Comments on: Divided They Stand: How The NHS And Private Sector Cannot Work In Tandem

By: Alison

Alison — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:24:57 +0000

Although only being in hospital for three weeks I too experienced the NHS and Priory not being able to work together and was told numerous times by nursing staff I should be seeing my private consultant when I was an inpatient, however my priory consultant did talk to the NHS consultant and they have agreed to work together and forward copies of correspondence so hopefully it will run smoothly… **fingers crossed** I guess for yourself Ruth and others in the priory as inpatients it becomes more complicated…

As for the diagnosis issues it must be so frustrating to be told one thing from someone and something else from someone else… my priory consultant agrees with my BPD diagnosis and I don’t doubt it and never have but I also realise from day one she’s been swaying towards a Bipolar diagnosis which I’ve suspected for years myself and there is a strong family history but the NHS refuse to see my mood swings as hyper enough for Bipolar II, in fact they seem to be completely blind to half the things I do when I am Hypomanic but since the Priory consultant is happily trying out mood stabilisers the NHS can kiss my ass about a correct diagnosis.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:05:42 +0000

Intothesystem – my psych’s main speciality is addictions, with a sub-speciality is affective disorders. I think this is why he was allocated as my psych when I was admitted. I think Allison just doesn’t want to be proved wrong as she was so convinced I was BPD from the moment I met her.
The NHS/Priory working relationship is shocking. I saw my GP this morning who didn’t want to give me a prescription as I see Dr Mc later, she told me that he could fax the meds across and she’d issue a prescription… and if that works I’ve suddenly moved to Outer Mongolia!

Emma – I’m being treated for bipolar as well and all my notes on the GP’s computer and at the Priory clearly state that it is my diagnosis. As I have mentioned in this post, I am actually not sure what use Allison serves, but keep seeing her as I feel it is the “right” thing to do.

Hannah – thank you. The feelings are creeping in again but I’m still managing to resist.

Amy – it’s the days where I haven’t done it that are keeping me from doing it at the moment!
It’s stange to read that someone actually likes reading my blog, I’d never thought of people getting enjoyment from it. I hope you feel less surreal today.

Seaneen – personally I think they’re total bullshit as well, but my psych seems to think they are there and as long as he thinks that they will be written down and inevitably misinterpreted by my CPN.
Sorry to hear you’re struggling on the self-harm front, hope it gets easier soon.

By: Pole to Polar: The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive

Pole to Polar: The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:05:44 +0000

I got the traits thing too, but it was eventually scrapped as Bullshit.

Very well done on the self harm, lady! Been struggling with that one myself recently xx

By: ScienceGirl

ScienceGirl — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:17:52 +0000

Hey, Im glad you havent harmed, I agree with eccedentesiast, one time I used to literally rip myself to pieces, then came a day that I just didn’t feel the need to do it anymore. Recently I have harmed and I feel awful for it, but those days I didn’t harm still count, just like it you relapse, you still have these days to think of.

I like reading your blog, mostly to see how you get on with your CPN and how she helps. I have a CPN and I see her every few days, and have done for ages, I don’t know why I see her so often and I don’t know exactly what she is doing to help me, most days it feels like nothing at all. When I ask to be discharged, she doesn’t really listen and I feel like she just wants to keep me on her caseload, but I am not sure why.

Anyway, sorry for rambling, and I apologise for not making ANY sense, I am feeling a bit surreal, don’t know if it’s the meds or dissasociation, as the CPN said.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:34:39 +0000

Well done for not selfharming and the fact that you don’t even want to selfharm is really good. I hope the feeling lasts.

By: eccedentesiast

eccedentesiast — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:49:18 +0000

Well done on the self harm front. For me there just came a point when I didn’t feel I needed it anymore despite being stuck in a severe depressive episode. Things are odd like that.
I’m still in the middle of a diagnosis battle myself. The private psych, my NHS CPN and my GP agree with the bipolar whilst my NHS psych changes her mind with each session. Even so I’m being treated for it. Luckily I won’t be seeing her for 2 months for obv reasons.

The venlafaxine I’m not sure about. I don’t know if my appetite has buggered off because food isn’t for hunger at the moment. I’m not motivated by it at all and there are the vicious and continuing side effects I’m having to contend with. I do see why it’s favourable though and I’d probably like it if it didn’t mess my body up so much.

Anyway, I’ve rambled sorry. I hope your mood doesn’t slip too much. Definitely a good idea to try and catch it early on with some treatment. Look after yourself you x

By: intothesystem

intothesystem — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 11:39:34 +0000

*hugs* I know how it feels. The NHS and Priory just don’t seem to be able to work together and I find it so difficult. My funding expires in a couple of weeks and the NHS still aren’t talking to The Priory. It feels like I’m just going to slip between the two in the end.

As for the battles about your diagnosis I understand your confusion. Sounds like a nightmare. I think my consultant and GP still have doubts about my bipolar diagnosis too. I was given the diagnosis by a bipolar specialist who had been asked by my consultant to give a second opinion, but I’m still not sure they’re convinced by it.

I hope your mood doesn’t continue to slide. I hope you can get back on that even keel.

Take care, x