Counsellor for complex interwoven physical/mental issues
Discussion
Need some advice all.
Severely depressed relative - in late 60s with multiple health (but unlinked) issues - chronic pain for 25 years (arm) and severe digestion issues for last 5-10 years leaving her with very low quality of life.
Physical issues are being constantly reviewed, new specialists engaged, and are a bit of a side line to the mental health issues where she is borderline suicidal. GP is aware and not quite at the sectioning level, but it is probably close.
GP generally helpful but at limit of NHS resources. Counselling has been tried (NHS) - helpful person but seemingly out of her depth with the complexity of issues.
While we continue to push and escalate via the GP for other specialists (on the physical issues) we also want to look for look in parallel for private options to help and support on the mental health.
Can anyone recommend a web site where we can find specialist counsellors dealing with complex interwoven physical/mental health issues by region? (Dorset..)
Many thanks.
Severely depressed relative - in late 60s with multiple health (but unlinked) issues - chronic pain for 25 years (arm) and severe digestion issues for last 5-10 years leaving her with very low quality of life.
Physical issues are being constantly reviewed, new specialists engaged, and are a bit of a side line to the mental health issues where she is borderline suicidal. GP is aware and not quite at the sectioning level, but it is probably close.
GP generally helpful but at limit of NHS resources. Counselling has been tried (NHS) - helpful person but seemingly out of her depth with the complexity of issues.
While we continue to push and escalate via the GP for other specialists (on the physical issues) we also want to look for look in parallel for private options to help and support on the mental health.
Can anyone recommend a web site where we can find specialist counsellors dealing with complex interwoven physical/mental health issues by region? (Dorset..)
Many thanks.
We have similar with our 17 year old daughter. NHS were useless until she had a real suicide attempt, now they are taking it seriously.
All i can suggest is that you keep pushing for proper access to mental health teams.
Private is circa £90 per hour. You can spend alot of money very quickly.
The whole thing is a bit of a lottery though in terms of finding the right professional.
All i can suggest is that you keep pushing for proper access to mental health teams.
Private is circa £90 per hour. You can spend alot of money very quickly.
The whole thing is a bit of a lottery though in terms of finding the right professional.
blueg33 said:
Private is circa £90 per hour. You can spend alot of money very quickly.
The whole thing is a bit of a lottery though in terms of finding the right professional.
Private costs isn't a major factor. It's more finding the right professional (and for the complexity, in the right region)... London would probably be relatively easy - if I can find the right person in Dorset/South Somerset/East Devon then it might work. The whole thing is a bit of a lottery though in terms of finding the right professional.
It's finding the right professional who can recommend the right professional - a bit like SP&L for specialist lawyer recommendations... but more nuanced given mental health is even vaguer than the law.
We had to use trial and error to locate someone who could deal with the multi layered issues and who could build a rapport with our daughter. Trust between psychiatrist and patient is critical.
I wish I could offer more advice but we found it to be s major struggle and child mental health is better supported.
I wish I could offer more advice but we found it to be s major struggle and child mental health is better supported.
blueg33 said:
We had to use trial and error to locate someone who could deal with the multi layered issues and who could build a rapport with our daughter. Trust between psychiatrist and patient is critical.
I wish I could offer more advice but we found it to be s major struggle and child mental health is better supported.
Thanks blueg33, appreciated - I think the trust element may be as hard (an important) with an entrenched parent as a teenager.I wish I could offer more advice but we found it to be s major struggle and child mental health is better supported.
exploration of the relationship between physical and mental health is probably best dealt with by a Health Psychologist but few and far between. is it possible to divulge a few more clinical details within the boundaries of what you're ok to disclose ?
most pain clinics do have psychology attached, has this been pursued by the GP ?, there is a clear link between chronic pain and a depressed mood. however there is also a clear chronicity of nihilistic thinking/ideation associated with pain - ie, "suicidal" ideation over long periods of time but no intent. these are the themes which would benefit from treatment.
what type of counselling has been undertaken ? - as you rightly comment, a highly specialised field and only now coming into more mainstream services.
paul
most pain clinics do have psychology attached, has this been pursued by the GP ?, there is a clear link between chronic pain and a depressed mood. however there is also a clear chronicity of nihilistic thinking/ideation associated with pain - ie, "suicidal" ideation over long periods of time but no intent. these are the themes which would benefit from treatment.
what type of counselling has been undertaken ? - as you rightly comment, a highly specialised field and only now coming into more mainstream services.
paul
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