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Stanley Dobson
This page contains the messages and stories received from others about mental health services in Tayside.
“(1) depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood. (2) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others) (3) significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains. (4) insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day (5) psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down) (6) fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day (7) feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick) (8) diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others) (9) recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide (DSM-IV p 327) For the “diagnosis” to be made, the “symptoms” must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other areas of functioning.” What is interesting is, the symptoms described above are very likely to be found in the bereaved. The DSM did contain a time scale to allow for the natural grieving process BEFORE mental health diagnosis was made and treatment (antidepressants) were prescribed. Now you’ll notice I said the DSM DID allow for this `time period` however, this was removed in 2015. The version used in the UK, the ICD has never contained a `bereavement exclusion!` Shortly after Lee’s death both Lesley and myself were both prescribed antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs- Trazodone, Quetiapine and Mirtazapine, powerful stuff indeed, however, as UK GP’s DO NOT take into account `bereavement exclusion` both Lesley and I were diagnosed with mental health issues two weeks after the death of our son!! Both our GP’s were fully aware of the context of our situation, yet they proceeded to offer us drugs specifically aimed toward patients with clinical depression and who display psychotic behaviour. Fortunately neither of us took the respective drugs for any length of time, however, the most alarming aspect of this is the misdiagnoses and the fait accompli on the GP’s terms. The question we must ask then is why. Why are GP’s, after a 15 minute consultation, so readily prepared to issue such powerful drugs? Is it a lack of training, it is fear, that if they are not seen to do SOMETHING, then they have failed in their duty of care? Or is it something more insidious, where the giant pharmaceutical companies are making millions if not billions of pounds/dollars on the back of human suffering?
This message came via the contact page – 28/11/17
Fiona
Julie Garnett 22/11/17
This message came via the form on the Contact page today (16.10.17)
Via Phil Welsh on Facebook.
Lee was unfortunately one of the many young men who felt talking openly about his mental state carried a stigma, a label which he felt he wanted no part of. This is the entire point of our recent campaign. Young people must be educated from an early age that their mental well being and the ability to discuss it, is imperative.
An individuals mental health must be acknowledged and explored fully by our general practitioners in the same way they would with a patient concerned about a heart condition or indeed worried about the threat of cancer.
Mental health MUST become an accepted condition by our GP’s. How this is achieved is for the NGO’s, the partners and the charities to educate, but we simply must end the stigma of silence endured by so many of our young folk! Let’s remove the ‘taboo’ of mental health once and for all. I am also optimistic that positive recent dialogue has opened up a possible new avenue re mental health which will hopefully be explored!!
From D.
I was in Sunnyside for a few months and see a number of professionals. I maintain some balance by working obsessively in the garden and walking my dog. My heart goes out to you as well as Lee. plus the many other poor souls. I do my utmost to be compassionate and kind. Thanks
TURMOIL
What is this anger
That rages inside?
That ebbs and flows
Like some monstrous tide
What is this sadness
That descends on me?
This cloud of darkness
That no-one can see
What are these visions
On a constant reel?
That flash through my mind
Are they nightmares or real?
What is this euphoria
That takes over my mind?
Like some twisted metal
That i cannot unwind
Who is this person
That you dont recognise?
This tortured soul
So much turmoil inside
Its me !….I’m in here
I need real support
I’ve tried to seek it
Where is the hope?
We need to fight
For the help that we need
Mental health issues
Are a cry we must heed
© Avril Young 2017
From L.
The hospital feel they cannot stop patients from bringing back in illegal substances after day release and selling it too other patients. I informed the police and the ward was visited. My son has had a diagnosis of psychosis and now changed too suspected schizophrenia. I have been given no evidence of there diagnosis.
I am afraid for my son as I had too report after a visit today that he had been once again given access to illegal drugs in there facility. He has gone back deep into his delusions again and he is still getting unescorted time out the ward.
The place is a shambles with nurses expected to secure, police and look after the needs of the patients which I feel are not being met. I am horrified by what I have witnessed and seen in a place where I thought my son would be safe.
Via the web site contact form 16.09.17
In my early 20s I had left home and had a child of my own.Things came to a head I pleaded with the doctor to meet me at my mums house as I was very worried about her, he met me my mum told him she didn’t want to live anymore, he gave her a letter to take to Liff she said she wouldn’t go cos she had went before and because she wasn’t hearing voices they sent her home.
After he left I got very annoyed with her and told her I’d had enough and she wasn’t helping herself. I was young didn’t understand wasn’t educated in mental health even though me and my brothers had lived our life’s in the shadow of depression no agencies existed all those years ago to offer us support and education. My mum took her own life 5 days later. she was 53 years old.
That was 27 years ago. I don’t know what the answer is, but think there should be more money put in to mental health and support for careers of people living with mental health issues,especially young careers. L F
From D 16/09/17 via contact form
Both times and I’ve heard good and bad things about it, but it was what I needed it made me feel safe, I won’t say on here the name of the psychiatrist on the ward but I’m sure if u have been there u will know who I mean, it became comical me n other patients decided he worked on commission the sooner he got u out the more money he got, I was there for 6 weeks both times and the amount of people who were sent home tht came back in tht time was just stupid, with mental health problems it’s not a quick fix, u can’t just put a plaster on it and it’s all better, I assure u I wish tht was possible.
But now in Arbroath there are no permanent psychiatrists which has bn awhile now, so u go see the locum psychiatrist for 20mins,and they have offered me a new diagnosis and change my meds, you go for your next appointment and guess what it’s a different psychiatrist who wants to do something else, I went into a crisis it took 4 weeks to see somebody, my GP is brilliant and is really supportive even just as a shoulder to cry on, she had phoned Gowanlea 4 times it was only when she put a written complaint in, tht I got to see someone, my partner has bi polar too (yes it can b an interesting house sometimes) one if these fantastic psychiatrists took him off his lithium and low and behold he ended back in hospital, and got back on his lithium but it took me screaming and his mum to get him admitted,surely we are the best people to know if someone us safe or not, something needs to be done, I don’t no why they don’t just open cars view up as a mental health unit like it used to be with cold showers and patients. Rocking back and forward in chairs cause this is how I see it going x
From Anon
via website contact form 06.09.17
via website contact form 06.09.17
via the contact form 04.09.17
via Facebook 04.09.17
via site contact form, 03.09.17
From Eddie via Facebook (30.08.17)
This message came via the form on the Contact page today (28.08.17)
From June via Contact Form (29.08.17)
via site contact form (26.08.17)
This message came via the form on the Contact page today (25.08.17)