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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my nurse shouldn't have reported me to social services

119 replies

calmday · 22/08/2017 23:15

Hi, I suffer from mental health problems. I've recently come off all my prescription medication. I bought some of the natural supplement 5 HTP to use to help my anxiety and low mood. When my CPN found out I'm taking this she reported me to the social work. So they're coming to see me soon. AIBU?

OP posts:
HeyRoly · 22/08/2017 23:18

Clearly she has concerns about the ramifications of you stopping all of your meds in favour of a "natural supplement". Which sounds very unwise to me.

She wouldn't have reported you without major concerns for the safety of your children.

Bezm · 22/08/2017 23:19

Maybe it's that she's concerned about you coming off your prescribed meds? See it as a supportive measure.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 22/08/2017 23:23

YABU
Coming off some prescription meds too quickly and without adequate supervision can result in serious side effects. Additionally, if those meds are stabilising your mood she is right to be concerned about the impact of you stopping.

WorraLiberty · 22/08/2017 23:23

I think it's just the word 'reported'. It sounds horrible doesn't it?

In reality, it's a referral because she feels there's a chance you may need some support from SS.

Try not to worry about it and look at it as a positive thing Thanks

Coming off your meds in favour of a natural supplement, does sound a bit worrying though.

StillDrivingMeBonkers · 22/08/2017 23:23

It's a safeguarding issue.

ShapelyBingoWing · 22/08/2017 23:27

It seems like she's done it to ensure there is support in place. It feels invasive, I completely understand that, but please try to look at it as a bit of extra help while you're off your meds.

PurpleDaisies · 22/08/2017 23:29

Sorry you feel like this but it's better for her to raise concerns than not. Social services are there to help.

SaucyJack · 22/08/2017 23:29

She's probably just covering her own back in the extremely unlikely event that something terrible were to happen to your family as a result of your choices.

Finola1step · 22/08/2017 23:31

I take 5HTP and it is very good. But I have periods of low mood and anxiety. Not Depression or any other mental health issue requiring prescribed medication. AFAIK, it is really only for low level issues. Have you stopped your meds with GP support?

fluffycatpaws · 22/08/2017 23:33

I had a safeguarding talk today, and if she had a concern for your health, she may have had to refer you to someone. If your health is at a big risk, she would have had to refer you, but would have had to let you know before she did so.

BackieJerkhart · 22/08/2017 23:36

Is it possible she has no choice but to report to SS? If maybe that she has to when someone suddenly stops all their medication depending on their circumstances.

feathermucker · 22/08/2017 23:36

They don't normally refer/report without good reason.

What's the back story here? Have you had SS involvement before?

MumIsRunningAMarathon · 22/08/2017 23:38

You have DC?

Viviennemary · 22/08/2017 23:39

It's really difficult to comment on this without knowing all the background. I agree that she may well be covering her own back. Try not to worry too much.

Original poster
calmday · 22/08/2017 23:41

Yeah I've had SS involvement before, because I was so mentally unwell that they were worried I couldn't look after my children. My partner told my CPN that the only reason I took 5 HTP was to get high (I have a history of hypomania). So there are concerns of how I'm acting around the children.

OP posts:
GetOutOfMYGarden · 22/08/2017 23:45

OP, it's a safeguarding issue. You've previously been very unwell and you're coming off medication that allowed you to look after your DCs without SS involvement.

I think it's very important you chat to your psychiatrist about the 5HTP, especially with your history of hypomania. It can worsen your hypomania as it's a serotonin precursor.

MumIsRunningAMarathon · 22/08/2017 23:45

Well then. It's a justified concern.... don't you think?

Original poster
calmday · 22/08/2017 23:47

No I don't think it's a justified concern.

OP posts:
nocoolnamesleft · 22/08/2017 23:48

It sounds like your nurse would have been putting their registration at risk if they hadn't referred to social services, based on what you say.

orangeowls · 22/08/2017 23:48

She probably didn't have a choice. In the profession I'm in I have to report certain things, even though it could be nothing x

ASauvingnonADay · 22/08/2017 23:48

It's definitely a justified concern.

DoJo · 22/08/2017 23:49

It certainly sounds like a situation in which your family could require support and additional attention, particularly if your partner is making accusations about your use of the supplements. I can't imagine why else a nurse would consider contacting SS about you unless you believe she has a personal vendetta against you? I'm sure that everyone involved has you and your children's best interests at heart.

HeyRoly · 22/08/2017 23:49

OP, I'm not one for searching out a person's backstory but in previous posts you've talked about having a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. So it sounds like your CPN's concerns are valid. And you usually have to be quite unwell to have a CPN in the first place.

Booboobooboo84 · 22/08/2017 23:50

I think @calmday you just need to look at it another way.

Your dc are so precious to you I'm sure you would do anything for them especially to keep them safe.

You've been referred and in order to keep them safe physically and emotionally it's best to fully engage with SS.

Look at all the times children have been seriously hurt and everyone said I always thought something was up. You wouldn't want that for your children. Better to investigate more people and save more children than to not just to avoid offending someone

gonnabreakmyrustycage · 22/08/2017 23:54

YABU. She is referring you because if she didn't and due to coming off your meds something bad happened to you or your kids, it would be on her. It is her responsibility to alert people. If everything is okay then great.
Also 5 HTP is used a lot by drug users to help when they come down after the high. So maybe she is worried you are taking other drugs?