Medical/Psychiatric Assessment

[KiTu 38]

Hi All,

 

I have desperately tried to avoid posting today but I am driving myself nuts worrying.

 

I had my medical yesterday at Knightsbridge and ticked yes for Mental Health issues (Depression), attempts to harm myself (but not others) and hospital treatment.

 

Of course, the doctor asked for my medical summary. Handed it over - she asked about my mental health so I talked about it a little and she asked for more proof, so I handed her my GPs letter which had Nich-Nick's magic words 'she is not at risk of harm to herself or others' 

In the letter my GP stated that I had suffered depression and anxiety and that I had self harmed until 2011 and made suicide attempts until the same time. She said that there is nothing in my demeanour or my medical records to suggest that I have self harmed since that time. She stated that I had taken medication and attended therapy and that I was not suffering depression now.

I handed the dr a letter from a friend who is a nurse, stating similar and how long she has known me etc.

She asked if I had any further information. I had a WADGE of information that I didn't want to hand over because it had every tiny detail of my childhood abuse in there - I don't particularly fancy a random stranger reading that! But I handed it over. In there were letters from my first ever care co-ordinator who stated that I had improved SO much from being difficult to engage, presenting in hospital fairly regularly for stitches etc, to (within just over a year) being open and honest about my difficulties, being 6 months self harm free and learning better coping mechamisms. There was one from my art therapist about how I had been nervous at first and wanted to hide my drawings for fear of what they would show - to then sharing them and discussing what they could mean - all the time attending regular sessions.

Another letter in 2011/2012 referring me to a new psych when I moved, my care co-ordinator stating that it would be a shame for me not to receive the care I deserve after working so hard to get so far.. Then a further letter from my final psychiatrist who saw me from 2014-2015  - this was her initial assessment stating that I did not present ss at risk of self harm or suicide and clearly stated that I did not want to go back to that. Also mentioning that she was confident that I was not suffering with depression, or at risk of self harm or suicide. She stated in her final assessment of me at the end of our sessions that I had gone to see her not because I was struggling or suffering but because I felt strong enough to deal with my childhood abuse and move on from it.

 

So before reading that wadge; the dr said that I may have to have a psychiatric assessment because I took anti-anxiety meds Oct2016(ish) to Jan2017 - which I explained was to take the edge off whilst I was under a LOT of pressure at work. She also said it was because I am nit currently under psychiatric care.

 

I have not self harmed or attempted suicide in 6 years. I have held down steady jobs in those 6 years and I have moved a few times because of jobs and a boyfriend. She inspected my scars and could see that they were old.. Nothing fresh AT ALL.

 

So we went back to her desk after she took blood, checked HR and BP (reverse order, I add!) And breathing/yes, nose, mouth etc. Then she said 'oh you haven't harmed in 6 years?' To which I said 'that's right' I asked how long it would be til I find out if I have to have an assessment and she said a week. She also said that it wouldn't be the same day that she could read hrough my records because they were extensive (better to be, no?)

 

So.. I am worried.. Having read the above, do you guys think she will send me for the assessment? Is my psych evaluation recent enough? Considering I haven't NEEDED therapy since? Surely that's a positive thing? Surely it's positive that I took the initiative to ask for meds to take the edge off to avoid me getting overly stressed? I said I came off them because they disrupted my sleep and by that point I felt less stressed and things had eased at work.

 

I am not worried about having the assessment, I KNOW that I am not at risk. All my previous care givers know that, and even my current GP! I will quite happily go and be honest and present as I am, but it just seems crazy to go through it when I am so obviously well..

Please help me to stop worrying, even if it's to tell me the process.. I just don't see why my 6 years in recovery counts for so little.. especially being in the comfortable and safe situation I am in now..

Edited March 7, 2017 by KiRo

[MrGameAndIndie 1]

Due to the past history of self harm, consider it likely they will need to do the Psyc evaluation, but don't worry, if you have been stable for the last 6 years you should likely pass and be on your merry with with only a slight delay.

 

Note the doctors are not the ones who make the final decision, they are just there to collect and interpret the information. It is the embassy or other that will likely decide, just keep calm, do your best when you come to have your interview, and hopefully you can draw strength from your relationship.

[KiTu 38]

Thanks MrGameAndIndie - I guess the thing I'm most worried about is the delay. I wanted to be able to come out of my interview excited and happy!

 

I know they aren't the ones who make the final decision but they assist in making it with what they put on that medical report..

 

Should I call them on Friday to see if it has been sent off, as it would have been four days? Or should I sit with it and wait until Tuesday to call? I'm just worried that they won't tell me and then I'll rock up to my interview and be told, which will just set off the tears again!

[MrGameAndIndie 1]

5 hours ago, KiRo said:

Thanks MrGameAndIndie - I guess the thing I'm most worried about is the delay. I wanted to be able to come out of my interview excited and happy!

 

I know they aren't the ones who make the final decision but they assist in making it with what they put on that medical report..

 

Should I call them on Friday to see if it has been sent off, as it would have been four days? Or should I sit with it and wait until Tuesday to call? I'm just worried that they won't tell me and then I'll rock up to my interview and be told, which will just set off the tears again!

No harm in calling I don't think. If they don't tell you, nothing has changed.

[KiTu 38]

I didn't need to call in the end - it turns out I am going for the assessment. £360 at Nightingale Hospital on Tuesday, two days before my interview. Hopefully after that it will all move quickly and we'll have some kind of response within a week or so.

I will update this post on Tuesday - perhaps it can help someone else.

[rebeclyna 2]

Hello.  Thank you for sharing. How did it all turn out for you?  Did they also question you about this during the visa interview after you had the medical exam finished?

[TBoneTX 43,548]

18 hours ago, rebeclyna said:

How did it all turn out for you?

You can see this from the OP's timeline under her posts.

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Thread from 2017 is now closed to further comment.