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Child mental health

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Doctors want to section my 13yo daughter

9 replies

Michemash · 14/06/2019 13:52

My daughter was admitted to an CAMHS MH unit early April. Primarily for her own safety following an increase in her risk to herself and having started taking to absconding and finding herself in dangerous situations (bridges/ high places/ roads etc). She has extremely high anxiety and probably depression. ASD has been ruled out although she does exhibit triats around the social difficulties experienced by some sufferers. At our recent review on Monday our lead consultant has decided her risk has been reduced based on the fact she's been out of the unit for coffee with friends and not absconded. We asked for more detail about how exactly her risk was assessed and the basis on which they felt it had reduced as we pointed out the risk of absconding was never there hen she was enjoying time with friends and only in moments when alone and having suicidal ideation. As a result of the meeting our daughter then absconded whilst out with staff a few days later and had to be restrained. They are now pursuing a course of action to potentially Section her under the mental health act claiming her risk had now gone to 'very high' and the risk to staff. Her risk is no different from that that it was on admission but as the consultant has failed to properly risk assess her she has now done something deliberately to make them see they were wrong but this was not a change in her current risk. Can anyone advise where I stand as a parent on this (there's so much to wade through on the internet) as I'm terrified their actual aim is to remove parental consent and daughter from the unit as they find her 'difficult'. To be clear she has co-operated with staff whilst there, although does have angry outbursts as this is part of her MH problems and takes her meds they finally put her on having done nothing for the first 4-5 weeks. She has continued to self harm terribly,in many ways, despite being on 15 minute obs throughout her time there.

OP posts:
dinosaurmommy · 14/06/2019 21:55

Unfortunately, I don't have any experience or anything to add however I'm sure somebody will be along soon to help you so just bumping this for you.

I hope your daughter gets the support she needs, in the right way.

Thanks
JMax4 · 14/06/2019 22:07

I’m not a psychiatrist, only a paediatrician. It sounds like she needs some different help maybe a more specialist inpatient unit? You could ask for a second opinion? Can you afford private at all? I don’t often recommend private but sometimes private therapy can be very helpful because it is about finding a therapist that fits with your child (and isn’t going to make you feel powerless)!

TitianaTitsling · 14/06/2019 22:13

Her risk is no different from that that it was on admission but as the consultant has failed to properly risk assess her she has now done something deliberately to make them see they were wrong sorry, do you mean she wasn't happy to be seen as 'low risk' so did something purposely dangerous so they would class her as 'high risk'?

Michemash · 15/06/2019 10:54

Virtually, yes. Her 'thing' is absconding and then putting herself in danger. She hasn't tried to abscond when out on a walk or to coffee shop whilst with visitors or staff and this was the only indicator the Dr. specified as being seen as a reduction in her risk - she used no other indicators and couldn't even specify why she thought this when it was pointed out this wasn't the times she would have absconded before admittance. She said this in front of daughter so she might as well have literally challenged her to do it! As a result, two days later, the next time she went out with staff she ran off and they had to chase and restrain her and NOW they want to section her because of it.

OP posts:
OhTheRoses · 15/06/2019 11:34

You need an expert to advocate on behalf of your daughter. If you can afford it I would suggest a specialist solicitor.

1stepforward2back · 15/06/2019 13:15

Unfortunately, your DD is now considered a higher risk of absconding. It is just how risk assessments work. To explain using other risk assessment scenarios, a house that has previously flooded is considered to be at higher risk of flooding in future than one that hasn't. Someone who has previously taken an overdose is considered to be at a higher risk of potentially taking another compared to someone who hasn't. Using my last example, if said person undergoes treatment and then doesn't take an overdose despite being in a situation where they could have their risk is reduced. If they then do take another overdose their risk increases again. I am not comparing your DD to either of these scenarios just explaining how risk assessments work.

I would second an advocate.

GColdtimer · 15/06/2019 19:07

Just bumping as I know OP and also asking how you go about getting an advocate?

1stepforward2back · 15/06/2019 21:07

OP should ask someone involved in her DD's care - psychiatrist, key worker, case/care co-ordinator, whoever she feels most able to discuss it with. They should signpost.

GColdtimer · 16/06/2019 14:29

thank you

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