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 .

To those that have experience this or work with people who suffer this, what causes it? Can people get through it?

Hiya, I'm mental health liaison. Loads of things cause it, it's why we assess people.

Of courses you can get better. You can PM me if you like 🙂

@Puddywoodycat

That’s a big question!

People can become mentally unwell for many reasons, just as they can become physically unwell for any reasons. Common reasons include there being a genetic link/predisposition or it may be a reaction to a situation in their life or even a reaction to a physical illness such as an infection. Or sometimes there is no trigger at all.

I’d recommend the MIND website
www.mind.org.uk
For further information

Absolutely people get through it, sometimes they need help in the form of medication or staff from community mental health teams/home treatment teams etc. This might include talking therapies, cbt, seeing a psychologist or other interventions.

Occasionally some people need admission to hospital, either with their agreement or by detaining them by using the mental health act. But most people are treated in the community.

Voluntary admission is difficult. A 136 is slightly easier, a mental health act assessment where you're detained under section 39 is your bed in a secure hospital.

It takes two psychiatrists and an AMPH to agree that you are ill enough. When I see someone who truly needs it, it is the best thing by far that can be done for them.

Hi OP, I have had the symptoms you describe, also caused by horrendous panic attacks. I also ended up in A&E with them where my resting heart rate was measured at 125 (I'm fit, slim early 30s). In the car on the way there I was so high on panic that I felt like I was slipping in and out of reality. In my case the panic was coming on randomly and wasn't really triggered by anything - it would literally happen while I was at home watching TV or doing yoga. The derealisation is the most threatening and alienating feeling. What makes it worse is that it's so hard to describe and it is hard for people to 'get it' if they haven't experienced it, no matter how well meaning they are. I think this is because most of us have moments from day to day where we question how strange or absurd the world is, the difference is that most of the time we manage to move on from these and forget about them a few seconds or minutes later. With derealisation it can feel like you have unwittingly crossed some terrible thought barrier in terms of how you view the world and that nothing will ever be the same again. I promise you from my own experience this isn't true, so if the sensation comes back (which it might) I really urge you to try not to panic over it because this will make it worse (ironically).
In my case I was seen by the A&E doctor, given 5mg diazepam at hospital and sent home with a few more. After listening to my history the doctor advised me to book in with my GP to discuss starting an SSRI. Tbh I had known for a while that this might be a sensible/necessary route for me but had been resistant due to all the negative stories about ADs. I started sertraline and while it was bumpy road at first it's honestly one of the best things I have ever done, 1.5 yrs on I am totally free from panic. I've no idea if this would be an appropriate route for you but just wanted to tell you my story in case it helps. Hope you continue to feel better and please PM if you would like to talk :)

Thanks so, so much, it's been a huge help to read this thread back.

I spoke to a different friend this morning - who I'd keep my guard up with more, I wrote down a lot of stuff yesterday about abuse and things . I ended up sending it to her, and she spoke to me this morning for 90 minutes, didn't ask details, just chatted.

I keep 'remembering' other stuff . MH person that did ring me said that's quite normal, when you feel very safe and supported and loved it's normal for stuff to come flooding back all of a sudden, as happened on Monday. Things I hadn't remembered for years and years . Mind plays tricks on you almost as I've spent half the day wondering if I'm making things up a little, but I genuinely don't think I am, I think that must be a horrible coping mechanism too.

The diazepam is helping a little bit so that's positive, and crisis team said I should be seen by a CPN or doctor within the next two weeks, to try and get a better handle on things.

Hoping you feel better soon, op

Sending you strength and good wishes, OP.

Sounds like you've got good support slotting into place.

You're doing incredibly well in difficult circumstances. Take care x

Thank you . Diazepam’s helping keep a lid on it to an extent although very groggy in the mornings. I did manage to cook a decent meal last night so I’m delighted with that achievement .

MH team are apparently going to ring me today, they said they were having a meeting today during which my case would be discussed and said someone will get back to me by 5pm with a plan of action . So I’m a bit on tenterhooks waiting on the phone ringing !

Good to hear things are moving forward, OP. One step at a time!

Being kept on diazepam for another week, MH team rang yesterday and said they've not yet managed to get a plan in place but I've got a named nurse now, and can speak to her Mon-Fri 9-5 so that's all positive .

That's good to hear!

@inablindpanic well done on engaging with MH services and handling yourself so well. Keep working with the experts and letting them help you. I wish you a solid and speedy recovery.

That's really good to hear, OP. A big well done, that's not an easy thing to have navigated, and you did it! Hope you continue to improve.

Long time bipolar bear here - last admission in 2003. Hospital/staff much kinder and switched on than in my day. Let them help you and soon you will feel much better. Nowadays I am looked after by a CPN and a doc, in my own home. Hugs to you.