Accessing NHS services

[Mushrooms]

Feeling very let down by my GP.  First of all, they sent a letter about a mental health referral to my old address where my ex still resides – even though I had been assured in a previous appointment they had put a block on my old address.   But also, my referral to a psychologist was rejected and no reason was given.  I am experiencing a lot of PTSD symptoms and the talking therapy I’m on the list for is CBT which I don’t get on with and it won’t address or help me understand complex trauma.  I’m at my wits end, feel like no one believes me because I’m being very ‘capable’ but it’s not like I have a choice.  The GP who made the referral didn’t even talk to me, just left a voice message that he’d make the referral, nor or ask me about my symptoms, so I have no idea what he said in the referral.  I’m getting a call back from the GP today.  I’m just so fed up, frustrated and exhausted of having to push at every juncture when I have so much else I’m dealing with – moving out, getting a divorce, holding down my job.  Interested in advice on getting support for complex trauma.  I don’t want to diagnose myself but then again, I can’t seem to get professionals to listen to me.  I’m almost at the point where I am just going to put together my own treatment plan, so hearing what has helped others is helpful to me.

[Lisa]

Hi Mushrooms,

I’m so sorry that you’ve been repeatedly let down by your GP. It’s not okay that they jeopardised your safety and privacy by sending a letter to your old address, nor that you’ve not been fully involved in processes around your own care. You do have a right to complain about your treatment and be heard. I know that sometimes that can feel like just another thing that we don’t have the energy to do, and it’s important it’s your choice to decide. There is advocacy support available for the NHS complaints process if you need it. You could contact your local Healthwatch for more on this.

As for accessing support for complex trauma, Mind’s infoline can provide guidance on treatment options. If you are putting together your own plan, you might find the resources on the Bloom website helpful. These are courses and tools that have been designed in partnership between mental health professionals and survivors and are focused on trauma recovery.

Take care and keep posting,
Lisa

[EvenSerpentsShine]

Hi Mushrooms. I have just ordered a book by Lundy Bancroft, (who wrote Why Does He Do That ( which I read, and I’d recommend it, before his follow on book) ) and it’s title is The Joyous Recovery.

I think if you’re wondering whether to take your recovery into your own hands this may be a really useful place to start. I’m only half way through it but I like it so far.
I think I also want to recover without having to wait around for when I can afford counseling, so I’m taking this approach too. I am going to a Freedom course and another group session run by my local dv team and this is really good and helpful.

[EvenSerpentsShine]

P.S. by chance I also picked up a book in a secondhand shop called ‘Comfortable with Uncertainty’ by Pema Chodron. Quite by surprise I found this a very important book for me. She also wrote a book called ‘When things fall apart’ which sounds like it may be worth reading too. I haven’t yet but it’s in my list! This approach is based around her experience of meditation so it slightly has that focus, and I think in fact she was, or maybe is, a nun. But her deep understanding of pain and distress is interesting even if you don’t want to try meditation.

[StrongLife]

Sorry that they sent the letter to ex address. That would have been frightening. Have you thought about changing doctors?

I hope you get the help you need if you have not already.

[Author]

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