Mental health patients in Dundee are being made to wait months between being diagnosed and receiving treatment.
The delays are believed to be caused by a shortage in psychiatrists across Tayside but patients say the gap is leaving them struggling for help.
One man, who was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in May, said he has been waiting three months for drug treatment.
The 39-year-old, who asked to remain anonymous, said the delay was is affecting every aspect of his life.
He said: “I have been off work sick for a long time.
“I struggle to concentrate and find it hard to remember details in my family life.
“This has caused me to be very anxious and depressed.
“I have also self medicated in the past and have had to seek help with substance misuse because of this.”
A shortage of consultant psychiatrists means the health board has had to pay extra to hire locums as cover.
The patient, who works in the public sector, said he had requested an assessment in December last year but had to wait until May before he was given an appointment with a consultant.
Following tests, he was told he needed medication to improve his condition, but he has yet to receive any follow-up appointments.
The patient added: “As the consultant was leaving she wrote in her letter that her replacement should pick up the case.
“I have been informed that there is no timescale for when I will be seen again as they do not know when they will be able to get a replacement so this could go on for a year or so as the consultant will be coming into a massive backlog.
“I now have a diagnosis but no treatment and no end in sight.”
A spokesperson for Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Due to patient confidentiality we cannot comment on individual cases.
“Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership is experiencing a shortage of consultant psychiatrists which is a national issue across Scotland. We are actively recruiting to fill the consultant psychiatrist vacancies within the community mental health team.
“Patients are appointed and seen by the clinical team as soon as possible. To help reduce waiting times we are introducing additional Saturday clinics which will enable patients to be seen that bit quicker.
“Each patient is clinical assessed and individual care plans agreed and are put in place to support the patient.”
