Mental health assessment

JackReacher1980

Hi folks. I've an appointment for a mental health assessment in the Dean Clinic in a couple of weeks. Going to cost a lot of money, just wondering if anyone had any experience of such a thing? Thanks

LegacyUser

Hi, The Dean Clinics are part of St Patricks University Hospital and it is there community service. My son attended the adolescent service and i am very impressed with the care. We had access to day programmes, CBT and even inpatient care if required.

Very professional team who cured my son. Yes it is expensive and cost alot of money all in all, but totally worth every penny. I couldnt reccommend it more, by your username i take it your over 18 and will be seeing a different team but if Dr Buckleys team is anything to go by your in good hands.

Best of luck!

nesf

I didn't attend the Dean Clinic but have had experience with St. Pats itself and honestly I couldn't say enough good things about the place.

With regard to the overall question. If you are having mental health issues something like this is a very good idea. Having your problem diagnosed early (and correctly) is a very important part of getting the help you need. If you can afford it, it's worth every penny in my opinion.

JackReacher1980

Thanks everyone for the replies. I've been having problems on and off for years, with only about 4 years medication free in ten. Strangley, I'll have inpatient cover, but only minimal outpatient cover, as far as I know. But, having had these problems, and only ever been to see a GP (although did try counselling), I'm kinda looking for a specialist diagnosis. Am sick of people telling me to "snap out of it". Even my boyfriend, with a history of depression himself, has the same attitude (if I can fix myself, then so can you). And really, I am trying! As if anyone likes feeling miserable all the time!

nesf

JackReacher1980 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the replies. I've been having problems on and off for years, with only about 4 years medication free in ten. Strangley, I'll have inpatient cover, but only minimal outpatient cover, as far as I know. But, having had these problems, and only ever been to see a GP (although did try counselling), I'm kinda looking for a specialist diagnosis. Am sick of people telling me to "snap out of it". Even my boyfriend, with a history of depression himself, has the same attitude (if I can fix myself, then so can you). And really, I am trying! As if anyone likes feeling miserable all the time!

I know the feeling! Have not had a single medication free year in the past decade or thereabouts. Seriously, you're doing exactly the right thing by escalating this from GP to Psychiatrist. I spent years in the doldrums making very little progress on meds until I got a referral up to St. Pats to see a specialist psychiatrist after which I started making real progress and I'm from Cork which gives you an idea of how nasty a round trip making appointments is!

LegacyUser

was there for a good long stint myself - i had a brill doc - doubt i am allowed to name him here but he is well known in the field. He totally helped get me on the path to good health.. Best of luck!

pauljmr

JackReacher1980 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the replies. I've been having problems on and off for years, with only about 4 years medication free in ten. Strangley, I'll have inpatient cover, but only minimal outpatient cover, as far as I know. But, having had these problems, and only ever been to see a GP (although did try counselling), I'm kinda looking for a specialist diagnosis. Am sick of people telling me to "snap out of it". Even my boyfriend, with a history of depression himself, has the same attitude (if I can fix myself, then so can you). And really, I am trying! As if anyone likes feeling miserable all the time!

hi,,,i have had the doldrums feeling for years x,mass is the worst for me i hate it but keep trying to pretend im ok..

nesf

pauljmr wrote: »

hi,,,i have had the doldrums feeling for years x,mass is the worst for me i hate it but keep trying to pretend im ok..

Yeah, try having two young kids to keep happy and enthusiastic over Christmas and birthdays while depressed/manic.

JackReacher1980

Thanks folks. Really concerned about the money it will cost, but sure, I spent 5700 to get my teeth straightened! Kinda worried that they will find something more wrong with me than I have been led to believe (depression/ anxiety), but suppose its better found out eh?
Glad to hear some success stories. My boyfriend asked me today if I'm going to be like this for the rest of my life!

nesf

JackReacher1980 wrote: »

Thanks folks. Really concerned about the money it will cost, but sure, I spent 5700 to get my teeth straightened! Kinda worried that they will find something more wrong with me than I have been led to believe (depression/ anxiety), but suppose its better found out eh?
Glad to hear some success stories. My boyfriend asked me today if I'm going to be like this for the rest of my life!

Depression/anxiety can be a bitch. I've bipolar + anxiety and without the right meds at the right doses I'm a complete mess. With the right meds I still have a lot of problems (sleep + concentration + some psychosis) but I'm doing far better. Compared to 6 or 7 years ago, my life is superb tbh.

The thing is you really need to have a specialist rather than a GP looking after you if your condition is anything unusual or unresponsive to meds. How much is it out of curiosity?

Jane123

Don't know about the Dean Clinic but was recently in St. Pat's for one month.

Not sure about others but it certainly didn't work for me. I saw professionals (pyschologists, occ. therapists etc.) for a total of 10hrs over four weeks.

My GP sent me in as I have depression and am engaging in risky behaviour which could harm both myself and others. While in hospital, I spent a fortune on calls to my therapist on the outside and to the Samaritans as the majority of the nurses had no interest in me. The pyschiatrist wouldn't give appointments so you were literally at his beck and call if you wanted to see him. I had way too much time doing nothing to think about my problems and magnifying them. Everytime I got frustrated with not seeing anyone or being able to discuss how I was feeling, I was offered a few tablets to relax me (that's presuming I could find a nurse who would listen to me!)

All the work which I had done over the last year with my therapist and my GP was rubbished - I was told that if what they were doing was right then I wouldn't be in here!

In hindsight I should have walked out and taken my chances that my GP wouldn't have sectioned me. I am more messed up now after my little holiday inside! God help my therapist when I return for my sessions (at least she honours every appointment that I make!!) There are a few good people in St. Pats but the bad ones outweigh the good.

Everyone has to make up their own mind regarding how they treat whatever illness they have......for me St. Pat's wasn't it and I will not go back there no matter how bad things are or may become.

Haven't got the bill yet but I was told that the average cost is €600 per day. It's the most expensive B+B that I've ever been in! The VHI would have been better off sending me on holiday with that money!

Anyway, there's alot to be said for a good therapist and the Samaritans!!!

JackReacher1980

It costs €475 for the assessment. It includes psychiatrist, psychologist, therapists etc., to assess you for two and a half hours. Subsequent visits, if needed, are 150. I get some back from VHI, and if it works, it will be worth it. Strangely, everything would be free if I was an in-patient!
If it works out too expensive after a while, I'll ask to be referred to the public system, although my sister doesnt have good things to say about that route.

LegacyUser

Jane123 wrote: »

Don't know about the Dean Clinic but was recently in St. Pat's for one month.

Not sure about others but it certainly didn't work for me. I saw professionals (pyschologists, occ. therapists etc.) for a total of 10hrs over four weeks.

My GP sent me in as I have depression and am engaging in risky behaviour which could harm both myself and others. While in hospital, I spent a fortune on calls to my therapist on the outside and to the Samaritans as the majority of the nurses had no interest in me. The pyschiatrist wouldn't give appointments so you were literally at his beck and call if you wanted to see him. I had way too much time doing nothing to think about my problems and magnifying them. Everytime I got frustrated with not seeing anyone or being able to discuss how I was feeling, I was offered a few tablets to relax me (that's presuming I could find a nurse who would listen to me!)

All the work which I had done over the last year with my therapist and my GP was rubbished - I was told that if what they were doing was right then I wouldn't be in here!

In hindsight I should have walked out and taken my chances that my GP wouldn't have sectioned me. I am more messed up now after my little holiday inside! God help my therapist when I return for my sessions (at least she honours every appointment that I make!!) There are a few good people in St. Pats but the bad ones outweigh the good.

Everyone has to make up their own mind regarding how they treat whatever illness they have......for me St. Pat's wasn't it and I will not go back there no matter how bad things are or may become.

Haven't got the bill yet but I was told that the average cost is €600 per day. It's the most expensive B+B that I've ever been in! The VHI would have been better off sending me on holiday with that money!

Anyway, there's alot to be said for a good therapist and the Samaritans!!!

I am sorry to hear that you had a poor experience at st. pats..

i was there for 5 months and I can safely say I would not be here now if it was not for the doc and psychologist I had there..
thats my experience... and I was with BUPA at the time and then got sponsored by the HSE for the rest of my stay when my insurance ran out

JackReacher1980

Thanks to everyone who posted. Had my assessment, it was fine, not entirely sure it was worth all the money, but there is talk of me attending an anxiety clinic in the future. Anyway, nice to know a psychiatrist agrees with the diagnosis I've been given (depression and anxiety). Subsequently though, I've decided to change my medication, with the assistance of my GP, as I feel that these ones dont agree with me. Gonna be a couple of weeks of hell, but hey, hopefully will feel better in the long run. Have to go back to the Dean Clinic again in 6 weeks

SerialComplaint

JackReacher1980 wrote: »

It costs €475 for the assessment. It includes psychiatrist, psychologist, therapists etc., to assess you for two and a half hours. Subsequent visits, if needed, are 150. I get some back from VHI, and if it works, it will be worth it. Strangely, everything would be free if I was an in-patient!

Thanks for the update. Hope you're doing OK.

Is the €150 for subsequent counselling or therapy visits? How much of this do you get back from VHI?

JackReacher1980

I think its about 25, so not too much. I followed up with one session in the Clinic, but couldnt afford any more, and really wasnt that gone on it. Am now trying CBT, and have only one day left on anti-depressants - with doctor's agreement. Feel ok, if a little more panicked sometimes, but I do have a very highly stressed job.

SerialComplaint

Thanks for the clarification, and good to hear that you're feeling OK.

Do you mind if I ask if you found any cost-effective provider of CBT? Or one covered by insurance?

JackReacher1980

I'm not sure what you mean by cost-effective? Do I feel like I'm getting value for money, yes, but you only get out what you put in, and I find that difficult sometimes, as I am quite a lazy person!

And sorry, the 150 is for whatever you require - in my case, to see the psychiatrist, as I chose not to try the counselling route again, after 2 fairly unsuccessful years.

Again, it depends on your health insurance, but unfortunately, most of them are willing to cough up if ur an in-patient, but not so much for out-patient stuff

SerialComplaint

JackReacher1980 wrote: »

I'm not sure what you mean by cost-effective? Do I feel like I'm getting value for money, yes, but you only get out what you put in, and I find that difficult sometimes, as I am quite a lazy person!

Hope you don't feel like I'm prying - would you mind if I ask what you are paying for each session of CBT?

JackReacher1980

Its 80 euro a session, so not cheap. I go every 2/3 weeks, so its not too bad, and I have little projects to do in the meantime

SerialComplaint

JackReacher1980 wrote: »

Its 80 euro a session, so not cheap. I go every 2/3 weeks, so its not too bad, and I have little projects to do in the meantime

Thanks for the clarification. Do you get anything back on insurance for this?