Professor David Veale 2016-11-22 Person 5 5 0

I've been a patient of Prof Veale for a number of years. I don't see him much now apart from occasional medication reviews or if my OCD was to relapse in a severe way. I respect the views of other people that have commented on his manner. However, I must share an honest and different opinion overall. The first time I met Prof Veale, I didn't feel like he 'got it'. Now I look back though and think, he probably wasn't that surprised by the symptoms, thoughts and feelings I was having because he spends every professional hour of his day with people like me and some worse. I went through a stage of seeing Prof Veale every week. I also had his personal email if I needed to contact him. Over time, I grew very fond of his dry sense of humour and his eccentric manner which many highly academic people possess. Most Psychs are pretty mad and probably have their own issues! When I was at my lowest point, he would always help me and he used the 'tough love' approach that is required when helping someone with OCD. I.e. Not giving reassurance or preventing the use of safety behaviours. This style of treatment is fundamental when treating OCD. When I was at my lowest he took my concerns seriously. I completely disagree that he likes to push pills down people. You can also see this from his professional view on CBT and criticism he has given of drugs in the past. It was only when I became so depressed and agitated that he would even consider allowing me take a small dose anti-psychotic with my anti-d dose to help the process. In fairness, I really had to plead for this so I could dull my mind a little from 24 hour rumination problems. He didn't want to admit me as an inpatient but instead keep me as a daily outpatient so I could practice my exposure therapy in the real world. In the long run, this was absolutely the right decision. Obviously this is just my opinion but for OCD and depression and in terms of a psychiatrist knowing his area, I feel he is probably the best in this country. Hence, why he heads up a number of refractory units and has helped many patients.