The NHS have “crisis teams” which you can call/go and see if you are having a crisis.
But what is a crisis?
My doctor once said if things get any worse I should call them.
How are you meant to know whether you should call or not?
I don’t want to waste their time. Even at my lowest points, all I could think was: This is not a crisis. There are people who need the help more than me. I’d just be wasting their time. They would be angry with me for wasting their time. I’m not worth their help anyway. And what could they possibly do to help??
So I didn’t call them.
This all got me thinking, what is a crisis? What are the NHS Crisis teams for?
So I consulted Mind’s website - http://www.mind.org.uk/mental_health_a-z/8038_the_mind_guide_to_crisis_services
And this is what it says about crises:
Mental health crises include:
- suicidal behaviour or intention
- panic attacks/extreme anxiety
- psychotic episodes (loss of sense of reality, hallucinations, hearing voices)
- other behaviour that seems out of control or irrational and that is likely to endanger yourself or others.
And who can help in a crisis?
Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment (CRHT) teams
- usually includes a psychiatrist, mental health nurses, social workers and support workers.
Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) are teams of mental health professionals who support people with ongoing mental health problems living in the community.
~ ~ ~
But this still doesn’t really answer my question: When is a crisis a crisis?!
I’m going to gently say you are in crisis. All those things you’re hearing in your mind are lies of the abuser. Please call you might get some relief. They won’t be mad. xo
I don’t even know who to call. Maybe I will ask on Monday at CBT, they will know right? I think I will be ok until then, and if not I can always get an emergency appointment at the doctors (have done that a couple of times before). Thanks for being there Zoe xx
I hope you don’t think I was telling you what to do, I just thought you might need to hear from someone that it’s okay. lotsa love xo
I know, thanks for being there xxx
anytime xo
I think it is a crisis when you feel you are in crisis. And you don’t have to think the words “I am in crisis” to feel that you are. If you are feeling desperate, if you feel you can’t go on, if you are crying out for help but don’t know where to find it… that is a crisis.
I think if you feel up to it, you have every reason to call them xxx
Thanks Jasmine. I am always worried about wasting people’s time but maybe if I feel really really low again I will try and call. xxx
A crisis is a crisis when you’re too scared to ask for help (for whatever reasons) plus suicidal ideation – and you’re in it (imo). Trying wouldn’t hurt right? They wouldn’t bite you. Safe hugs xxx
Thanks Juliet. I need to find out how I would do this, so am going to try and wait until I see the CBT therapist on Monday and ask her about it. Hugs back xxx
That sounds like a very good idea to me. Take care xoxo
For me crisis is when I can’t sit in my own skin without knowing I may do something unhealthy. Someone once said to me once: “don’t wait till you’re drowning to ask for help; ask for help to swim”. Have you ever used the crisis team before? xox
That is probably a good thing to take into account, I always felt like I couldn’t ask for emergency help unless it was an emergency, but I guess it’s better to prevent the emergency. No I haven’t. I don’t know what they do or where they are or how I would contact them. Do you know about them? (If you don’t mind me asking) xxx
Yes I’ve been in touch with the crisis team many a time – not so much anymore because I am lucky to have daily contact with Cat. It MAY differ between counties, but I doubt it would too much. Here, they are based at the local A&E. You ring up the generic hospital number and ask for “psych liason” or “crisis team” and they put you through to the switch board. They are available at anytime. During the night at least one doctor is on call and one or two social workers/psych nurses/occupational therapists – whatever. They can talk to you on the phone to try and ascertain what will help you at that moment in time, or you can literally go down to A&E and speak to someone face to face. They can prescribe some emergency medication if needed, like one dose of diazepam or a sleeping tablet, if you talk together and believe it may be necessary. Also, if things are assessed as very at risk they can arrange for the “home treatment team” to start contacting you/visiting you on a daily basis. A check in that you are okay, not in immediate danger, that sort of stuff. It is a daunting prospect calling them, especially if you haven’t done so before, because there is no continuity, you never know who is going to be on duty. Does that answer your question about them? xx
Thanks Bourbon. That does answer my question yes, I just didn’t really know much about them. I am going to find out how to contact them here, just in case I need them. Hugs xxx
When I used the crisis team on whatever day it was it was my first time and I was feeling particularly vulnerable, but I’m not sure what prompted my decision, because normally I wouldn’t ask for help and it didn’t feel real anyway. I think it’s because I felt so completely alone.
Perhaps we should call the crisis out for each other? We can;t recognise our own crisis, but we can recognise others, so we can ask each other if it is a crisis team situation or not?? xox
I’m glad you called them though, you said they were helpful right? And I think that’s a good idea!! xxx
They really were helpful. If I had to go again I don’t think I would think the decision to go would be so hard because it really did turn out alright. And after all, isn’t it what they are there for? xox
Yep that is what they are there for
I am going to speak to my GP about this on Tuesday, so that I will know what to do if I need them xx
Good plan. I hope your GP is more helpful than the douche bag I saw last week :/ xox
Yeah she is alright. I preferred the previous one, but she’s still much better than the idiot I had last year! lol xx