"My experience with my partner and HTT"

My partner was in crisis, having recently been diagnosed with bipolar and getting used to new and strong medication. He was angry at the world and not aware of how unwell he was.

I called Bromley HTT and told them I was really worried. He was due to attend an appointment and had fallen asleep and got lost. The person on the phone was helpful and offered to call him. I explained that he mustn't know I've called them or I would become "public enemy no.1".

The following day, I attended the hospital with him to see the consultant. As we walked down the corridor someone said asked and confirmed my name. My partner looked at me strangely. Then in the appointment, the consultant then disclosed to him I was very worried about him. That wasn't particularly useful. 

The consultant was horrible. They were condescending. Didn't listen. I tried to explain that he was really struggling with mood since starting the medication and it scared me. They disregarded my concerns completely and said this medication doesn't do that. I explained that rage is listed in the side effects, again they shook their head. Their suggestion, increase the dose. No discussion around our concerns or managing the titration.

They put words in his mouth in order to get the narrative to fit what they already thought. Consultant asked if he feels rage, he said yes - their immediate next question assumed he had been violent which he is not. The two are not the same and it's distressing to be told that you are.

Then they said he doesn't have bipolar but EUPD. (Within 5 minutes of meeting him and having never met him before medication). And if they had done it would be clear as day that he doesn't have EUPD. My partner became upset and said he wanted to leave. The consultant replied by asking if they shall discharge him then? He said he can't make that decision now while he feels like this. The consultant stood in front of the door and tried to make him make a decision on discharge then and there. We both had to ask to leave repeatedly. 

We both left in tears feeling worse then when we went in. Thankfully he's now managed by a different Trust.