"Dignity maintained."

I was diagnosed with Depression at the age of ten, it wasn't until I was 26 that I asked my GP to refer me for treatment instead of just taking the meds I was given with recurring bouts of depression and anxiety.

I am now 53 and having had numerous therapies, CBT, Anxiety Management, Assertiveness Training, one to one counselling, I still have repeated bouts of depression.

It has taken two years to get an appointment with a Psychiatrist at Bushey Fields, I have asked repeatedly to talk somebody about my condition, I saw my community Psychiatric Nurse and was referred to the Poplars, they recommended more group therapy, Mindfulness, which seems to be the big thing now.

Eventually I got an appointment to see a consultant at Bushey Fields, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was treated without the usual condescending tone that I have experienced in the past and that they did listen to my needs.

I have been trying to get my GP to allow me to reduce the amount of medication that I take and was told that they felt that should be done with the specialist support.

Prior to my visit to Bushey Fields I discovered that the medication I take has some disturbing side effects and I have been getting over half of them having taken it for 16 years.

The Psychiatrist concerned was able to access information about the drug immediately and we came to a joint agreement on how to proceed with a phased discontinuation of use.

Again, I was treated as an adult in charge of my own treatment, after trying the new regime for a week or so I had a terrible reaction and had to call Bushey Fields, the member of staff that I spoke to was brilliant, they listened to the problem I was having, agreed that I needed to speak to the Doctor and was able to put me through almost straight away, having spoken to the doctor we came to a mutual agreement on the best route forward, again I was treated with respect.

My only complaint would be that having been referred back to my GP I do not feel that I have the support that I need for what is quite a complicated problem because they just don't have the knowledge required.