When to seek support?

When to seek support?


Living with unusual experiences can be very distressing. When these persist, it can feel increasingly difficult to cope and also affect your ability to

  • Look after your own needs
  • Concentrate on everyday tasks
  • Maintain relationships with others
  • Engage with employment or education

Despite their impact, it can feel difficult to talk about unusual experiences. Worrying about how others will react, for instance, is a common barrier to seeking help. How soon someone feels ready to do so varies from person to person.

There are benefits to asking for support early, especially if unusual experiences cause you distress. If you decide to seek help, your GP is the best person to speak to. If you struggle to attend GP appointments by yourself, it can be helpful to bring a friend or a relative with you. 

What happens when I ask for help?

Your GP will likely refer you to mental health services in NHS Fife. You will then be offered an assessment, during which you will meet one or more of the following professionals:

  • Community Mental Health Nurse
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Psychiatrist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker
  • Support Worker

The above professionals will discuss your difficulties with you and will help you decide on what kind of support best meets your needs. As part of this, they will ask you a range of questions about yourself. These can include questions about

  • Your unusual experiences and how you try to cope with them
  • Other mental health difficulties you may have experienced
  • Your personal history, including any difficult life experiences
  • What your relationships with others are currently like
  • How you manage activities/employment/ education