To want to take charge regarding sisters mental health

[inashizzle]

Paremedics called me last week to say they couldn't get out to my sister for 4 hrs so if I could take her to a&e as she'd taken an overdose. Theyd pushed her to allow them to contact someone and I'm so glad they did.

I was told she'd be kept in after 8 hrs to see mental health team next morning however she was discharged at 5am, without medication but to speak to her gp who since gave her anti depressants

She's not been great but it's peaked again whereby she is hysterical, chronically sad and so very low. She's going from solidly sobbing to saying she's ok. Do I make her ring 111 /ring myself/ I just don't know what to do. Please advise

[kazillionaire]

If time allows ring her GP and ask for an emergency appointment for mental health issues then take her along and get the GP to help, they should do referrals or even medication. If its a crisis then go to a and e with her and ask for a mental health nurse

[inashizzle]

Thanks kazillionaire. She's at her adult daughters who's said she's ok, she messaged me also to say she's ok- I'm just petrified that if one of us Is not available at any point the state she might get into. I also worry that whilst she tells us she's ok, it's like she's telling us that to make us not worry.

[Snowysky20009]

How long as she been like this?

[inashizzle]

She is 10 years older than me. 8 years ago she had a quadrupole heart bypass. I noticed whatever lie seeming depression then became s much bigger thing . Even though we can talk , her personality is generally portrayed by herself as happy go lucky and she would quite often avoid focusing on it. She'd also get quite angry looking back, at anyone with depression , saying they were looking for attention, last Christmas her best friend was in a mental health hospital- she said it was all for notice. I did say her friend must be quite unwell to be there, no one would go that far for notice, professionals would believe her friend to need treatment

[inashizzle]

Also she never got over her husband leaving; she's had two live in partners since but those relationships have broken down, they've left because her temper got bad during/after binges of alcohol . I think she stayed with them to fill a void . Last weeks overdose was after her then boyfriend refused to try make a go of it

[witherwings]

I second phoning the GP. She needs professional help. Maybe they can get a counsellor sorted too?

[Lizzie48]

You're a lovely sister, OP. Yes, you do need to get your DSis to get professional help, it doesn't sound good. I'm speaking as someone who has issues with PTSD and depression and am on anti-depressants, the hardest thing is admitting that you have a problem.

One thing, though, anti-depressants take a little while to make a difference. If she's just started taking them then it might turn out that they're enough to help her cope. Her GP will be seeing her again in 4 week to review how it's working and whether it should be adjusted.

She would also benefit from seeing a therapist, I think.

[inashizzle]

Hi just wanted to say many thanks for all of your input and very far from understanding much about mental health, thanks to your reply, the penny has just dropped- there must be PTSD with all that she's endured.Her daughter is now aware that it is mental health as she'd broken down sobbing in despair for near an hour; she's not aware of the overdose as I felt i would be betraying her trust. Hopefully she will attend the appointments - I know by asking she'll feel like I'm nagging but I couldn't live with myself if something happened her.Thanks again and to Lizzie48 , I wish you the best of health xx

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

Sounds like she needs a good and strong dose of the appropriate anti depressants

Followed by some practical support such as counselling

The drugs work and it does sound like she needs the right dose and some moral support till they kick in

It’s very sad and hard being a human but she has you and her DD and that’s a very strong start xx

[Lizzie48]

@inashizzle, thank you, you're very kind. It's a long haul, PTSD, and I have a long way to go. It's good that your DSis and her DD have your support. That can make all the difference.