Please help - Scared for my daughter

[Bepis]

My daughter is 18 years old but she has special needs so is a lot younger in her mind. She has suffered with anxiety for the past 5 years or so, to the point where it stopped her attending school and she had to be under CAMHS. Her anxiety was mainly around people she didn't know and new situations.

The past couple of weeks have become so difficult and I just don't know what to do or where to turn.

I noticed her hearing things and she would say to me that her stepbrother swore, or I swore etc when that never happened. That went on for a while but now she is panicking if her sister is on the phone. Her sister will talk to her boyfriend in the evening in her room (they have separate rooms) but my eldest daughter is just flat out panicking about it and refuses to go upstairs. When I finally get her into her bedroom, she will not get in bed but just sits on her bed until 7/8 in the morning.

I tried laying with her this morning so she would get some sleep and she managed an hour or 2.

She's also started putting her fingers in her ears whenever someone talks. Not in a rude way but it's become a reaction. This is within the last couple of days.

She says she can hear her sister talking on the phone at 5/6/7 in the morning despite her sister being fast asleep.

She is also zoned out (I can't think of a better way to describe it). Like when I talk, it's like she doesn't understand me. She's also started whispering instead of using her real voice and is even starting to become non-verbal.

I'm so scared, I don't know what's wrong with her and I don't understand.

I took her to the doctors today and they prescribed Sertraline. She had her first tablet tonight. This seems like more than just anxiety though.

Has anyone else experienced this? Im scared and in tears.

Contacted the GP and told them everything I've said on here. Their response was to wait until the review telephone appointment on 27 January. I'm in utter disbelief.

She's literally laughing non stop now with no break.

Oh dear. That sounds manic (not a diagnosis, not an HCP).

What do mental health helplines say? I'm not knowledgeable about this level of illness.

I still wouldn't worry too much about food, she won't need a lot to keep her going. I would worry about the behaviour though.

Have you seen her take her medication?

I think I'd take her to A&E- this is new and unusual behaviour, not something your average parent would know how to manage, unaided.

Yes I make sure she takes her medication in front of me. I'm watching her 24/7 now and making notes and logs of behaviours etc.

She keeps dropping off so I want her to try and get some sleep. I'm hoping that it could possibly be lack of sleep as she hasn't even had a nap in 50 hours.

If she is still the same after having a sleep then I may take her up to A&E. I don't understand why the GP wasn't more concerned.

I urge you to take her to A&E after sleep. She is in huge distress, and you have tried the GP route twice. This might be the ONLY way she will get help soon.

This is always a last resort for the health service, and I don't want to upset you, but perhaps think about how you will respond if they want her to stay in hospital. It is so unlikely, but I'd rather think you were prepared.

I've been thinking of you both, and your family, all morning. I wish you peace and relief with all my heart.

I just read it can be one of the side effects of sertraline. Not officially but I've read other peoples experiences who are new to Sertraline and they got the same uncontrollable laughter until it settled down.

She's managed to drink some and is now eating some dinner with her tablets.

I think I might see how she is once settled on the medication. She's drinking now so I feel a lot more relaxed with that.

Have you tried the local to you NHS mental health crisis team number? They may be more help than the GP?

In our area there 111 option 2 for mental health crises, takes an hour to be answered but they can normally at least offer good advice and can offer somewhere to go that evening for help.

That's good news Bepis. One day at a time, one snack at a time, one drink, nap etc.
Each normal moment builds on the next, until you have some stability.

I would urge you to get her proper help. If she has an illness like bipolar setraline could send her into a manic episode. I dont think gps should prescribe this sort of medication without the patient being seen by a physiatrist.

I'm trying so hard to get her proper help but I feel like no one wants to help me. I've tried GP, mental health number and no one is giving me any help so I'm just doing what I can. It's really hard though. I feel very much alone.

You are doing amazingly OP. Your poor daughter, and you.
This sounds really worrying and to me appears a crisis situation - I’m not a medical professional but she clearly needs an psychiatric assessment and treatment plan. And your GP sounds terrible.

i have a lifelong history of MH issues. My last crisis was at the height of the covid pandemic, after failing to obtain suitable NHS help, I obtained a private psychiatrist for assessment and treatment plan - she was able to prescribe anti-psychotics and mood stabilisers that saved my life. Once she had written to my GP, they agreed to take over the prescribing under her instructions and I retained her for 6 months until the NHS MH team had capacity to take me on. So I saw her (virtually) 6 times in total, 350 for the assessment, 175 per follow up and 100 for initial private prescriptions until the NHS took over. So not cheap but worth it if possible.

The other option is A and E, completely acceptable as this is a clear crisis. Then ask to see the duty psychiatrist - assuming A and E still have the ability to call them. It would doubtless be a long wait though.

I think you and your daughter will have to be prepared for a long haul though because it takes time to identify the right medication through trial and error. I was pretty unwell for a year but another year on, I am stable on my particular cocktail and able to work again. Hopefully it will be quicker for your daughter.

i did not ever have the support that you are providing to your daughter though, and this is so crucial - you are amazing. I am thinking of you both.

In our area there's a self referral pathway for under 25s mental health, that's how I got help for DS but I had to be very dramatic to get help. There is a cahms home treatment team if she is still cahms age. Alternatively go to A&E. I would also wonder about bipolar and catatonia from symptoms but needs a psychiatrist to assess.

@Bepis i wonder if any of these services would be able to help advise you about your options:
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/learning-disability-support/#UsefulContactsForLearningDisabilitySupport

Can you produce food in bite sized pieces? Put a few on a plate and leave it within her reach, with half a dozen grapes or some small segments of satsuma or something for liquid intake? In a completely different world from yours, I did that with dd, who would then eat what was there without really noticing what she was doing. I'd say nothing t all, just put the plte down and get on with whatever else I was doing, or just sit and read, whatever I would normally do. When it was all gone I'd maybe do some more, leave the plate for her and so on; nothing said about food or meals or eating or anything.. I found that not making a thing out of it worked well.

I do hope your dd improves quickly. Thinking of you all.

You're doing really well OP, such a great mama. What are the wait times at your nearest A&E? I think your intincts are spot on, if she seems a bit better after some rest, try to ride it out, if she doesn't I would take her in. Sending you good wishes x

This is showing alot like bpd. Have they looked into that?
I understand you keep seeing chunks and so wait.but she isn't going to get better op.so you waiting and not acting when she "seems" to be more herself isn't actually true it's just a manic episode of up and down behaviours.she needs help.for whatever reason this is happening or why it's not normal.its very very poorly.she could be right as rain tomorrow but that won't mean she is because this,what she's going through now is poorly and needs investigating urgently.
Maybe have a look at this ladies page? www.instagram.com/reel/CnPaTqdKkXv/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

I used to work in the MH A&E team and I disagree: this is definitely what A&E is for.
Please take her to A&E, they’ll be able to arrange a psychiatrist appointment within a couple of days, and support at home in the interim if needed.

Sorry I wasn’t meaning my post as criticism you are clearly doing everything you can to help. What I am saying is she also needs the help of a professional.
As pps have said you either stump up money for a private appointment or go to A&E and ask to see the duty/on call physiatrist.

OP, please take her to A&E, she needs to be assessed by psych liaison. This is a clear mental health crisis. I used to work in Tier 3 CAMHS, now secondary adult services. This sounds like psychosis. If it is (and I can't think what else it could be), she needs antipsychotics. This level of unwell needs medical attention and a mental health team around her. It will not get better on its own. It leaves her vulnerable to further episodes or to developing chronic symptoms. I know it's probably hard to accept what's in front of you, it's such a scary thing, but please take her to A&E. All the stress, past and recent, absolutely could have triggered psychosis. But she will get better. She just needs proper care.

@Bepis how is DD today?

@Howmanysleepsnow I am relieved by your affirmation. I have to say I've been to A&E a few times MH related and I have never been treated with anything but compassion and support, I never once, for one minute, felt they thought I was wasting their time. This is in our part of London and another city (in laws and friends). You and your colleagues are wonderful people.

@Bepis, please be encouraged that if DD is 'only' going through Sertraline side effects you will be reassured and never judged; if she needs more help you are in the right place. It might even be Sertraline is the wrong drug and another will help her better.

It really isn't showing anything like BPD, please be cautious of suggesting such things without evidence

OP I really would take her to A&E, I think she's having a mental health crisis and the care you've received from your GP has been shocking.

OP I hope things are calmer. Agree with PPs that your daughter needs specialist care ASAP. If GP and MH team go on fobbing you off, it'll have to be A+E.

I'm so sorry that her father has done this to you both. You sound amazing. Will be thinking of you.

Quick update - just phoned 111 as she is having chest pains, not slept for days and is now shaking and not moving from the same spot. She's setting herself and sitting in it, not caring. Spoke to a nurse at 111 and she recommended sending an ambulance out so we are waiting for that now.