What to expect from the NHS for mental health in London?

Basically, I am horribly depressed, and have been forever and it is wrecking my life. I have no idea if I just need a regular counsellor for a few months to talk stuff out, or a short/long run of meds, or both, or (I suspect) some magician to say 'you have these three things feeding into each other but the root cause is classic lifelong undiagnosed ADD (or something) so short term solutions for the secondary problems and pills/CBT for the big one'

If I go to my GP...what then? Should I expect to be fobbed of with Prozac for a few month s? Wait three months to speak to someone who makes me wait another three to speak to a specialist? Worse?

If I am impatient and can afford to go private...where would I start?

Most of my experience with NHS care is getting any cheap pill from a GP on the day, waiting many months to see anyone else unless an emergency. I am not an immediate physical danger to myself (or anyone else), just in danger of things getting worse up to that point if I have to wait too long.

I just want to know what to expect...and possibly any 'do say --- and don't say---' advice.

Thanks!

Source: http://ask.metafilter.com/244906/What-to-expect-from-the-NHS-for-mental-health-in-London

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