (my vet could do better in this field!)

MsPurple · ‎11-10-2017

HI Psedudomona

I have had to move GP clinics too many times to count. I moved from my home town when I was 19. Then I went to some of the uni doctors, then I went to one near my mums house that bulk billed and one that didn't (only went to the one that didn't because I had a horrible throat infection and needed an emergancy app), then I moved states and went to another bulk billing GP but went to different ones every time (didn't like any of them but one but she was always booked), then headspace, then moved back to melbourne in a different suburb, then to brisbane, found a bulk bill but didn't feel comfortable and now I found one closer to home but not bulk bill so maybe looking for another non bulk bill one (maybe for script renewal etc). SO I have been to a lot

Now when I have gone I just tell them my past history. (Although I do have some paperwork, I don't usually bring it all in, they can only contact your last medical centre for you records if you concent) Usually for first appointments to see a GP they usually give you a long app. I go in there and they ask me why I'm there. I just say 'I need to find a new GP' they sometimes do the standard checks like bp and weight (for me not bp as I am only 26). They then ask for my history. I tell them I had bell's palsy in 2014 and all other relevant to physical health. I then say my mental health history (EDNOS,and my recent diagnosis of GAD) I say I have been to headspace etc. For you here you can say, 'I am having anxiety and it is getting persistently worse and I feel like my previous GP didn't help me with management and I need someone to help me manage it as it is getting worse and I don't think I can go on like this without help'. You can say you don't have an official diagnosis (before my diagnosis when I went to headspace to get evaluated I just said, I don't think I have been diagnosed because in the past I couldn't handle the idea of it being official, but not I am getting really unwell and I would rather get better and know what is happening then continue to stick my head in the sand). This maybe something you could say as well because it is probably true. Maybe let them know you have been seeing a counsellor but you think you need to see someone more professional as they are suggesting all these natural non-scientific strategies that you are concerned about.

I hope this helps. Trust me you will find the right GP.

see this video about getting help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv19Sd9dS38

Pseudomonas · ‎25-10-2017

Thanks so much, MsPurple, for sharing your story & tips. I hope you are with professionals you trust. I am sorry it took me time to reply- I was trapped in my mood swing and not wanting to do anything...until my friend got me focused and motivated to work on a non-work-related household project!

I am seeing a clinical psych today so likely more updates from me later 🙂 it's my choice of psych this time so hopefully I did my homework right. Otherwise I'll turn up to new GP with your tips this week! Thanks again!

MsPurple · ‎27-10-2017

Glad I could help.

How did the psych go?

Pseudomonas · ‎27-10-2017

Thanks for asking, MsPurple. Psych appeared experienced (seemed to hit the nail on the head a few times in an hour), but getting a second appointment was not easy, got one a month later and went on waiting list for anything sooner. So I'm rather on my own this month to handle new job and a persistently toxic ex-best friend (rich girl, had to run errands throughout the entire year weekly for her and the chore list keeps extending)