What will happen at my first CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) appointment?

Hi,

Well I'm 14 and female. I have most symptoms for depression, I have suicidal thoughts and thoughts on self harm, I hear voices and I also show a lot of symptoms for PTSD, after seeing my Mum die, OCD and anxiety. I went to see my GP and I was told that I was being referred to CAMHS because they are "more able" to deal with things like this.

I am really scared about it all because I don't know what to expect. I know that they will probably try and help as best they can, but that doesn't stop me from being scared. I am also really scared because it is Child and Adolescent MENTAL Health Services. Does that mean I have lost the plot or that I am mental?

Also if anybody knows, will my Dad have to stay in with me for the whole appointment? All he knows about is the possibility of depression and that I have been referred. He doesn't know about the voices, suicidal thoughts or symptoms for PTSD, OCD or anxiety.

What will happen at the appointment?

What does it mean if you are being seen by CAMHS 21 days after you initially saw your doctor? Does that mean they are worried, you are in danger, or is it a good thing?



By the way, the appointment is on the 18th of July 2011, so even though I have more than a week it is still very scary at the moment.What will happen at my first CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) appointment?What will happen at the appointment?

There be paperwork, you will likely be given a page of questions about your symptoms, eating and sleeping, you will be asked if you have been suicidal., then you will be scheduled for a follow-up appointment with a counselor. You may be prescribed medication, but probably not on a first visit.

You will be asked the question: "what brings you in today?" and there will be verbal tests of memory and of your awareness of what day it is and where you are and why you are there.



What does it mean if you are being seen by CAMHS 21 days after you initially saw your doctor?

It means there are many other teens, like you who need to be seen, and this was the soonest they could schedule you.



Does that mean they are worried, you are in danger, or is it a good thing?

If they were worried, it would have been the same day or the day after you called.



Before you go in, I suggest you take a blank card and on one side write what you need to tell them, and on the other side, write your questions for them. When you get there this card should make you less nervous. If you are too nervous to speak the words, simply hand the card to the Dr.



Part of the time you will be in the room alone with the Dr, and part of the time your parent will be in there too.



Be careful to be truthful. Tell ALL your symptoms. The sooner they know, the better they can help you. The voices are an important clue.



This is Mental Health because it's not your foot or your heart. These people understand and specialize in teens and how they think.