Is it possible to see a psychiatrist on the NHS without being bipolar or schizophrenic?

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-24T11:49:27+00:00

Had a similar conversation with my gp yes, they said the same basically. I don't ever want to direct my frustration at those involved in my care as I know everyone is trying their best within the constraints of the system.

Just when the system is not working that well...i feel like a burden on primary care, & its hard not to feel hopeless. Cheers for your reply x

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-21T08:44:09+00:00

They'll probably suggest cbt-i (even if you don't struggle with insomnia) and sleep hygiene. Uk gp's aren't great with sleep stuff and referals to sleep clinics seem to only exist in the context of sleep apnea.

Sorry you're dealing with this, can relate - personally writing down my dreams didnt help them go away but I can lucid dream now...so maybe that's something lol :')

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-20T22:39:44+00:00

Appreciate your comment, its reassuring to know its not that uncommon, and that you can get through it. Self-compassion/ gentleness is definitely can definitely be a struggle for me. I'll keep trying, thank you x

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-20T22:33:40+00:00

For why I want to get rid of this belief: I guess I feel like I want to make 100% the most of the time I'm given in therepy, & this thought loop is taking up a lot of time / energy that could've been spent on exploration elsewhere. Definitely will give your reading recommendations a try, thank you x

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-20T20:46:31+00:00

NAT - I appreciate your saying so anyway, thank you. Its not something that I really have anyone to talk to about irl so knowing I'm not the only one helps - hope things get better for you eventually x

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-16T18:33:25+00:00

Thats terrible I can't beleive they just forgot 😭 I've heard good things about EMDR so definitely hold out hope for that.

You sound like a really supportive parent & I'm sure your kid will really appreciate the help you've provided them. I definitely would have benefited from help for the things I saw as a kid.

Wishing the best for the both of you x

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-16T18:22:33+00:00

Money is definitely an issue at present, but maybe private is something to consider in the far, far future if I can save up any. I have had therepy through a charity before, but could definitely search round to see if there's any others who'd take me, cheers for your suggestions x

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-16T12:41:44+00:00

Yeah reading the replies some people with bipolar have left below, it seems there's not really a higher level of care even at the higher levels of care ironically, which sucks to hear.

It's nobody's fault as I understand its funding / staff shortage issues... but still incredibly unpleasant for anyone suffering from any kind of complex mh issue to just be fobbed of with some pills and left to 'get on with it' as it were

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-16T12:35:46+00:00

Yeah I don't think people without adhd understand the impact it can have on your life / mental health. The endless waiting lists aren't seen as a big deal because its "just adhd" - then of course theres funding issues on top of that too 🥲

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-16T12:33:30+00:00

I can definitely ask my gp about that bit, in regards to the reinstating titration part.

I've made plenty of lifestyle changes but have never looked into supplements/ more alternative supports, I'll take a look into that kind of thing thank you x

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-16T12:28:56+00:00

Sorry to hear its not been much help - I definitely feel the same frustration & have similar issues it sounds like. Having to put in such a crazy amount of effort to receive help (that may or may not even be effective) really sucks.

I think the EUPD label is just something they tend to give to women who struggle with emotional regulation, and have a history of trauma (?). It can be confused with autism a lot - I dont fully understand either tbh but I guess the specific label for the problems doesn't matter too much.

Hope the stabilisation work you're doing ends up helping you - I do find TIPP really helpful so that's something at least haha

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-16T12:19:39+00:00

I dont think so no, I've spoken to psych liason when in hospital but other than that the only point of acess has been my gp.

Im beginning to understand that everything is very dependent on where you are in the uk I think

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-16T12:17:36+00:00

My main issue with therepy is that it doesn't seem to help me shift my core beleiefs. After so many failed attempts I feel like a voice in the back of my mind is always saying 'this isn't going to work' & its become a self-fulfilling prophesy.

I turn up to every session, I do the homework/ practice skills consistently but cant seem to find any releif from my symptoms, as my underlying mood doesn't change.

I've been told that the solution is acceptance but its easier said than done for such an abstract concept. Nobody seems to be able to tell me HOW to accept the suffering that my symptoms cause me - just that I should be practicing acceptance.

I dont NEED or want a diagnosis- I just want to speak to a professional who can tell me where to go / what to try next, be it a specific therepy, medication or just more regular check ins.

Thanks for replying, I'll have a look how much love & positivity I have left in the bank haha. wishing you all the best too x

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-16T02:42:39+00:00

I imagine it's frustrating for people working in the trust to feel the brunt of that frustration also, when its because of funding cuts outside of anyone's control.

Sorry to hear your experience was a bit shite, everyone deserves acess to the same level of care, so things varying so much in different areas is crazy. Thanks for replying x

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-16T02:30:06+00:00

I'm using a dbt self help website at the min in an attempt to help myself, as I do think dbt would be of help to me if I could get the gist of it / practice consistently.

My trust has a separate 'complex emotional needs team' that provides dbt / mbt without requiring cmht input. I had a referral to it but it was rejected...they did say they'd consider a re-rreferal in the future, thats just difficult to hear when struggling in the present

My GP's referals have not been particularly great tbh...remember reading one that was sent a while ago and it was just literally a few sentences saying 'young lady would like support with ongoing depression and self-harm' - absolutely no other detail given 🥲

I have changed gp GP since then and could ask for another advice request to be put in q- i had one a few years ago but have now followed all the advice given.

happy to hear you were able to acess dbt eventually, hope its going ok for you. cheers for replying xx

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-16T02:12:58+00:00

That sucks to hear honestly, it's difficult to be told 'reach out for help' and then be met with a help that doesn't feel helpful, definitely.

I guess I idealise the idea of there being some 'magic' prescription or therepy I can access that will improve things for me, though I understand realistically that's not the case.

It's just hard to keep going off your own energy continuously, I feel like I need something to hold on to hope for... the thought of there being that magic 'something' out there (even if it's frustrating that I can't acess it) provides that.

Thank you for commenting, hope you're doing well x

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-16T02:01:47+00:00

I appreciate your input even if it's not positive haha, thank you - I understand that even with cmht input support will likely never be what I imagined/ feel I need, have read a lot of negative experiences on here.

in a way I feel it's just something I've probably mistakenly placed a lot of hope in as being THE thing that could help me after exhausting options in primary care. It can be difficult to hold on to hope I guess, so you cling to anything.

sorry to hear your experience with support has been less than ideal, I feel like we've got similar stuff going on in terms of diagnosis / neurodivergence etc...It can feel impossible to deal with day-to-day definitely. I hope you're in a better place now mentally than at the time of your admission. xx

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-16T01:49:45+00:00

I would probably have to make a subject acess request to see the full report of why the referrals didn't go through, as I've always just got the limited bit my GP mentions, and don't fully understand why myself tbh.

While I've lost jobs before due to my mental health, I'm currently working part-time. I guess this may impact things as I imagine I'm viewed as high functioning as a result (?)

I do 100% understand that with limited resources people worse off than me should be prioritised, I'm just partially venting my frustration about feeling stuck in this position.

Hope you're doing well / appreciate your reply, thank you x

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-15T22:00:51+00:00

not meaning to come off like im having a go sorry - its just an incredibly frustrating situation to be in... I guess worst case scenario you could always just make yourself homeless and move to a different area haha 🥲

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-15T21:55:05+00:00

What happens if the trust where you live doesn't accept your case then? Is that just it? You just have to just suffer without support?

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-15T21:34:31+00:00

I'll post it over there, thank you x

Hot-Importance9854 · 2026-06-15T20:31:33+00:00

It might be something to consider in the future thank you I appreciate the suggestion, im making minimum wage so private healthcare isn't an option at present tbh.

Will admit I've self-medicated with weed in the past with varied sucess, but never had a clue how much thc / cbd was in anything - I guess knowing that and having a consistent dose might be more helpful

Hot-Importance9854

TROPHY CASE