Advice needed re first steps to help

[Fontleroy]

Someone close to me needs help, fairly urgently I think.

They’ve struggled for many years with their mental health and not wanted to seek help. They’ve abused drugs and alcohol and this has worsened already pretty bad issues.

Now something has happened which has devastated them, life changing really. They’ve reached out and asked for help in getting help. I’m proud that they’ve realised the impact this life event could have on their already fragile state and that they want to our steps in place to begin some sort of treatment/recovery.

I’m assuming the first step is GP appointment, they’ve asked me to attend with them. Would GP mind this? They’ve said they feel they won’t be able to tell the doctor just how bad things are.

I think the person is suffering from some form of psychosis, which I feel the gp needs to be aware of. I’m really wary of not being to articulate how urgent things are. I need it to be taken really seriously and some interventions in place pretty quickly.

I’m not sure what I’m asking really, just needing some reassurance and any guidance possible.

Hello,
The GP won't mind you accompanying them to the appointment of course not. I'd suggest making notes before you go so you remember to tell the GP everything, just as a reminder. You sound lovely and caring and they are lucky to have you as support. If you are very concerned about this person and their mental state, don't hesitate to seek immediate help.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/psychosis/symptoms/

Good luck OP. If you feel there is immediate serious risk the best thing to do is call an ambulance or go to A&E. They sound like they have insight which is a good sign

As others have said the best starting point would be the GP who may then make a referral to the local CMHT team

www.rethink.org/diagnosis-treatment/treatment-and-support/cmhts/accessing-cmht

Hope it works out

I would write things down and show your friend what you would like to say; make them part of the process.

Describe specific events/behaviours/things that have been said rather than "I think [friend] struggles with..."

How long it's been going on for.
How specifically things have changed very recently.

Be prepared to ask questions about next steps and to write them down eg who your friend will hear from, when, and how.

You sound really lovely and I hope your friend is able to access the professional help they need.

Thank you all, apologies for not returning sooner.

The person in question isn’t a friend, it’s actually my ex and dad of my dc.

I’m very aware of blurring boundaries with him and this is causing me a bit of personal conflict. I want him to get help, our child needs a better dad than he has been. I honestly think without support he will slip further but I feel like I’m stepping back into a place I don’t want to be for the sake of our child.

It’s very difficult, I’ll be at the GP appointment next week and then I’ll slowly retreat. I hope he is true to his word but honestly, I’m not holding my breath

Before you go write down what you think are the important things and make sure they get mentioned. Most GP appointments are short and you'll need to be concise yet detailed/accurate to make sure you get referred to the right place.

If you need immediate help for the person (or yourself, if the person's behaviour is dangerous) you can take them to a&e or call the police.

What makes it seem like the person has psychosis?

It’s quite identifiable so I’ll try not to give specifics but thinks people are watching him/his home. Thinks this huge thing that’s happened is part of a deeper plot.

Has deleted apps and certain things from phone to prevent “people seeing”. Thinks people are entering his home etc

It seems like a genuine belief

Sounds like he is having a psychotic episode. You' cannot really let your child go and stay with him alone if this is how things are the moment.
Hopefully the doc will prescribe an anti-psychotic medication or refer to a psychiatrist. Trust is going to be a massive issue. You being there as a person your Ex trusts will help. However, if it goes untreated much longer he may well stop trusting you and start suspecting you are 'in on it' as well.

Thank you seaweed

He’s already doubted my reaction I think.
Luckily DS spends very little time him, due to him being unreliable etc. No overnights for almost a year and even then they were few and far between. I’ve not really had to intervene that way yet but am ready to should need be