Being sectioned

[unique78]

Hi, someone I know has been given a section 2, so up to 28 days sectioned.

They were on level 3 check, so every 15 mins, but it was lowered to level 2, hourly checks, allowed to walk around grounds.

They then left the grounds and had failed suicide attempt (no harm incurred). Back on level 3 checks every 15 mins.

My question is this....they have there for approx 8 days, given new medication and then left, no therapy, saw the Doc a day later (when he was due to do his once weekly round anyway). No real discussion. Is this normal procedure? Shouldn't therapy be part of this? Or is my friend not metioning any therapy they may have had, I suppose that's a possibility.

Sorry for lack of details, but obviously this is not about me and a sensitive subject. I'm pretty worried about them.

Very normal. I’ve only once had any therapy and that was when I was in for 5 weeks, I saw a psychologist twice but then I came out so it stopped. But usually there is no therapy, you see the psych once a week on ward rounds, occasionally twice if you are lucky. I liken hospital to a holding pen, you come out much the same as you go in, in my experience!

Thanks Scutterbug...that's really shocking. I had this idea that if you were sectioned, you'd have intensive therapy to get to the bottom of what was going on, and come out in a much better state than you went in! What's the point otherwise? I just can't get my head around it.

My friend isn't a danger to anyone, but they are to themselves right now. They need proper psychological intervention and help. I really thought they were going to get it, but they don't seem to be.

I understand what people mean now when they say mental health services are in a bad way. I'm really sorry that was your experience too.

@unique78 yes it’s woeful. Last time I was sectioned (November) I barely saw anyone. I stayed in my room and staff didn’t come and see me, they just looked through the door window every 15 mins and carried in. I only had a conversation when I had my meds. So people come out and the cycle begins again. I hope your friend is ok, you sound very supportive x

Absolutely not in a NHS hospital I was on a section 5(2) then a section 2 then a section 3 I was offered no therapy at all op.

It was only when I moved to the priory that I was able to access therapy

Very unlikely to access therapy on an acute admissions ward. There are some wards that have a psychologist running sessions. But that is just some wards, and you have to be well enough to engage and there long enough to access it.

This is a really good website, lots of resources for managing different mental health conditions. Lots of info, and useful strategies.

https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/

If they are very depressed, they won't be able to focus/concentrate/be motivated to engage with self help. But if the meds do work, then hopefully they will be later on.

Mind, mental health charity, run programmes for people having mental health problems. It may be worth looking on the website local to you. There are in person and remote in put area.

It may be useful for them to engage with the mental health advocate. As they are detained on a section, they should have been offered this.

I agree with a PP that if they are unwell enough to warrant a section they are extremely unlikely to be well enough to engage in therapy.

Many people sectioned have the capacity to engage in therapy, I certainly did. It’s just not funded.

@Scutterbug , that's awful, I'm so sorry. I actually feel pretty angry about it because I've been telling my friend to make sure they tell the psych's everything and that they'll be 'fixed' (for want of a better word) while they're in there.

I hope you're ok now and getting ongoing treatment if you need it. I have been trying to support my friend, thankyou, I hope they'll be ok.

@Blueeyedmale , I'm so sorry that was your experience too. I'm glad you were able to access proper care, and hope you're ok now. A family member went to the Priory and it seems to be a million miles away from NHS 'care'. I know it cost my family member a lot of money!

Even in a private hospital, I think this us fairly standard. The main purpose of a section is to keep the patient safe, not to cure them.

Thank you it did help a lot especially with my eating disorder and long after discharge I still had to have therapy for many years after I still suffer with PTSD but I'm more aware now and understand that is probably something that will be with me for the rest of my life.

I agree the priory is stupidity expensive especially at the time as I needed edu inpatient treatment then went upstairs to the mental health ward.

I'm a lot better now it's sad to see the state of the mental health services these days so many people are needing help and not getting the help they need and those needing help are needing it younger too.

@AmserGwely , thank you for the info, i'll take a look at it and pass it on to my friend. I don't think they have had much success with self help, and have been unable to really advocate or access help properly for themselves due to severe anxiety when they are in a crisis. When they are reasonably ok they don't really look into anything and I don't like to mention it in case they think I think there's something wrong. It's difficult. Thanks again.

@Wolfiefan , Thanks, I'm pretty sure they are able to engage in and would welcome therapy at this point.

@BeaRF75 , I see what you mean, but outside help has been pretty thin on the ground. I will say that as my friend spiralled, they did not engage, which pretty much stopped any help.

That’s so shit.
Like fucking appalling.

My Drs are terrible. I cling on for my husband and my boys.

I am so sorry op to hear this and hugs to all having a shit time. Mental illness is torture .

@BananaSplitsss MH services just need such an injection of cash don’t they?