Can I section myself? What are my options?

[notcopingwithlife]

My mental health is so bad I can't cope anymore. I'm fairly sure I can't just walk into a mental health facility and ask for an evaluation

I think I have a disorder that is causing me mental health problems as a result but I can't get anywhere with a doctor with this

I've been putting on a front that I'm fine, hiding my struggles to appear normal on the surface and at work when I can't function properly - I don't even stress myself or shower often

Life feels so overwhelming I can't care for myself and just feel like I dint fit in and the world would be better without me

I'm not going to do anything stupid but what are my options - I understand nhs is at breaking point but I feel like I have no support, going round in circles with the doctors and can't even get an appointment with them until march

It feels like the only way someone will listen to me is if I actively try to end my life and it shouldn't have to come to that - I can't think straight, my partner is great but he isn't around tonight and I can't be a burden to him all the time

Has anyone else been here, please tell me how I go forwards. I think I have adhd as tick every box but suffering with anxiety, depression and general unstable feelings as well, struggling to relate to the world and feel like I just don't belong

It didn't used to be this bad - I think I've reached my breaking point and I can't go on anymore like it

Sorry you're feeling so bad. What do you mean when you can't get anywhere with a doctor. Do you mean your GP or have you been seen by a mental health team?
What disorder do you think you have?
You could refer yourself to your local crisis team. (Call 111 they would connect you)
Or another option is to go to A&E and tell them you have reached breaking point. You would likely be assessed by a psychiatric liaison worker. They might then refer you to an appropriate team that can help you.

Thank you, that's not a bad idea

I mean the gp, have been going around in circles with them for months

I know I have ADHD but think there is more going on as well

I’m so sorry you’re feeling like this 💐.

Try to take things one step at a time, if you can take time off work etc via annual leave or sick leave then make sure to do so.

It is possible to indicate that you need sectioned for your own safety, however if possible I’d advise against it because often mental health wards are not particularly nice places to be. My mother still has post traumatic stress from her time in a mental health ward.

In terms of short term help, try ringing up the Samaritans, 111 or any other talk service if you feel it may help. A&E is an option but I’m not sure how helpful they would be. Take it hour by hour at the minute if you can. Could you reach out to friends or family? Sometimes it helps not to be alone.

I hope you feel better soon 💐

I’m in the same situation. I have packed a bag and am just going to go out tomorrow and not come back. I don’t want to be at home, when I’m out I want to go home. I know I need help, but there isn’t any. I’m a burden too, no one can cope with me as I’m so angry all the time. I hope you get the help you need.

Hello op. I am really sorry you are feeling this way. You write very eloquently and sound as though you have good insight in to your situation.

I am not an HCA so please feel free to ignore what follows but I do have some experience of this area through a family member and a colleague. I am sorry to sound negative but my relative found being in a mh facility quite a frightening experience and that it was more of a holding station than a calm, therapeutic place in which to recover. However, I do know someone who accessed emergency help by walking in to a police station and they were sectioned voluntarily and given emergency medication and therapy in a special unit for a couple of nights which led to more long term out-patient treatment. Despite suffering quite severe mh issues, they were expected to play quite an active role in their own treatment and take responsibility for their ongoing recovery. In summary, sorry if this sounds harsh, but sectioning yourself might not be the experience that you imagine it to be, even if it were possible.

It's not at all easy ATM but a better way forward might be to seek assessment for mood disorders or neurodiversity or mh conditions through an emergency appointment via your GP if you could ask for a second opinion or see a different doctor in the same practice? Or save up for a private assessment via a licensed psychologist? I'm sorry because all of this takes a lot of motivation which you may not feel you have ATM. Perhaps your partner could help you with this to follow a set of concrete steps towards assessment? Most people are very happy to help people to help themselves.

In the meantime the following resources may be helpful:

SANEline is open between 4pm to 10pm, 365 days a year Call 0300 304 7000

www.sane.org.uk/who-we-are/sane-mental-health-charity-vision-aims-mission

www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/

I am sorry if this response sounds negative but I think it's more realistic to seek out-patient treatment if you possibly can hang on. If not please ignore this post and reach out for emergency help.

Good luck with the next steps and please keep reaching out for help. If I may speak as someone who has experienced suicide within the family, the world or those close to you will definitely not feel better without you. You have unique qualities which are valued by others. We all need to reach out for help at times and asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness. Good luck with your next steps.

I am so sorry Throwncrumbs please please seek some emergency help. It's a disgrace that there are not more easily accessible resources available. Please, please seek some emergency help and don't give up until someone responds.

Evening.
We're just bobbing on here to say that we're so sorry to hear you're going through this, OP.
We hope you don't mind, but when these threads are flagged to us we like to link to our web-guides, which we hope may be helpful. If you'd like to, please do feel free to take a look at our Mental Health page.

Very best wishes from all at MNHQ

I agree you need help, but doubt you meet the criteria for an admission (and equally doubt you’d get the help you need that way). If I saw you in A&E id probably recommend to your GP that they start medication, and refer you for therapy. I may or may not refer you for crisis MH treatment at home depending on my assessment.
if your GP isn’t helping, can you see a different GP at the practice? If not, or if the wait is too long maybe see if you can get an OOH GP appointment via 111 online.

No, you can't section yourself.

The first port of call would be your GP. He is the one who would assess you, advise on treatment options/therapy, and, if necessary, make a referral to other mental health services. What exactly has your GP said/done?

OP where are you? If you are in England you may be able to self-refer for therapy, starting with a general assessment of your mental health. This can help with issues like depression and anxiety.
But for ADHD you need a referral to specialist service. The waiting lists to be assessed can be very very long (think 1-2 years). Your GP needs to refer you and if they have not helped you so far, try and see another GP in your practice. If you want something to happen faster then you might have to go private.

Thank you everyone - and sorry to hear you're feeling the same way, throwncrumbs. I hope you're able to get some support from someone, I can relate to everything you said

I phoned a friend and did speak to them about how I was feeling, which is unusual for me but it did help. I appreciate all of your advice, it sounds as though my idea wasn't practical so I will try to soothe myself and consider my options

The ADHD is very stressful, as it's very under funded and despite actually having private insurance they don't want to touch it as it's considered an exclusion - but because it's linking to mental health issues it may be possible to get a referral, there is just so much red tape and the adhd makes that really hard to handle on top

Saving to go private another way might be my next best choice but I think even private has 6 month waitlists. I'm not sure if I need an adhd assessment or a full psych evaluation- or if they can be combined

I'm so unstable as I can settle myself for a few hours, even a day or so, but then I swing back around again. I'm not bipolar and don't think I've got a personality disorder - not claiming to be an expert though obviously, I just think the neurodiversity is playing a big part and I need some therapy as a first step to help me cope

I am a bit wary of medication - particularly for adhd though they don't easily hand it out anyway, but also general anti depressants, I dont think they'll work as they can't fix my underlying problem

I just feel quite lost and like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place - the steps to get better are so overwhelming right now

Thank you all for taking the time to reply I really appreicate it

Hi op I wouldn't be so dismissive of medication for ADHD. Obviously you'll need a thorough assessment but I know someone with ADHD whose life has been transformed by meds. He is now able to hold down a job and no longer suffers terrible lows. His mood and focus are on a much more even keel.

Being on an acute mental health ward will do nothing to help your ADHD. Are there any self referral mental health services in your area (taking therapies etc)?