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Mental health

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Original poster

Daughter 21 refusing to take bipolar medication

49 replies

Lyinglow50 · 01/09/2018 12:09

My daughter has bipolar type 2. She normally takes her medication but 5 days ago she stopped taking all her medication. She managed to convince 2 GPs and a social worker in hospital not to detain her.

We are under the home team butI haven't contacted them as DD is asleep now. She was awake most of the night.

What happens to someone who suddenly stops all her medication?

If anyone can help I would really appreciate it. Thank you for reading.

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Original poster

Lyinglow50 · 01/09/2018 12:35

Apologies for bumping. I'm really worried. If anyone knows anything please message me. Thanks

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Randomname28 · 01/09/2018 12:38

I would suggest giving the home team a call yourself. Is this ihtt? Are they due out to visit any time soon?

annandale · 01/09/2018 12:41

Im really sorry to say this but yes it's a dangerous situation.

I'd contact her gp about the lack of sleep and any other symptoms. They are very unlikely to admit without symptoms (obviously) but also keep saying she has stopped all her medication. Her gp should be on her side which may mean sectioning her if things go really pearshaped. Get tge gp involved asap.

Original poster

Lyinglow50 · 01/09/2018 12:43

Thank you so much! I will ring the home team now and speak to them while she is still asleep. I really appreciate your replies, thank you.

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Original poster

Lyinglow50 · 01/09/2018 12:44

Yes it's the home intervention team.

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Bombardier25966 · 01/09/2018 12:45

What medication is it? Some can be dangerous if stopped suddenly, others not.

Is she a serious risk to herself or others?

In reality sectioning is rare because there are not the beds available to treat as an inpatient.

Original poster

Lyinglow50 · 01/09/2018 12:51

Home Treatment team. She's just woken up. I'm going to stay upstairs. Her behaviour was erratic last night and she was verbally aggressive towards me. I called the police in the early hours as she ran out of the house in pj's and no shoes. She came back herself.

All is quiet now. I will take it minute by minute.

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Original poster

Lyinglow50 · 01/09/2018 12:54

Lithium, an antidepressant that she calls venzar for short. She's also on a mood stabiliser.

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TokyoSushi · 01/09/2018 12:55

No advice OP but a hand hold, hope it all works out OK

Original poster

Lyinglow50 · 01/09/2018 12:58

Thank you very much Tokyo that's really kind of you.

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annandale · 01/09/2018 13:01

Lyinglow, be clear in your mind what you are worried about and what you would like to happen, and keep saying that. Are you calling the home treatment team? Verbal aggression, running into the night, no sleep all night - these are all very worrying. Are you afraid for your own safety?

I am going to have to leave the thread as this all brings back specific terrible memories for me. Don't be afraid to raise the alarm and to keep doing so. Always ask 'what do you mean?' 'Whats the plan if x happens?'

annandale · 01/09/2018 13:02

If there are no beds, that's not your responsibility. Don't try to make the best of things.

Original poster

Lyinglow50 · 01/09/2018 13:02

The Home team said I could ring them but she's quiet now because she just woke up.

I couldn't find the sheet with the contact numbers and asked DD if she had seen it. She became very suspicious. I played it down and told her I was just wondering where it was.

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annandale · 01/09/2018 13:04

What do you think would happen if you told her her behaviour has changed and you are very worried, you need advice and are going to call them anyway?

Notwhoyouthink35 · 01/09/2018 13:10

I’m so sorry you’re in this situation it really is horrible. I have had this sort of thing on and off for the last 5/6 years with my ex.

Unbelievably, it seems almost impossible to be sectioned nowadays. I have sat in a room with two doctors and my ex with him telling them that he’s going to kill him self and they still wouldn’t section him. I find the home team very unhelpful to be honest. I have no faith in our mental health care at all.

I have always found the police more helpful and if a patient is taken into hospital by the police they seem to take the danger they present to themselves more seriously.

Original poster

Lyinglow50 · 01/09/2018 13:40

Anna she would flip.out completely and probably leave the house ranting and raving at me.

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Original poster

Lyinglow50 · 01/09/2018 13:52

Not I'm sorry you had to deal with that. We have never used the HHT before. It will be interesting to see what happens if I need to ring them. The police were so so kind when they came to the house last night.

If anyone knows anything about the consequences of stopping lithium, antidepressants and mood disorder medication immediately I would very much appreciate if you could tell me what happened.

Online guidance states that she could have a psychotic episode. She is refusing point blank to take any medication. She says they are poisoning her. She needs to be in hospital. I'm amazed they didn’t section her.

Where will this end? I presume arrested by the police. This is going to be a long day.

Thanks again for posting I feel less alone now. I will just have to deal with this. It will be awful but I'm a lot calmer than when I first posted.

Thank God for mumsnet!

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Original poster

Lyinglow50 · 01/09/2018 14:03

Ana I was in such a state earlier that I couldn't read the posts properly. I am so sorry you've been through such a difficult time. You have been an incredible help to me today and I am so grateful.

Take care of yourself and thank you from the bottom of my heart x

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annandale · 01/09/2018 14:07

I am messaging you lying.

MercedesDeMonteChristo · 01/09/2018 14:11

Just wanted to hand hold. My brother has schizophrenia and stopped taking meds last year and it had been truly awful for him and everyone around him. The police have been involved many times. I have been you constantly calling on behalf of my parents and he actually has to hurt them or go into a diabetic coma for them to help. The system is broken. So broken.

Huge hand hold. Keep calling and don't be afraid to call in the police if that is the only option left to you.

erinaceus · 01/09/2018 14:53

Handhold @Lyinglow50

What reason did she give for stopping her medication suddenly?

In terms of what the consequences are, this is a question you could ask the IHTT.

Original poster

Lyinglow50 · 01/09/2018 15:13

mercedes I'm very sorry you have had to go through this and thank you for telling me about your brother. I hope things are improving for him.

erin you were a great help to me last year and it's nice to see your name popping up. She said the doctors are evil and they are trying to poison her.

She's up and about now and agitated. The HHT said to ring the police. I will sign off now.

I sincerely hope that my post did not trigger anybody. I just panicked and had no one to talk to. I realise now that I should have put a trigger warning on my post. I am sorry for everyone who has had this experience.

Thanks to everyone for all your support and kind words. Anna I will check my messages as soon as I can. I will post an update later.

I hope that everyone has as nice as day as possible x

My daughter is

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Onemorewonthurt · 01/09/2018 15:22

I'm surprised you say she wasn't sectioned. I work in a psychiatric hospital where we regularly admit patients whose risk has increased due to non compliance with medication.

Definitely follow the advice of HTT by contacting the police. Make them aware you are unable to contain her at home and she requires a place of safety.

Good luck op

WhyDidIEatThat · 01/09/2018 15:36

Sorry you’re going through this, have been through similar as a parent and I’ve also stopped lithium and antipsychotics myself abruptly in the past - obviously lived to tell the tale. Usually would resume in hospital where they can check levels regularly, and wouldn’t be discharged until back in the therapeutic range and thinking/functioning more normally. This would be a difficult thing to manage at home 💐

Original poster

Lyinglow50 · 02/09/2018 09:14

All quiet here. She slept all night and is still asleep. One she told 2 GPs and a social worker she wasn't suicidal so they didn't detain her. Apart from sleeping a lot she seems OK. She was antagonist but I am just being normal and she's given me up trying to bait me.

Why I am hoping she sees sense and does what you did and goes back on her medication. I will keep contacting crisis team and and try to get urgent appointment with her GP on Monday. Could you tell me how you felt when you stopped taking your medication. If you don't want to revisit that time please don't feel you have to.

Thanks to everyone who posted and messaged me.

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