Will my information be kept confidential?
GPs have strict guidelines on confidentiality and information sharing which means they are not allowed to give information about you to third parties without your direct consent.
This means they will not give information to your partner, children or parents as well as your employer or other organizations. If information was shared without your permission, you could potentially take legal action against the GP or doctor.
Guidelines (General Medical Council’s Confidentiality Guidelines, 2009) state that your close relatives can provide information to GPs about you (for example, inform them about your mental health) and the GP could then use this information to inform your treatment and diagnosis. Professionals helping you can also share information about your mental health. Your Community Mental Health Team and your GP could also discuss your health.
Do mental health problems affect me working?
If you are a doctor, nurse, teacher or social worker, you may have to go through fitness to practice tests. If you are studying one of these professions you may need to as well. This is looked at when working in these professions and also when applying for courses to study in these areas.
If you tell your employer, college or university that you have a mental health problem, then your employer or study provider may ask your permission to contact your doctor. They would do this to get more information about your mental health and check that you are fit to practice. They would usually ask for a letter or report from your doctor. Your doctor would only share this information with your permission because of their duty of confidentiality to you. Having a mental health condition does not mean that you are automatically considered unfit to practice. Telling your employer that you have a mental health problem could protect you from illegal discrimination or lead to you getting extra support if you have a disability under the Equality Act 2010.
What if I have problems getting help?
Although all doctors should be trained to deal with mental health, when you go and see your GP they may not always be very understanding or able to see that you have a problem.
If this happens you should not give up and still try to seek help. You could make an appointment to see a different doctor at the surgery where you are registered who may be more understanding. Or you could speak to your local Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), which is an organisation within the NHS that provides information and support to patients.
You can find your local service using the following link.
If you can’t get help through the GP and feel that your mental health problems are severe, you could try contacting the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) yourself and asking for an assessment. Although many CMHTs will only accept referrals from GPs or social services directly, some accept self referrals.
If you can’t get any help or assessment, then you might find an advocate useful. An advocate can help you to understand the mental health system and help you to be fully involved in decisions about your care. An advocate is independent from mental health services and can help to make your voice heard with problems you may come across. They may be able to help with writing letters for you or attending appointments or meetings.
There may be a local advocacy service in your area who you can contact for support. You can search for a local organisation online.
If you continue to have problems getting an assessment or treatment, you could also consider making a formal complaint.
Can I get help without going to see my doctor?
You do not have to go and see your GP if you don’t want to. You can use self help and get treatment without going to see a GP. If you think you are experiencing anxiety and depression you could try:
•Paying for private therapy or counseling yourself
Many therapists operate a sliding scale of charging for treatment for people on lower incomes. It is a good idea to check if a private therapist is registered with an organization that regulates therapists. This means they have had to meet certain standards.
•Getting a private psychiatrist to prescribe medication
Private psychiatrists can be expensive. If you would like to find a private psychiatrist, your GP might know of a psychiatrist privately. Or you could look in a phone directory or online, or through private healthcare providers such as the Priory or Cygnet. You should check that any private psychiatrist is registered with the General Medical Council (you can check here: http://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/register/LRMP.asp#View).
Self-help tools on the internet include:
http://www.beatingtheblues.co.uk%20– for depression
http://www.fearfighter.com%20– for anxiety
Both are computer based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) packages that are available on the internet. They are available free through the NHS, but can also be purchased privately at a cost of around £400.
You could also try:
Get Self Help: http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/
a free website containing CBT self-help resources
Moodjuice: http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/
a free online self-help resource for a variety of mental health problems and symptoms
Moodscope: http://www.moodscope.com
a free, social networking tool that allows people to monitor their mood and receive support.
Living life to the full: http://www.llttf.com
a free internet self-help resource for a variety of issues.
You might be able to get help from a charity community organisation. Many charities offer therapy or one-to-one support. You could try finding out what is available in your area.
At Rethink Mental Illness we often provide psychological therapy, peer support groups or community services. Find out what is available here.
MIND – also provides local services, some of which provide therapy, support groups and other help. You can search for what is available locally.
Tel: 0300 123 3393
Anxiety UK: – Can help with low cost therapies if you have anxiety (you have to join the organisation).
Tel: 08444 775 774
Moodswings – gives practical support and help to people experiencing mood disorders.
Tel: 0845 1236050
If you are experiencing psychotic symptoms then the NHS may be a more effective route as they can offer more specialist NHS services.
If you have psychosis you might:
•See or hear things that other people do not. Doctors call these hallucinations.
•Believe unusual things. You might believe you are being watched or followed
•Have confused and disturbed thoughts
You may not realise that you are experiencing these symptoms. Doctors or professionals often call this ‘lack of insight’.
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Do drugs and alcohol cause mental health problems?
If you use drugs and/or alcohol regularly, this can cause problems with assessing and treating your mental health. This is because:
•Using alcohol or drugs unwisely can trigger mental illness in some people
•People sometimes use alcohol or drugs to help deal with the symptoms of their conditions. Doctors call this self-medication.
Alcohol or drugs can:
•mask mental health problems
•make medication less effective
•Sometimes cause other symptoms.
If you have a mental health problem in addition to alcohol and/or drug misuse, doctors call this dual diagnosis. You will probably need specialist help and treatment.
If you use alcohol or drugs unwisely you will be more likely to become unwell again. If you regularly use drugs or alcohol and believe that you may have a mental health problem discuss this with your doctor as soon as you can.
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