A bit of a let-down (again)

So, I have had another interesting morning with my local Crisis Team.

I eventually phoned them (under parental duress relating to Dad's general stress about leaving on time) at 10:45. I was rewarded by a lecture from a nurse about the fact that, "we had 22 people to phone this morning so you can't really expect us to phone at exactly 9". I did try to explain that ordinarily I wouldn't mind but I was specifically told to expect a phone call before 10 for a good reason. Anyway, apparently the nurse I saw was all talk. There was no note that the team psychiatrist should see me, nor one suggesting that anyone make an appointment with me or call in the near future at all.

Once she had calmed down, the nurse on the phone was very nice and arranged an appointment for me on Friday at 11 so that I don't have to hang around waiting for any more phone calls. She acknowledged (without me having to say so) that I have obviously been badly let down by the team as a whole and apologised.

So I'm pretty angry about the whole thing and beginning to wonder if continued contact with this team is making my day-to-day low moods worse than they would be if I'd never seen a doctor last week.

We're in the car on the way to the funeral, so I can't do anything more until Friday. Have to look after the family now.

Another appointment

Not sure that appointment went very well. The nurse I saw didn't seem to want to be there and the whole thing only took twenty minutes. He didn't ask if I'm still suicidal (I am) or if I have any plans (I do) but did say that he thinks I should see the team psychiatrist. Apparently she isn't in until Wednesday. I have to go to the other side of the country on Wednesday afternoon for a funeral on Thursday morning but this time I managed to arrange a concrete time. Someone will phone between 9 and 10 and try to see me before midday.

Progress.

Just got a call

The Crisis Team just phoned to tell me that they're worried about me, because I didn't call. I'd never agreed to call, that wasn't the arrangement. I waited for them to call on Christmas Eve., as arranged, and they didn't. Then I waited for them to call on Christmas Day, as arranged, and they didn't. Then I waited for them to call and give me an appointment on Boxing Day, as arranged, and they didn't. So I was a little surprised that I am suddenly told I've worried them by not phoning.

I'm going down later today. Clean start, and all that. I would have said no except that, if anything, I'm feeling a whole lot worse than I was even on the 22nd so I think I need the support.

Another day, another psychiatrist

One of the reasons that the people at UCH let me go on Saturday morning was that I had a long-standing appointment with a psychiatrist in Islington today. She was good, but seemed to be a little surprised that I only saw a psychiatric nurse and had no contact with a crisis team.

So, within two hours of being at work I had messages from the local crisis team and my GP arranging appointments. I guess it's a good thing but it looks like I'll be spending tomorrow with the crisis team and Thursday with my GP and I don't actually know how I'll square it with work...