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Original poster

Initial assessment with Acute Mental Health Team

29 replies

Grumpbum123 · 30/07/2018 15:38

Anyone have any experiences I have my initial appointment after an attempted OD at the weekend. Just trying to work out what to expect? Will they want to know about any further plans I have made? This weekend was an accidental failure.

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unweavedrainbow · 30/07/2018 15:48

Have you had any contact with MH services before? Broadly speaking, in most areas, the AMHT see you for an initial assessment appointment to assess how ill you are. If you are extremely unwell/considered an imminent risk to yourself (on that note, they will most definitely want to know about any new plans) there's a chance they will recommend hospitalisation. If you're not hospitalised, then they will keep seeing you very frequently (daily/every other day at least) over the next few weeks until you can be passed over to the CMHT for longer term treatment and support. While you're under AMHT they might get you started on some medication or make suggestions for what kind of help you could benefit from in the future. You will probably see a psychiatrist if you don't currently have a diagnosis or you need a new medication. In a nutshell, the AMHT is really there to keep very unwell people safe until they can be supported longer term. I hope this helps Flowers

Original poster
Grumpbum123 · 30/07/2018 15:50

It does thank you.
I’m on meds but currently been under my GP

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unweavedrainbow · 30/07/2018 15:56

It sounds like you might need your meds upping or changing altogether? Also, it sounds like you might need more support than you can get from your GP. A lot of mentally ill people do and there's nothing wrong with that. The AMHT is in a position to provide as much help as you need-that's what their there for. Are you safe right now? Are you still suicidal? I know how frightening this is hugs

Original poster
Grumpbum123 · 30/07/2018 16:00

Not right now I have a week to get a few things in order. H and kids are away I’ve a week to batch cook, get their winter wardrobe in order and tie up a few loose ends. I understand this doesn’t sound rational which is why I might need to tell them

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unweavedrainbow · 30/07/2018 16:12

Please tell them. You don't sound well at all. It's good that you recognise that you're not thinking rationally. You really do need some help.

Original poster
Grumpbum123 · 30/07/2018 16:17

It all seems to make sense and I feel quite a peace with my decision I know I will need to tell them though as I promised myself when I initially sought help I would not lie

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Mrswalliams1 · 30/07/2018 16:26

Please be honest with them. I lost my dad at a young age (not suicide) and its had a huge, negative impact on us to this day. Your children need you. I now it may not seem like it at the moment but please don't leave them. Youll ruin their lives. Be honest and get help. You can get better x

Original poster
Grumpbum123 · 30/07/2018 16:31

Thank you I will be honest I can’t lie anyway 🙈

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Deadheadstickeronacadillac · 30/07/2018 21:24

Dearest @Grumpbum123 please be honest with them about how you feel, they are there to help. I know you feel at peace with this decision, but you will leave a gaping hole in the lives of your family.
Suicidal ideation is transitory and all you have to do is get through each 5 minutes. Use anything as a distraction...I binge watch tv shows (NCIS is current fave). You do have to keep fighting and it is so so hard to do but you can.
I kept everything from my husband and I was overdosing every other day. It was a form of Russian roulette, I thought one of the overdoses would get me! My entire life fractured, I liken it to a vase that smashed to the floor and I am putting it back together. I have had suicidal thoughts since I was 6 and even then tried to act on it. At the moment I am so pleased I am here, but I know I will feel like that again all day, everyday. Now however I have people around me I trust, who when I tell them how bad I feel, don't judge me, don't panic about me, they just help me to look after myself.
My darling girl you are here for a reason and we want you to stay on this planet with us, I have never met you but please know that I am thinking of you and sending all my love and hugs your way. xxxx

fantasmasgoria1 · 31/07/2018 15:21

You have to be honest with them. Before my diagnosis and getting a psychiatrist I took a couple of overdoses and massive amounts of self harm . They saw me and told me I would be ok with care from my gp. It took a suicide attempt etc before getting taken seriously . Be totally honest and perhaps write everything down as it’s easy to forget things. I wrote every feeling, every mental health symptom I have , how it affects my day to day life etc they will ask you if you have any more plans and if you are feeling suicidal right now , if you are tell them that. I’m really sorry you are going through this and I hope you get the support you need.

Original poster
Grumpbum123 · 31/07/2018 15:37

I was honest going to be kept under the care of the AMHT and they are coming to see me daily

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fantasmasgoria1 · 31/07/2018 16:01

Are the crisis team visiting?

Deadheadstickeronacadillac · 31/07/2018 17:58

Well done @Grumpbum123 you've been incredibly brave, keep going xxx

Original poster
Grumpbum123 · 31/07/2018 18:15

I think they’re the same people @fantasmagoria1 I think tomorrow they want to discuss me handing over the collection of pills I had planned to use. I’m really hesitant to do so as it’s like a comfort blanket they’re there if I need them

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fantasmasgoria1 · 01/08/2018 07:31

I totally get what you mean about them being a comfort blanket but I you should just give them the tablets. It’s obvious you are being taken seriously. Make sure you get a referral to a psychiatrist in the community because you will need support when the crisis team eventually discharge you.

Original poster
Grumpbum123 · 01/08/2018 14:32

They’ve gone, all my back up meds

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fantasmasgoria1 · 01/08/2018 15:15

How do you feel about that?

Original poster
Grumpbum123 · 01/08/2018 16:28

empty

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KetoME · 01/08/2018 16:35

@Grumpbum123 Flowers

You'll look back on that decision with huge relief one day. I know you can't see it now. Best of luck lovely. Be kind to yourself & to your children.

KetoME · 01/08/2018 16:36

And I'm going out but keep talking to people on here Brew

Bombardier25966 · 01/08/2018 16:43

Have you got anything to distract yourself Grumpbum123?

I understand your feelings on no longer having the drugs there, and the peace you described. The forward plans you'd made for the family, can you use them to keep yourself busy, they are helpful with you still here too.

Original poster
Grumpbum123 · 01/08/2018 17:33

I’ve got good support at the minute I just can’t see past the day I was going to go. I’m just taking it one hour at a time. I’m having daily visits from the crisis team at the minute.

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fantasmasgoria1 · 01/08/2018 20:29

when I had attempted suicide and I came home I had the crisis team and they were good with prescribing extra medication such as diazepam and zopiclone. These took the edge off a little. Has anything been offered to you? I watched tv series, read so many books, anything to keep me busy. It didn’t always work and the anxiety took hold but it helped a bit. I really wish there was something I could do to help you I really do!

Original poster
Grumpbum123 · 02/08/2018 03:44

Yes I have had Zopiclone I took 7.5mg last night and I’ve slept from 2200-3. Now watching TV picking up some diazepam tomorrow

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Deadheadstickeronacadillac · 02/08/2018 14:06

How are you getting on today @Grumpbum123?