Need urgent help tomorrow for my son but from where?

[Amethystjade]

My son has been suffering from depression and anxiety for about two years now. He’s 19. He self harms and is taking Venlafaxine. The pills aren’t helping and his moods are so low he can’t cope and he has badly sliced his legs tonight and says he doesn’t want to be here any more. Does anyone know where I can go tomorrow to get him help? He has had CBT in the past and it hasn’t helped. He went to A&E for help last Wednesday because he felt so bad and after hours of waiting he saw a doctor who thought he might have a mix of bipolar and ADHD and said he would refer him to a PCW at our GPs but we’ve heard nothing since. He just needs help and a proper diagnosis I think. I’m terrified that I’m going to lose him so I need to do something fast. What do I do?

Call them. Go back. Take him to the emergency room immediately if he keeps self harming. I hate when medical professionals say they’ll do something & that’s the last you hear. You’ve just GOT to be persistent. I’m in America and we have a system called (I think) 5150 where the mentally ill person is hospitalized for 3 days immediately. And they’re taken to the hospital & cannot leave. They’re treated intensively. Is there anything like that where you live? Your son is extremely ill and needs help ASAP. I wish I was there to help you. My best advice would be to take him back to the ER immediately and describe everything & insist they help. I wish I could do more. The very best of luck to you - let us know. ❤️

Take him NOW. There might not be a tomorrow...

Agree with pp - A&E now, tonight.

Also - is there a suicide prevention phone you could call? Just google that & a toll free number will come up. They’ll have a number of resources for you, I’m positive.

Perfect. I’ll be thinking of you. Let us know. ❤️

Thank you. He’s sleeping now and has promised me that he won’t do anything and that he’ll let me try and get him help tomorrow. He’s so worn out I can’t put him through A&E tonight as it’s a crazy place at night. I just don’t know if I should call the doctor first tomorrow or go to A&E where we could end up waiting for hours

Oh dear. I’m so very sorry! Both my father and I had/have severe depression. I suffer from no motivation- I just do very little. My father took his life - suddenly & without one clue or anything. It was awful for us so I truly feel your feelings. Just to be on the safe side, perhaps a good idea would be to watch over him tonight. I do think it’s wonderful that he’s talking, sharing his feelings with you - that’s such a good thing. He knows he’s ill and wants to get better. That’s HOPE right there. He needs a psychiatrist or psychologist. Ask your doctor for a recommendation & referral.
For years I’ve suffered from this and while I don’t have any suicidal thoughts I do worry about it. Walking - if you can believe that - helps me. There’s something about exercise that gives me a boost. Good endorphins maybe. Also it takes a long time to figure out the right meds. But there are some really good ones for bipolar disorder like lithium. Just be persistent with the doctor. Pain in the fanny persistent. Keep a very close eye on your son & watch for changes - even slight ones. And good luck in the morning. Try the suicide prevention line for help too. My mum used to say Hang in there baby to me when I was scared or down or troubled- it always made me remember that the sun will come up tomorrow. Take everything one step at a time & watch over your son. Please let me know when you’ve got a minute. I’m here. Hang in there baby. ❤️

I can’t tell you how many antidepressants I’ve taken over the years - 10? 12? 15? Maybe more. None did much of anything. I’m currently taking the drug brand name Trintellex. It’s ok I guess but I’ve heard that there’s a nasal spray of ketamine. Ketamine is a scary thing to most doctors but the results have been very very positive. It’s only available in America from a few select doctors & was only approved recently by the federal drug administration. I don’t know if it’s available in the UK but that’s something that’s helped people who have had no luck with other drugs - I’d look into it. Heck I’d look into everything! 😉

Has your GP referred your ds to your local Crisis team? If so I would call them. Otherwise A&E I think.

www.rethink.org/advice-information/living-with-mental-illness/treatment-and-support/crisis-teams/

Venlafaxine when they upped the dose made me suicidal, an emergency med review and support while the new drug kicked made a huge difference. A&E tomorrow, keep a close eye tonight.

Thanks everyone. I’ve got him a doctors appointment and I’m going in with him. Let you know how it goes xx

Doctor suggested a referral to a private psychiatrist so we are organising that through our private healthcare insurance. Hopefully then he can get a diagnosis and go on to the proper medication xx

Great. I hope this psychiatrist will be able to pinpoint what meds will help the most and that the talk-therapy will be beneficial.
Keep us updated when you have a moment.
Best of luck!