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Mental health

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Original poster

Sister took an overdose

18 replies

headsamess21 · 25/09/2021 22:22

And is in hospital in an induced coma. I think she's going to be okay but obviously all over the place atm worrying !
I know hospital are going to refer her to the mental health team on Monday, I'm just wondering does this mean she's going to be sectioned, does anyone know what usually happens in this situation ?

OP posts:

PlanDeRaccordement · 25/09/2021 22:29

So sorry your sister is in hospital and feeling so bad. I think whether she will be sectioned will depend on how things go between her and the mental health crisis team. There are some conditions where in patient can make it worse, so impossible to say until they can properly assess her. Hopefully you will be able to visit her soon.

BrimfulofDipper · 25/09/2021 22:31

Firstly, she will need to be assessed by the MH team. Being sectioned is the last resort. She may be offered a bed as a voluntary patient in a psychiatric unit, if beds are available, that is. If she is deemed to be a danger to herself, then she could possibly be sectioned for a short time. I am so sorry you are going through this, but just be there to give her your support. It could make all the difference to her.

CharlieBrown65 · 25/09/2021 22:32

I have been in this exact position if you want to message me. My sister didn't end up staying in hospital for long - around 4 days and then discharged. Felt so sorry for the hospital as they were not equipped to deal with these situations at all. Such a lack of funding!

Theworldishard · 25/09/2021 22:39

Does your sister have a diagnosed mental health condition?
Sectioning is the last resort. It tends to be for those who are psychotic or have lost touch with reality.
If your sister regrets it and accepts ongoing support from the community mental health team, I guess it may be unlikely she will be sectioned.

Original poster

headsamess21 · 25/09/2021 22:41

Honestly I'm just shocked I think atm, we knew she wasn't well in herself as she's an alcoholic but it's always so hard getting her to open up as she always minimises everything, also she has social services involved so now I'm worrying her dd will be taken away! A member of the public found her unconscious and there was a note. She does need help so I really hope the mental health team will see through it as I know she will play it down

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Original poster

headsamess21 · 25/09/2021 22:42

Nothing diagnosed but she clearly isn't well. She's always been very impulsive and drinks way too much, she suffers from bad anxiety too

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XenoBitch · 26/09/2021 00:27

Sectioning is last resort and to stop someone hurting themselves. Sounds harsh, but seeing as your sister has already tried to harm herself, then sectioning/hospital would be of little benefit unless she recovers and expresses wishes to harm herself again.

douliket · 26/09/2021 00:33

No it is not necessarily the best option for her to be sectioned. The mental health team will see and assess her monday, I'm presume she is in an induced coma to help her liver recover. Don't even be surprised if they discharge her on Monday.
Mental health services are awful, very under resourced, sectioning would really be last resort.
If she chooses to tell the team that she regrets taking the overdose and that she is not actively planning to attempt suicide in the future,they will discharge her and see her as an outpatient.
So many people, sadly, are taking overdoses every day,each person will be assessed on a person to person basis.
I'm sorry to hear that you are in this situation and am sorry for your poor sister

FusionChefGeoff · 26/09/2021 08:41

Does she admit that she's an alcoholic? If she sees this as a rock bottom please point her towards AA they saved my life. She can ring the National helpline and then they will arrange for a lady who is local to call her back to chat and see if she'd like to go to a meeting.

In my experience and in a LOT of the stories I've heard from other members, the NHS is not set up to help with people who have alcoholism at the root of their mental issues. It's impossible to deal with anything whilst in active alcoholism so the most important thing is try to support her in getting sober.

Having said all that, if she won't admit it then you can't do anything for her.

At that point - you can call Al Anon who support families and friends of alcoholics.

Original poster

headsamess21 · 26/09/2021 11:13

She has admitted it recently but is reluctant to get help due to social services and thinking they will take her dd away. She is in a relationship with someone. There had been domestic violence on both parts, but he is a game player he makes her think she's the problem and the one to blame and then she will say it's all her. Don't get me wrong she has issues that go beyond the alcohol but she won't seek help.
She is okay today anyway but has refused to see or speak to anyone, this has come from her partner. I'm just so worried as she will go back to him, carry on drinking and nothing will get better. I really really hope the mental health team see through her and realise she's not well

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Original poster

headsamess21 · 27/09/2021 10:59

Just an update. She is physically okay but it's refusing to talk to anyone but her partner. I'm abit annoyed to be honest as my mom had to identify her whilst she was hooked up to a ventilator and it's really shook her up but she won't speak to her at all

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purpleboy · 27/09/2021 11:17

Are the MH team getting involved?

Original poster

headsamess21 · 27/09/2021 11:26

@purpleboy yeah she's going to be seen by them today apparently and it looks like she'll be in for another couple of days maybe. This is what the nurse has said. But yesterday apparently she was told she'd be going home today and have to attend cbt sessions, surely that's not enough for what's happened ? Not sure if it was just said to keep her calm

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purpleboy · 27/09/2021 11:42

I don't know the process well enough, but if they say the right things sometimes they can get themselves discharged with little to no intervention. I hope this won't be the case for your sister.
I deal with something similar with my brother and my only advice to you is to step back from it. You can't control it or change it, only she has the power to do that. Getting involved often leads to more pain and hurt, if she only wants her partner leave her to it, it's so very hard but for your own sanity you can't allow yourself to get dragged down by her actions.

Original poster

headsamess21 · 27/09/2021 12:01

@purpleboy I think she's clever enough to say the right things as well, she does know how to work people. I know that sounds cruel but she can be manipulative to get what she wants.

I'm sorry you have been through similar with you brother, and I do agree with stepping back, my partner has told me the same thing. I think I just get mad as she often does things that get her into bad situations but will take no responsibility, and it's always someone else fault, and then we get pushed out and don't hear a peep from her until the next thing happens. It's just a constant cycle of worrying and waiting for the next thing.
Thank you

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purpleboy · 27/09/2021 12:46

Yep sound so similar, I was stuck in a cycle of "trying to help" for a good few years, it was heartbreaking and took every bit of strength to finally realise he wasn't taking anything on board and the only thing he wanted was drugs and alcohol, he ended up living on the streets for 4 years because he refused to get help.
It's the hardest thing in the world walking away from them, but I had to do it for my own sake.
You'll get there in your own time, it's so hard watching them destroy themselves and being powerless to stop it.
I really hope she gets the help she needs, but unless she wants it, then unfortunately she won't do it. The cycle repeats until she hits her rock bottom and then she will reach out. I really feel for you it's such a distressing situation to be in.

Original poster

headsamess21 · 27/09/2021 16:57

@purpleboy gosh that's awful, it must've been hard to walk away but atm I really understand why you had to do it.
She is out now and home but still refusing to talk to any of her family so I'm not sure what else we can do other than leave her to it. To be honest i have my own stuff going on and need to concentrate on that now.

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purpleboy · 29/09/2021 12:05

How's your sister doing? Have you had any contact with her? X

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