So. What exactly is the plan when a schizophrenia patient refuses to take any meds?

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

As in, what can the local mental health team actually do?

This is my brother btw. I know they can't force him. He is newly diagnosed and doesn't believe there's a problem.

He has recently been referred to the local mental health team, who seem concerned, but I'm just wondering what their plan might be.

I will phone to talk to them but what would you expect at this stage?

the team will try to employ a variety of techniques to engage him, so even if he's not taking meds they can still monitor his mental health and offer non-pharmacological interventions.

Your input would be invaluable in informing them as to what kind of approach is more likely to work, and what not to do or say.

if he denies them any access at all, then it's watchful waiting, I'm afraid, until he reaches the threshold for compulsory treatment.

So would you expect the mental health team to stay in touch? (It would be my mum they contact, rather than me)

The "variety of techniques" and non pharmacological interventions - what kind of thing?

I think they are trying to help him to claim some kind of incapacity benefit, but of course he won't fill out the form cos he believes there's nothing wrong.

And when you say "compulsory treatmen" you mean sectioning?

I would expect them to try very hard to engage him, but ultimately it depends on how busy the team is.

In terms of how they might engage him, it all depends on what he wants. Perhaps he needs some physical health input which they can co-ordinate, counselling/therapy/stress management, or a support worker to assist with getting out and about, or a low-cost or free gym pass - all depends on what resources there are in your area. Although if he is refusing support which could get him an increased income then he probably is going to be hard to reach.

If someone is not engaging though, the team really should monitor from afar, keeping in touch with family/gp where concerns persist. And yes, ultimately he could be sectioned, but there's quite a high threshold indeed for that, and all other avenues need to be exhausted first.

Thanks Pauline.

I guess we just have to be patient. I'll try to call the mental health team again and see what else they might want us to do to help.

One thing I'd recommend is reading a book called 'I am not sick I don't need help' by Xavier Amador. Helps a lot in trying to understand some of this.

Thanks luce, I'm going to have a look for that. Have looked at the author briefly on google and could be interesting. Thank you.

Hello MaryMotherOfCheeses I think I can help here not sure. My dad has suffered with schitzophrenia for 15 + years now. It took ages for someone to decide my dad had schitzophrenia. He got given anti depressant drugs at first I went to the docs with him and told him hes not behaving like hes depressed. Dad did not take them. I was in contact with where he worked as there was stuff going on due o the illness. Dad got suspended from work and I told the doc this he sent him for an evaluation he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Dad like most patients who have this illness though that was nothing wrong and could not see what all the fuss was about. Dad was sectioned for a 48 hr section as the psycologist said this might be a good idea to monitor him. This they did, then went to another section and this kept him for 3 months. Dad improved and was let back home. We had endless forms to fill in dad could not fill them in he was ill. Dad would relapse and was sectioned every year as he would not take his meds as he thought he was ok. Only in the last 4 years has dad not been re sectioned due to changes in meds given as I asked for it to be changed (I worked for a drugs company that made a drug for schitzophrenia). Im afraid we had to push for it as the NHS will give cheapest drugs first this means tablets telling a schizophrenic to take tablets is no good they start then think they are ok so stop then go downward re sectioned and on and on. Not the case for everyone. I think you and your mum need to monitor the situation with your brother and if hes getting worse or your worried you need to get the mental health team to do something. Im sorry but maybe sectioned. Its horrible the first time. The first time with my dad I did all my housework in half an hour due to nerves and worry. I knew it was going to happen dad did not. But it was for the best. If you need to know anything drop me a line hope this waffle helps...