I'm a mental health nurse - AMA

[Bee91]

Like the title says, I'm a mental health nurse, currently working in a medium secure unit

:)

Do you ever think people are faking it? Or even that it's not as bad as they make it out?

I ask because I've had issues in the past and worried I wasn't taken seriously.

Would you want to see someone who’d taken 150mg Venlafaxine. 3.75mg zopiclone and 20mg amitripyline? Who’s under the care of the Acute Mental Health Team

CONTENT WARNING - Self-harm and suicide

DISCLAIMER - I'm genuinely not being goady, I'm autistic and can come across as blunt.

Why are men taken more seriously and provided more practical support than women with regard to mental health issues? Is it literally because they are statistically at a higher risk of suicide? If so, why aren't autistic people given the same priority (as we are at an even higher risk)?

My question stems from a few years ago where myself and a male friend were both going through horrific depression at the same time. He mentioned he was thinking about killing himself and maybe self-harming, he got regular psych appointments, a week on an out-patient ward for his own safety and has since been offered OT. At the same time (in the same health board) I actively self-harmed daily and had three suicide attempts (blue-lighted to A&E). I saw a psych twice and was discharged never to be seen by them again.

What advice would you give to someone who is supporting a loved one through crisis?
There is professional involvement, but as with everything the service is over stretched, what can I do to best help?

Bee91 hi, i have been in and out of MH services as a patient for many years. diagnosed with EUPD/BPD, OCD, anxiety, possible CPTSD and some issues with binge eating. i have had some good MH nurses and some awful ones.

Could i be really cheeky and ask why is it so many MH workers really dislike working with EUPD/BPD patients? And why do they write our trauma histories off as though they have nothing to do with our PD? sorry if this post sounds bitter and angry. it is not intended as a personal attack

@whispertome
Because it is a medium secure unit the majority of the patients are admitted under section from the courts or transferred from prison, very few in my experience have been faking it. Unfortunately some have and they freely admitted they did it because they thought hospital would be an easier option than prison. Which is definitely not true and they regretted it in the end, as the hospital stay ended up being much longer than a prison sentence.

@Grumpbum123
If there was intention to cause themselves harm then yes, i would want to see them.

@Hugandroll
I have limited experience in working with females, the unit I work in is Male only. The only experience I have had really is when taking a male patient to a&e after severe self harm he was not treated particularly respectfully by the staff there as he went quite frequently.
I really don't know why your friend got more input than you did.

@thisisnotwhatisignedupfor
Sorry your loved one is going through crisis, all I can say is be there for them, listen to them. They just need your love and support and the professionals can do the rest, but don't forget to look after yourself - if you don't already have carer support ask if you need it.

@GoldenChildReturns
I couldn't tell you why so many have a dislike for working with EUPD/BPD. When I was training I came across several myself which I felt at the time did start to rub off on me until I had a placement on a specialist PD ward which really opened my eyes and gave me a far better understanding. It ended up being my favourite placement of all.
Unfortunately there are good and bad nurses in all specialities not just mental health. I hope i'm one of the good ones!
I hope if you need any help in the future you find the good ones.

Name changed.

I'm currently under the care of a home treatment team. I've almost been kept in hospital twice over the past week. Main reason suicidal thoughts and self harm.

I'm terrified of being taken away from my family, the thoughts are still there, which is why I self harm as a distraction. The problem is, when they come round to see me, it's like I seize up and all rational thinking goes out the window. My brain goes foggy and I can't seem to answer the simpliest of questions i.e. What did you do yesterday? I don't have an answer. I almost feel like I'm being interrogated iyswim? I know that's my anxiety and depression kicking in, but I can't shake it.

I think my main concern is being taken away, which I don't want to happen. If I tell them this, that I still have thoughts, what will happen?

what would you think of a fellow professional who had obvious (but old) self harm scars?

@OnTheEdgeButStillHere
However hard it may be it is better to be honest with your care team, without knowing what you are feeling they may not be able to provide you with the support that you need. I hope that they can support you and relieve of of your anxieties of being taken away.

@user546425732
I have worked with other professionals who have had obvious self harm scars, my opinion of them wouldn't be any different - we are all human

Hi op, this is exactly the role I'm trying to get into. I'm waiting for bank people to get me onto their books. Am.I likely to have constant work?

@wizzywig
It will depend on your area with the availability of shifts but I know my unit generally always has shifts - I'm currently on maternity leave so my shifts so to speak, are out for bank/overtime

@Bee91

What happens if your care team don't think you're getting any better? I've been seeing them for a couple of weeks now every other day and they told me this today.

They are seeing me again tomorrow, but I don't know what this means? What will be the next step? My mind is going into overdrive now, mainly due to my anxiety, but has this happened to you before? What usually happens? I'm scared I'm just going to get abandoned

@BippityBoppity87
Sorry I've only just seen this

Your team will support you, they won't abandon you if they feel you need more support,
I hope you are feeling better soon

Do you think that care in the community works as a concept for difficult mental health problems?