Comments on: The Advocacy Letter http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/ Award-winning blog on therapy, borderline personality disorder, complex PTSD, major depression, social anxiety and transient psychosis / dissociation. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:49:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Pandora http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-1544 Pandora Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:50:12 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-1544 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">@lostinmentalh Original letter at http://bit.ly/cylF9s Tis NHS reply - advocacy groups just as bad :( Sorry they're so shit for you too :( x</span></span> @lostinmentalh Original letter at http://bit.ly/cylF9s Tis NHS reply – advocacy groups just as bad :( Sorry they're so shit for you too :( x

]]> By: Pandora http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-1545 Pandora Sat, 20 Feb 2010 10:12:52 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-1545 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">Letter from Director of MH services re: advocacy letter (http://bit.ly/cylF9s). Epic, epic fail. Outlines a load of dates, refers briefly to</span></span> Letter from Director of MH services re: advocacy letter (http://bit.ly/cylF9s). Epic, epic fail. Outlines a load of dates, refers briefly to

]]> By: Stress And Anxiety Nhs | My Blog http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-532 Stress And Anxiety Nhs | My Blog Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:08:22 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-532 [...] The Advocacy Letter « Confessions of a Serial Insomniac [...] [...] The Advocacy Letter « Confessions of a Serial Insomniac [...]

]]> By: Serial Insomniac http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-531 Serial Insomniac Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:21:51 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-531 Hi Alison, thanks for the kind words - fingers crossed indeed! I'm so sorry that ending your therapy proved to be the wrong decision :-( How horrible that they ended it in October anyway...it seems so arbitrary that they think everyone would be 'well' at that point. Although I'm grateful for it, the NHS is a mess when it comes to mental health. All the best to you x Hi Alison, thanks for the kind words – fingers crossed indeed! I’m so sorry that ending your therapy proved to be the wrong decision :-( How horrible that they ended it in October anyway…it seems so arbitrary that they think everyone would be ‘well’ at that point. Although I’m grateful for it, the NHS is a mess when it comes to mental health.

All the best to you x

]]> By: Serial Insomniac http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-525 Serial Insomniac Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:12:36 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-525 Haha! You might be on to something here. Perhaps I could tie this in with the psychoses the NHS already knows about and say that 'They' wrote it for me ;-) Haha! You might be on to something here. Perhaps I could tie this in with the psychoses the NHS already knows about and say that ‘They’ wrote it for me ;-)

]]> By: Alison http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-530 Alison Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:26:40 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-530 Excellent letter, well worded I really hope it gets you somewhere and that you can continue your treatment with the therapy. I ended my own weekly group therapy sessions abruptly in April, the worst thing I ever did. The said therapy group in question came to an end in general for everyone else in October when funding was pulled in October (no surprise there with the NHS!) Excellent letter, well worded I really hope it gets you somewhere and that you can continue your treatment with the therapy. I ended my own weekly group therapy sessions abruptly in April, the worst thing I ever did. The said therapy group in question came to an end in general for everyone else in October when funding was pulled in October (no surprise there with the NHS!)

]]> By: davidrochester http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-529 davidrochester Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:01:39 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-529 Re: a defence -- I recommend protesting that you were channelling a highly-intelligent alien. That would both explain why the letter is so great, and have the added bonus of making you seem crazy enough to qualify for additional sessions. Yep. That'll solve all your problems, right there. Re: a defence — I recommend protesting that you were channelling a highly-intelligent alien. That would both explain why the letter is so great, and have the added bonus of making you seem crazy enough to qualify for additional sessions. Yep. That’ll solve all your problems, right there.

]]> By: Serial Insomniac http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-528 Serial Insomniac Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:19:40 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-528 You are so lovely. Your support this year has meant more to me than you could know. It is my honestly held belief that I would be either dead or bobbed if it weren't for the support this year of my online friends, so thank you so very much Phil. You have been awesome. I hope you had a fabulous Christmas. Much love xxxxx You are so lovely. Your support this year has meant more to me than you could know. It is my honestly held belief that I would be either dead or bobbed if it weren’t for the support this year of my online friends, so thank you so very much Phil. You have been awesome. I hope you had a fabulous Christmas.

Much love xxxxx

]]> By: Serial Insomniac http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-527 Serial Insomniac Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:12:37 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-527 My first reaction when C asked for a copy was one of utter delight. It was validating, supportive and even a slight implication that he might actually give something of a fuck about me, something for which I am pathetically desperate (transference sucks). Now, of course, I've convinced myself that the only reason he wanted it was to conspire with his managers in order to draft the best refutation possible. Rationally, I <strong>do</strong> think he took it for honourable reasons, but that doesn't prevent my catastrophising :-( We'll see. I do agree, PQ, that the clinican serves as a great champion for the analysand, so I can only hope this will be a case in point. I will be interested to see how it all plays out. Take care xxx My first reaction when C asked for a copy was one of utter delight. It was validating, supportive and even a slight implication that he might actually give something of a fuck about me, something for which I am pathetically desperate (transference sucks). Now, of course, I’ve convinced myself that the only reason he wanted it was to conspire with his managers in order to draft the best refutation possible.

Rationally, I do think he took it for honourable reasons, but that doesn’t prevent my catastrophising :-( We’ll see. I do agree, PQ, that the clinican serves as a great champion for the analysand, so I can only hope this will be a case in point. I will be interested to see how it all plays out.

Take care xxx

]]> By: Serial Insomniac http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-526 Serial Insomniac Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:03:59 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-526 You know, this had indeed crossed my mind. In the past when I've been caught out by this, I bullshit my way through by saying I had assistance, but since C (the psychologist) knows me well and will be involved, that's not going to wash this time if they protest about my appearance of sanity. I'll have to get my thinking cap on vis a vis a defence. Thanks for the kind comments though, they are very much appreciated! It would be great to have you back on the blog sometime David :) In the meantime, take care and all the best. You know, this had indeed crossed my mind. In the past when I’ve been caught out by this, I bullshit my way through by saying I had assistance, but since C (the psychologist) knows me well and will be involved, that’s not going to wash this time if they protest about my appearance of sanity. I’ll have to get my thinking cap on vis a vis a defence.

Thanks for the kind comments though, they are very much appreciated! It would be great to have you back on the blog sometime David :) In the meantime, take care and all the best.

]]> By: David http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-524 David Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:20:54 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-524 That is a kick-ass letter; beautifully-presented, perfectly-written. I wonder whether the fact of its being so impeccable and logical might actually count against you, in some weird and twisted way ... I've had that happen on numerous occasions; I seem so functional and sane that people make the mistake of thinking I must be overestimating my own nuttiness. That is a kick-ass letter; beautifully-presented, perfectly-written. I wonder whether the fact of its being so impeccable and logical might actually count against you, in some weird and twisted way … I’ve had that happen on numerous occasions; I seem so functional and sane that people make the mistake of thinking I must be overestimating my own nuttiness.

]]> By: Phil Groom http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-523 Phil Groom Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:23:57 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-523 Very well written. I only hope they pay attention and follow up with the ongoing treatment you need. Sending my love and very best wishes to you and yours for the happiest Christmas possible under the circumstances. May the only self-harm you commit during this season be that of a little over-indulgence. Be kind to yourself, sweetie: it's the season of goodwill and I suggest you start with yourself. You are much loved: hugz by the Christmas bucketload. Very well written. I only hope they pay attention and follow up with the ongoing treatment you need.

Sending my love and very best wishes to you and yours for the happiest Christmas possible under the circumstances.

May the only self-harm you commit during this season be that of a little over-indulgence. Be kind to yourself, sweetie: it’s the season of goodwill and I suggest you start with yourself. You are much loved: hugz by the Christmas bucketload.

]]> By: theprozacqueen http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-521 theprozacqueen Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:47:31 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-521 I know it must have felt *awesome* to have written that letter! It's also wonderful IMO that C wants a copy of it to show to the line managers...I'm not sure about in the UK, but here the physician can be the patient's most important advocate. Insurance companies here will often look for whatever reason they can find to deny a claim and not pay for something, assuming they cover it at all! Either way, I'll bet it feels good to at least get started on doing something to improve your situation. Hope it works out, let us know! I know it must have felt *awesome* to have written that letter! It’s also wonderful IMO that C wants a copy of it to show to the line managers…I’m not sure about in the UK, but here the physician can be the patient’s most important advocate. Insurance companies here will often look for whatever reason they can find to deny a claim and not pay for something, assuming they cover it at all! Either way, I’ll bet it feels good to at least get started on doing something to improve your situation. Hope it works out, let us know!

]]> By: Serial Insomniac http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-522 Serial Insomniac Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:19:03 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-522 What would you propose doing on Twitter, WG? I'm up for it :-) In terms of the letter, I think that's a bit of a waiting game. In response to my copying in the Trust's Chief Executive, I received a letter from the Director of Mental Health Services who has apparently requested 'more information' and will get back to me. Aha, with some excuse no doubt. Yet to hear from the advocacy people, but am prepared to badger them if necessary. xxx What would you propose doing on Twitter, WG? I’m up for it :-)

In terms of the letter, I think that’s a bit of a waiting game. In response to my copying in the Trust’s Chief Executive, I received a letter from the Director of Mental Health Services who has apparently requested ‘more information’ and will get back to me. Aha, with some excuse no doubt. Yet to hear from the advocacy people, but am prepared to badger them if necessary.

xxx

]]> By: Wounded Genius http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-520 Wounded Genius Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:13:40 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-520 So what's the next step? Are we waiting for the powers to be to recover from their Christmas stuffing before we get a response? I def think a Twitter campaign is required.. at least! xx So what’s the next step? Are we waiting for the powers to be to recover from their Christmas stuffing before we get a response? I def think a Twitter campaign is required.. at least!

xx

]]> By: Serial Insomniac http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-519 Serial Insomniac Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:15:11 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-519 Thanks for the idea Astrid - I'm sure something must exist in this regard. My therapist himself might be willing to tell me but if not it's bound to be online somewhere. Documentation I've seen to date has been fairly vague, so it would be helpful to know if the health service has any clearer, more definite timeframes somewhere. Thanks for the idea Astrid – I’m sure something must exist in this regard. My therapist himself might be willing to tell me but if not it’s bound to be online somewhere. Documentation I’ve seen to date has been fairly vague, so it would be helpful to know if the health service has any clearer, more definite timeframes somewhere.

]]> By: Astrid http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-518 Astrid Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:26:12 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-518 This seems like a good letter. I am not familiar with the UK health system or whether there are any formal guideliens on coverage for psychotherapy. For example, in the Netherlands I think you're entitled to 25 sessions per year for clinical disorders and 50 sessions for personality disorders (I'm afraid you'll have to go for awhile without therapy for a new round to start after you've used up your sessions), but the clinician can request for coverage of further sessions if needed, and this will usually be approved by insurance. This is a national guideline, so different insurance comps cannot use favoritism. I would hope in the UK there would be guidelines like this too, although they might be at the NHS trust level. Maybe you could familiarize yourself with coverage guidelines in your trust and nearby trust so if your trust is particularly hard on covering psychotherapy, you have proof to show other trusts allow their clients much more. This seems like a good letter. I am not familiar with the UK health system or whether there are any formal guideliens on coverage for psychotherapy. For example, in the Netherlands I think you’re entitled to 25 sessions per year for clinical disorders and 50 sessions for personality disorders (I’m afraid you’ll have to go for awhile without therapy for a new round to start after you’ve used up your sessions), but the clinician can request for coverage of further sessions if needed, and this will usually be approved by insurance. This is a national guideline, so different insurance comps cannot use favoritism. I would hope in the UK there would be guidelines like this too, although they might be at the NHS trust level. Maybe you could familiarize yourself with coverage guidelines in your trust and nearby trust so if your trust is particularly hard on covering psychotherapy, you have proof to show other trusts allow their clients much more.

]]> By: Serial Insomniac http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-517 Serial Insomniac Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:56:56 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-517 Thanks for your kind words Millie - really appreciated :-) Great to meet another person with BPD. Feel free to comment or ask anything - look forward to it :-) Take care - hopefully see you here again soon xx Thanks for your kind words Millie – really appreciated :-) Great to meet another person with BPD. Feel free to comment or ask anything – look forward to it :-) Take care – hopefully see you here again soon xx

]]> By: Serial Insomniac http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-516 Serial Insomniac Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:54:19 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-516 Thanks Pumpkin :-) Yeah, you definitely should write yourself - the NHS's attitude to your situation is horrible. bourach who commented above had a lit of success with Rethink who she said were great. Good luck and take care xxx Thanks Pumpkin :-) Yeah, you definitely should write yourself – the NHS’s attitude to your situation is horrible. bourach who commented above had a lit of success with Rethink who she said were great. Good luck and take care xxx

]]> By: Millie http://serialinsomniac.com/2009/12/17/the-advocacy-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-515 Millie Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:14:42 +0000 http://serialinsomniac.wordpress.com/?p=783#comment-515 Not actually a comment to this letter (although I think it is great), but just wanted to say that I just stumbled across your blog and think it is fucking fantastic! Am a fellow 20 something Borderline, and can really relate to a lot of what you're talking about in your blog. Not actually a comment to this letter (although I think it is great), but just wanted to say that I just stumbled across your blog and think it is fucking fantastic! Am a fellow 20 something Borderline, and can really relate to a lot of what you’re talking about in your blog.

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