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Original poster

My Ds has been in a psychiatric hospital for 4 years

258 replies

Sammysees · 17/02/2023 21:24

I know there has been previous threads on this topic. I thought you may have questions about what it’s like for a parent with a child (young adult) in long term psychiatric care. AMA.

OP posts:
Stomacharmeleon · 22/02/2023 22:30

@OldFan pot triggered my son's psychosis. When he came out of hospital it was the one condition to him being at home... no weed. It's not good for his mental health and it remains that way. I feel so strongly about the affects it has on mental health if you have an underlying condition.

kateandme · 22/02/2023 23:41

Sammysees · 22/02/2023 18:42

I find it especially horrific that even after a suicide attempt you don’t get help. It seems you have to try a few times before they think you are serious. It’s pretty shocking the state our country is in.

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yes or they have the fear of god put into them from either past experiences of "where they will be put if they get admitted" or what will happen on these wards. or people end up then getting horrible balls rolling that arent help but just resourceless forced unhelful treatment. then they are stuck.not being cared for just "treated"

kateandme · 22/02/2023 23:43

elliejjtiny · 22/02/2023 19:17

It is horrific. My son attempted suicide 2 years ago (2 years today actually). He was physically patched up, "assessed" by camhs the next day and then discharged from the hospital and from camhs. From then on we have been on our own. We still don't know why he did it.

oh im so sorry.how is he now.how are you?
its awful ok. but its isnt your fault nor his for that terrible treatment.
its not good enough. its not.

OldFan · 23/02/2023 12:26

@Sammysees Desperate (and/or intrigued) people pay for all sorts of things. Like clinics in Mexico offering Gerson therapy (juice fast) for cancer for instance. People lose all their savings at all sorts of clinics when there's no evidence for their effectiveness.

Original poster
Sammysees · 23/02/2023 12:50

OldFan · 23/02/2023 12:26

@Sammysees Desperate (and/or intrigued) people pay for all sorts of things. Like clinics in Mexico offering Gerson therapy (juice fast) for cancer for instance. People lose all their savings at all sorts of clinics when there's no evidence for their effectiveness.

That is very true. My colleague has his first session next Monday and then 5 sessions in total. I have to say I am intrigued. Never having taken drugs it is somewhat bizarre that they give you ketamine. I honestly hope he gets the outcome he wants.

OP posts:
OldFan · 23/02/2023 16:50

People can think they have results from stuff because they have to justify to themselves the money they've spent. But that effect doesn't last long term.

Ketamine- gosh. Shock

Original poster
Sammysees · 23/02/2023 17:43

OldFan · 23/02/2023 16:50

People can think they have results from stuff because they have to justify to themselves the money they've spent. But that effect doesn't last long term.

Ketamine- gosh. Shock

I did ask him if it was legal. Never in a million years would you think you would be given ketamine for therapy. He won’t be able to pretend he is ok - I know him too well. I’ve worked with him for years. I guess it must work for some people. Why would they do it otherwise? And isn’t ketamine addictive? I’m a bit naive when it comes to drugs.

OP posts:
LaundryandDirt · 23/02/2023 21:43

There are many above board trials going on for microdosing psychedelics, ketamine, acid etc. There has been some amazing results so far.

Best Wishes to you son OP and all others suffering.

Stomacharmeleon · 23/02/2023 22:19

@Sammysees can cause chronic bowel problems.

kateandme · 24/02/2023 12:00

Sammysees · 23/02/2023 17:43

I did ask him if it was legal. Never in a million years would you think you would be given ketamine for therapy. He won’t be able to pretend he is ok - I know him too well. I’ve worked with him for years. I guess it must work for some people. Why would they do it otherwise? And isn’t ketamine addictive? I’m a bit naive when it comes to drugs.

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Do you know exactly what they are doing.had any medical advice st all?

Original poster
Sammysees · 24/02/2023 16:57

kateandme · 24/02/2023 12:00

Do you know exactly what they are doing.had any medical advice st all?

Show quote history

It’s a clinic in Bristol. Apparently when you are high on drugs you are more open about your difficulties and the therapy is done whilst you are high and then another therapy session the day after. From what he’s said (and from what I’ve googled) it is a medical doctor. My colleague isn’t young (mid 50’s). My worry is - what if it doesn’t work? What if it makes him feel worse? It must be legal. Surely they wouldn’t have a website advertising this if it was illegal?

OP posts:
Original poster
Sammysees · 24/02/2023 17:00

LaundryandDirt · 23/02/2023 21:43

There are many above board trials going on for microdosing psychedelics, ketamine, acid etc. There has been some amazing results so far.

Best Wishes to you son OP and all others suffering.

I really hope my colleague gets the results he wants. I really really do. I guess new remedies and practices always make people edgy. I have no idea if it would work with someone who has autism so it’s something that I would like to keep an open mind about. I am following his progress, not just as a friend, but with interest to see if it could be something that benefits my son in the future.

OP posts:
kateandme · 24/02/2023 17:37

Sammysees · 24/02/2023 16:57

It’s a clinic in Bristol. Apparently when you are high on drugs you are more open about your difficulties and the therapy is done whilst you are high and then another therapy session the day after. From what he’s said (and from what I’ve googled) it is a medical doctor. My colleague isn’t young (mid 50’s). My worry is - what if it doesn’t work? What if it makes him feel worse? It must be legal. Surely they wouldn’t have a website advertising this if it was illegal?

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It's very hard not to sound like a judgemental that via text form so don't take any of it this way.theres more emotion/empathy in me than what text speaks I swear.
But yes anyone and everyone the biggest scammers out there worm extremely hard on webpages.
I'd worry what the come down is.feelibg more out of control from drugs is always always 💯 to be avoided in those suffering from mental illness. It's so often the worse making. Perpetuates it.exacerbates and worsens it.
Does he openly want to do it I assume?
No all it involves. And every possible side effect?

Original poster
Sammysees · 24/02/2023 17:59

kateandme · 24/02/2023 17:37

It's very hard not to sound like a judgemental that via text form so don't take any of it this way.theres more emotion/empathy in me than what text speaks I swear.
But yes anyone and everyone the biggest scammers out there worm extremely hard on webpages.
I'd worry what the come down is.feelibg more out of control from drugs is always always 💯 to be avoided in those suffering from mental illness. It's so often the worse making. Perpetuates it.exacerbates and worsens it.
Does he openly want to do it I assume?
No all it involves. And every possible side effect?

Show quote history

I’m guessing he will be supervised for the come down. I honestly don’t know. His first session is on Monday and Tuesday. I hope he will be ok to talk about it to me on Wednesday. Obviously I’m not going to push him but he has been quite open about what he’s doing. To the point he turned down the original counsellor/doctor (??) and picked someone else who he felt suited him better. I (again guessing) think that you have to be pretty unhappy to try this sort of thing when normal counselling hasn’t worked. I am intrigued. I hadn’t heard about it until he said he was doing it. And even if it did work for him, it may not work for someone else.

OP posts:
OldFan · 28/02/2023 02:15

I'm pretty shocked if that's happening legally in the UK. It's actually disgusting to me as someone for whom drugs definitely foregrounded and exacerbated severe mental health problems.

Original poster
Sammysees · 28/02/2023 10:31

OldFan · 28/02/2023 02:15

I'm pretty shocked if that's happening legally in the UK. It's actually disgusting to me as someone for whom drugs definitely foregrounded and exacerbated severe mental health problems.

I guess for someone who has never taken drugs and it being low doses in a controlled environment it would be different? It does seem bizarre but the studies that have been done are all very positive. It’s going to be very different from taking drugs recreationally. I have spoken to my colleague today (he is off today) and he said it was a very low dose and subtle. Ie. He wasn’t off his face or anything.

OP posts:
TheFTrain · 28/02/2023 15:21

For those who are interested, there was a documentary on BBC2 last year called 'The Psychedelic Drug Trial'. You may still be able to get it on iPlayer. It followed a trial at Imperial College London where people with depression combined psychedelics and therapy.

Original poster
Sammysees · 28/02/2023 17:59

TheFTrain · 28/02/2023 15:21

For those who are interested, there was a documentary on BBC2 last year called 'The Psychedelic Drug Trial'. You may still be able to get it on iPlayer. It followed a trial at Imperial College London where people with depression combined psychedelics and therapy.

Thank you. I will go and take a look.

OP posts:
Pickledd · 06/03/2023 17:18

I work in one of the units you describe OP. It's low secure ASD we have seen people move onto very happy lives in the community it just takes time to get everything in place. I am thinking of you and your son. Xxx

NooNooHead1981 · 06/03/2023 18:13

Hi OP, from what I know about ketmine therapy (which isn't a lot admittedly), it is usually a low dose in a controlled medical setting. I've had contact with a few people in various Facebook groups that I'm in for my neurological involuntary movement disorder (which was caused, ironically by a psychotropic drug prescribed off label), and many people with the same disorder as I have are now looking to use it to help them, along with treatment resistant depression etc. I do hope it helps your son and that he I ok. I've heard good things about what it can do.

I just thought it might be interesting to say that my dear departed brother was a recreational ketamine user and unfortunately had a lot of problems with it, and I know it caused him calcification of the bladder. He also passed away from bowel cancer so now I'm wondering if ketamine was anything to do with that possibly 🤔

Anyway, this is in no way meant to bring any negativity to your thread whatsoever, just to say that I'm sure used safely with medical professionals, ketamine is a useful and good treatment. The only time these things are likely go go wrong is when abused (although I did get a medication induced neurological involuntary movement disorder from an off label antipsychotic but I was just incredibly unlucky unfortunately).

Best of luck to you both 💖💫

NooNooHead1981 · 06/03/2023 18:13

*ketamine

Sorry for the typos, am on my phone

Original poster
Sammysees · 06/03/2023 18:42

Pickledd · 06/03/2023 17:18

I work in one of the units you describe OP. It's low secure ASD we have seen people move onto very happy lives in the community it just takes time to get everything in place. I am thinking of you and your son. Xxx

Thank you 🙏 And also a massive thank you for all you do. I know it’s not an easy job and I have massive respect for the people that do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sammysees · 06/03/2023 18:44

NooNooHead1981 · 06/03/2023 18:13

Hi OP, from what I know about ketmine therapy (which isn't a lot admittedly), it is usually a low dose in a controlled medical setting. I've had contact with a few people in various Facebook groups that I'm in for my neurological involuntary movement disorder (which was caused, ironically by a psychotropic drug prescribed off label), and many people with the same disorder as I have are now looking to use it to help them, along with treatment resistant depression etc. I do hope it helps your son and that he I ok. I've heard good things about what it can do.

I just thought it might be interesting to say that my dear departed brother was a recreational ketamine user and unfortunately had a lot of problems with it, and I know it caused him calcification of the bladder. He also passed away from bowel cancer so now I'm wondering if ketamine was anything to do with that possibly 🤔

Anyway, this is in no way meant to bring any negativity to your thread whatsoever, just to say that I'm sure used safely with medical professionals, ketamine is a useful and good treatment. The only time these things are likely go go wrong is when abused (although I did get a medication induced neurological involuntary movement disorder from an off label antipsychotic but I was just incredibly unlucky unfortunately).

Best of luck to you both 💖💫

My colleague had his 2nd session today. I’m not sure if I will go down this route for my son. Probably unlikely in all honesty. But because my colleague was doing it I got interested in what was involved. It is good to know the bad things as well as the good things.

OP posts:
bestmoment · 10/02/2024 16:02

how has your son being doing OP?

Crikeyalmighty · 10/02/2024 17:41

@Sammysees sorry to read this - it sounds hard on you both- very glad you are so supportive to him -