"The doctor didn't agree with my diagnosis"

I recently stayed in carseview mulberry unit, this was due to be short term, due to a crisis brought on by lots of stressors.

This was not the first time I had been admitted and many of the staff are very compassionate despite being overworked and often not able to spend the time They would like with patients due to not enough staff to complete all tasks.

I had a trusting relationship with my named nurse and I appreciated the fact she would often finish late just to check in.

I saw the dr twice. I had recently been given a diagnosis in the community after 2 years of very wobbly mental health (no services before then) I had been in 4 days when I met with a Doctor  who told me they didn’t agree with my diagnosis and that I was voluntarily and could leave that night.

I was shocked and devastated that just as I had got my head round a diagnosis and started medication and had hope that I could have some control over helping myself, that this was dismissed by this doctor. The diagnosis was made by community psychiatrist and agreed by my cpn. I was then questioned By the doctor why I was upset about it and asked if I wanted to leave that night.

I felt unvalued, not listened to, this member of staff had no consideration to the impact their assessment could have on me and then to be told I could leave this evening or tomorrow.

I am so shocked, it feels unbelievable that someone who I had met twice could decide that 2 years of assessment leading to a diagnosis could disagree and send me home.

The nurses disagreed about my discharge and shared concerns with the doctor who said I had to go. (I was feeling worse after seeing him)

I am now at home with my family feeling more unsafe and confused and devalued as I ever have.

I work in mental health with young people and I can’t believe how I have been treated. No discharge plan (cpn who is amazing is on holiday) I have been forced to leave back to being a mum and full on life with no planning, warning or conversation.

The nurses didn’t think I should leave without planning, day pass and support but their voice was also not heard.

I feel sad, not just for me but if this happens to other people and the impact it can have.

Right now I feel hopeless, I don’t feel able to seek help from crisis team etc and feel more unsafe and lost hope in a system that although wasn’t perfect it did what it said on the tin!

I am an advocate for others and feel so powerless and isolated and unheard and the damage I feel it’s done has left me feeling I have no more options leaving me feeling alone and hopeless.

I have spent 20 years working with young people both therapeutically and as an advocate and hope no one else ever feels how I do now. Very very basic people skills, compassion, and understanding were not present and this makes me worried for anyone else in this position.