Anyone about? Being admitted to a MH unit

[inablindpanic]

I’m at OOH GP, they’re wanting to admit me for the night due to horrendous panic attacks . I’m currently waiting on GP coming back, he’s given me a 5mg valium and said I’ll be taken to A&E who will medically assess and then hand over to MH assessment unit . I’m terrified . I’ve never been in hospital for MH before .

Would you rather be at home and take Valium? Seems extreme to keep you there for having panic attacks when staying in hospital is more likely to cause panic attacks!

Hello. Handhold here. If you've been having panic attacks you've probably got a lot of adrenaline in your system. It'll be okay.

Heya, I'm here.
I've had horrendous panic attacks before so can relate and empathise.
It's a horrible thing xxx

Hello, sorry you’re having a tough time, I hope if they do admit you they can help you feel better soon.

I would but they said they’d rather someone sees me tonight,
it’s just a bit of a long route to get there as I had to go to walk in centre, be assessed, now being sent 2 miles back down the road to a ward, for more assessment, then they’ll send me to MH unit

I’ve had an admission to a psychiatric hospital. It sounds scary but actually everyone was very kind and very supportive.

hope you are as ok as possible and sending lots of hugs

Thank you, I’m terrified . I don’t like hospitals at the best of times . Diazepam is kicking in a little now .

Now that you're there, it's worth staying to get checked out.

Have you tried box breathing?

In for 4
hold for 4
out for 4
hold for 4

www.scienceofconnectedness.com/box-breathing/

No, hospitals are the last place you want to be when you're not feeling well.

I work in one. Remember we know everyone who arrives is very frightened. It is our responsibility to be kind and hopefully reassure you. Many of the people you meet will have had personal experience of severe anxiety or other mental distress and besides caring for patients may also care for loved ones. They will want you to get the care they, or their wife/husband would want. No one will judge you. They will want to help. Acute MH can be one of the best places to work in MH as small things can make a really big difference to people in crisis, so you will meet some really motivated staff. I hope things start to feel better soon.

You'll be waiting hours in A&E

I'm here too, was lurking on your train thread also. Big hand hold from me. I'm in the medical field, the team looking after you and making these decisions with you will be doing everything in your best interests to keep you safe. I hope you're able to get some rest at some point tonight, my anxiety is always worse when I have a bad night of sleep. You're doing really well OP, panic attacks are so horrible.

What an unhelpful thing to say

You might not be admitted OP, don’t worry. Hospital is an absolute last resort. Psychiatric liaison will speak to you and might refer you to the crisis home treatment team instead. Handhold from me, panic attacks are torture, glad the Valium is kicking in for you.

My mum has been in hospital a couple of times for her MH, and I have visited a lot. I know it's not quite the same as having been a patient myself, but I just wanted to echo the people who have been saying don't worry. I totally understand why it feels scary but you will be okay, you will feel better. Sending you love and strength.

Am just waiting to be seen by medical team at AMAU . They said it could be several hours wait but hopefully not . Bypassed A&E waiting room and triage .

Thank you x

Have you got something to read, OP? Hope you're not waiting for too long.

I’ve got my phone plugged in charging so can read that a bit .

Panic attacks are horrible, I’ve had many severe debilitating ones over the years so I sympathise. I think it’d be highly unlikely to be admitted for panic attacks though. The only time I’ve been admitted was for severe clinical depression as part of my bipolar disorder, when I was actively suicidal and the risk couldn’t be managed at home with crisis team.
I work in the field and don’t know of any admissions due to panic attacks either, as it’s best where possible to support people to manage their symptoms safely at home (plus beds are like gold dust). So they’re much more likely to encourage you to return home with PRN medication and maybe a follow-up from home treatment team or referral to outpatients.

Take care & feel better soon.

I've read your train thread too and I just wanted to say how amazingly you've handled all of this when you must've been feeling terrible all the way through. Sending a handhold and all good wishes - I hope this is the beginning of feeling better and getting the right help.

When you go to the mental health assessment at a&e they have options other than admission eg dd was assigned an intervention team who came daily for two weeks then they fast tracked her to a full assessment.

The other thing to say OP is that you say you’re being transfered etc but that’s only with your say-so. If you don’t agree that’s what you want you’re within your rights to return home. You’re not under Section so what happens and where you get ‘taken’ is very much up to you, so there’s no need to feel scared. If you don’t want to be assessed by the local liaison psych at A&E you don’t have to be.