Doc sending me to mental health clinic

[Jen3535]

title should read MENTAL.
Blimey just the clinic title scares me, Mental health clinic... Well got a call 2day from the head person, i am going for mental health chat next monday for my anxiety and panic attacks....
Also Thursday I start the quit smoking clinic...

Anyone else been to a mental health clinic? what do they do?

Jen

had a few bad attacks in Ibiza but i am still standing...

[motif]

have you seen "One Flew over the cuckoo's nest"?
;) not to worry, you'll speak with bigger nuts then we are...

[Evilbob333]

(I hope you're UK based or the following may not make sense or apply.)

Don't worry about this at all...a clininc is the name usually used to describe a sessional slot in a health centres timetable dedicated to just one thing. For example you get baby clinincs, stop smoking clinics, diabetes clinic, etc...
The kind of people who go are usually people with mild to moderate mental health issues, i.e. people suffering from depression, anxiety, ocd, bereavement issues, etc... People with more severe mental health problems usually have key workers etc... and aren't usually present at such sessions. I expect you'll have a one to one with a mental health nurse and probably won't even see anyone else, as all patients for that day will have appointments.
If by clinic you mean a building in which specialist mental health teams are based then again its not something to worry about and you'll probably be seen by a community mental health nurse who'll be able to give you more specialized (and probably more accurate) help then your GP would be able to. As you've been referred for your anxiety then don't worry...just because the title is mental health it doesn't mean that you're going insane or anything...meantl health covers a huge spectrum of things from very mild and short term problems to more severe and possibly long term problems but because you've been referred for one thing thats exactly what you'll get treated for.
Personally i think this is a very good thing for you...the people you will be speaking to are experts and deal with these sorts of things everyday and therein often have a better grasp of the issues and problems you face then your GP! I went to see my CMH nurse a while ago and he was a great bloke, very understanding and friendly. The only problems are the huge waiting lists for getting any sort of help. I was put on a waiting list for CBT but the list is nearly 2 years long! I decided to go private!
Please let us know how you get on...and don't worry...this could well be the turning point in your problems! Good luck!

[Jen3535]

No not see cuckoo nest....

[Jen3535]

evilbob, Thanks i feel a bit better about the whole thing. And you are right it may be better than the GP
And its great as i go Monday so not a long wait

Jen
xxxxx

[Carla]

Hi!
How did Ibiza go? Did you manage to have a relaxing holiday? I hope so. From my own personal experience, the Mental Health Clinic is held within your surgery/health centre, just like other clinics, for example the baby clinic. I had my CBT with a counsellor from the Mental Health team,within a part of my doctors surgery. I didnt have to wait too long in the area that I am, - 3 months, which is not long compared to a couple of years in some parts of the country. Try not to be bothered about the Mental Health title - I know it can be a bit alarming due to the stigma of mental health issues that still seem to exist, but it is very common for people to have mental health problems. I know when I first went I thought that I would have pyschiatrists in white coats waiting to sedate me and carry me off to an old victorian asylum somewhere in the middle of nowhere, where I would be left to fester only to be found years later covered in cobwebs in a locked room! lol Thats how anxiety then made me feel at that time! I actually believed that was what was going to happen back then!It cldnt have been any further from how it actually was. I went into a modern relaxed enviroment and was made to feel really comfortable. I asked the counsellor if she saw many people with anxiety and depression and she said that the mental health teams were overwhelmed with how many people they see these days. I instantly felt better because until then I really thought I was alone in how I was. You are doing all the right things in getting help and support and with that you will begin to feel lots better. I am now looking to get CBT privately because it really does help. All the best with your appointment! Good luck with your No Smoking clinic as well!

[Jen3535]

Thanks Carla,

Ibiza was ok, i had one or two bouts of not being able to breath deeply attacks a day but i think that was because the place was boring and my sister did not stop moaning.

I am a bit more relaxed about my meet with the clinic, I think i am still in denial wether its panic, or anxiety I have been for tests and stuff and still believe i have a lung disorder no matter what the doctors say, because every medication they prescribed does not help at all....
Like 2nite i hve been sitting in front of the telly just deep breathing all the time . its wierd

[Obelysk]

I know what you mean, that happens to me sometimes where I can't seem to breath. It feels like you are sophisticating you are not, one day it hit me to the point that I started to hyperventilate and my friend had to call an ambulance. :cry: Its really sucks, but I hope that you get better good luck to you in the clinic. :D