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DH is psychiatric clinic - did I do the right thing?

31 replies

WelcomeToMonkeyTown · 13/04/2024 07:39

I've posted about my DH before and had a lot of support, thank you. I'm sorry if this isn't the right place for this thread but I am full of guilt about my ND husband & I need a handhold.

He was diagnosed with ADHD 10 years ago but only started medication last year.

Previously his coping mechanisms have been to let me do everything & whilst I had my reasons, I feel I let myself by enabling him.

Since I stopped, and have been pushing him to actually do something himself; he has just spiralled. He cannot cope with being a half-decent father, an equal partner, an employee and living overseas. In the past what's fallen down is the father/partner element but since I put my foot down on this we have come to realise he just can't do all of them.

He's had time off work which helps short term but once back he can't cope. He's been pushing me to move back to the UK but I'm loathe to uproot our young kids from all they know, when I genuinely don't think he'd be any better there.

He started Ritalin in October but the mood swings were just horrific & it culminated in an episode where he was hitting himself in the head saying he wanted to die. In front of our 8yo.

He stopped the Ritalin and tried another medication but it's starting to go the same way. His anxiety is through the roof (checking blood pressure very hour, rattling every window and door every night to check it's locked, waking kids up to check they're breathing..) and he's just totally overwhelmed by simple tasks.

He has a psychiatrist for meds & 3 different psychotherapists, but he "doesn't feel they're helping". I feel this is because any time someone asks him to actually DO SOMETHING he can't. He's overwhelmed. But he doesn't tell them that. He just goes away and doesn't do it. And constantly complains to me that they aren't giving him the support he wants. But he isn't telling them what he wants. For example starting meds he didn't have a proper titration process - but he didn't ask for one! He also masks very well sometimes so I think a lot of the time they don't realise how bad he can be.

He is at the point where he is angry with me all for "not supporting him" but he can't tell me what that looks like. It feels like if I disagree with anything he says I am "starting arguments" and "not understanding his condition".

He hates himself. He hates the country we live him. He hates all the people in it as "no one will help him". He hates his job. I think he probably hates me and the kids sometimes, although he hasn't said it.

I came with him to our GP yesterday and said all this. I told the GP that he's twice said he wants to die. And both times I've had to physically hold him down to stop him hurting himself. But I'm getting to the point where I don't want him around my kids, and if he has one of these episode again when I'm not there, what will happen?

The GP has sent him straight to a residential psychiatric clinic. I don't know how long he'll be there. I feel torn between relief that he isn't here, thrilled that he might actually get some help, and also a huge guilt feeling that I'm locking him up. I keep thinking "is he really that bad", but he must be or they'd have sent him away.

Please someone tell me it will be ok

OP posts:
HundredMilesAnHour · 13/04/2024 10:36

You've done the right thing. He needs professional help. You've done all you can.

It sounds like there is much more to his 'illness' than 'just' ADHD to be honest.

PervOrNoPerv · 13/04/2024 11:33

I think you’ve done the right thing OP. Your husband has been crying out for help and that is what he is getting now. I’ve been in his situation and he will probably find it hard to admit to you or even to himself that he is glad to be getting help. Take some time to look after yourself while he is getting help xx

Mintyt · 13/04/2024 11:36

You have done the right thing, and now you need to breath and take a moment, hopefully your husband will get the help needed and you will get support too

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 13/04/2024 11:36

The GP sent him not you !, you only accompanied him to the GP.

LipstickLil · 13/04/2024 11:37

You've absolutely done the right thing and tbh if he doesn't get proper help I don't see how your relationship/him living with you and the kids can continue. It's just not safe or healthy, particularly for the DC. They absolutely should not be being exposed to a seriously mentally ill adult saying he's going to kill himself. Put them first, stop feeling guilty and start requiring that your DH addresses his issues like an adult (albeit a very unwell one), as a condition of your ongoing relationship/support.

Balloonhearts · 13/04/2024 11:39

Of course you've done the right thing. It's very very difficult to get admitted to a clinic if you don't need it. It has to be bloody bad. If they've taken him on, it's because he needed the treatment.

GoodOldEmmaNess · 13/04/2024 11:39

It wasn't you who sent him to the clinic. It was the GP. His difficulties are beyond what you and your children can manage at the moment and it is right & appropriate for you to stand down and let healthcare professionals take the necessary decisions.
I don't know what will be the right things for you to do going forward but for now accept that there is nothing you should be doing or can be doing, whilst other people with professional skills kick in and do their thing.
Take time to rest, care for yourself, breathe xxx

theduchessofspork · 13/04/2024 11:40

It sounds like everyone needs a break so right thing

However, this isn’t just ADHD. It can certainly lead to feeling overwhelmed, but something more is going on here.

Ticktapticktap · 13/04/2024 11:40

These aren't really ADHD symptoms, this is closer to bipolar, and you've definitely done the right thing OP.

sometimes mental illness is so chronic that he might never change and ultimately you need to protect your family, but I think what you've done is actually his only chance to get better. If you hadn't told the Dr this stuff, it almost certainly would've got worse and gone on for many more years

He'll be glad you did it eventually

Whataretalkingabout · 13/04/2024 11:45

You did the right thing for him. Now do the right thing for you and your children. Take care of you. Plan for his eventual return to your family, or not.

pikkumyy77 · 13/04/2024 11:49

You did the right thing. Sometimes the hospital/residential is the absolute right place for people. You have done everything you can and his needs are just greater than you can meet. He also needs to get a proper diagnosis and work with a team that is teally paying attention. Now that he has decompensated to this extent snd can’t mask , hopefully, they will give him a proper dx.

Quartz2208 · 13/04/2024 11:50

I have been the child here and you very much did the right thing, living with it did shadow my childhood. My mum did get better and came out stronger but not all do.

protect yourself and your children now

Octavia64 · 13/04/2024 11:52

This doesn't sound like "just" adhd.

Wanting to kill himself is not an adhd symptom.

He should have had a proper titration process regardless of whether he asked for it or not. Sounds like there is a lot more going on.

XMissPlacedX · 13/04/2024 11:57

I have also been the child of a parent with mental health difficulties and you have completely done the right thing. I would also say it's more than ADHD going on here. My dad got to the point where he admitted thinking about smothering us to 'protect us' from the dangers of the world ( although he only admitted this years after successful treatment). It all started with OCD and checking locks/ plugs etc constantly, then gradually got worse from when I was around 8 ( although that might just be when I could remember from). Sorry to scare you, but i just wanted to bring home how right the doctor was so admit him.

Elieza · 13/04/2024 11:59

Youve done the right thing.

You told the truth. That's all. That's right to do.

The medical professionals made the decisions using their experience to give him the best chance of recovery.

You're not responsible for their choices. Only your own ti tell the truth. You did well. Don't feel guilty. If it wasn't for you he'd be gone so now he has another chance to get well under full supervision, which might work. I do hope so.

Thepossibility · 13/04/2024 12:00

I honestly can't think of what you could have done better in this situation. Save your energy for you and the kids, you aren't equipped to deal with what's going on with him.

Mintyt · 13/04/2024 19:13

@WelcomeToMonkeyTown how are you

WelcomeToMonkeyTown · 14/04/2024 06:26

XMissPlacedX · 13/04/2024 11:57

I have also been the child of a parent with mental health difficulties and you have completely done the right thing. I would also say it's more than ADHD going on here. My dad got to the point where he admitted thinking about smothering us to 'protect us' from the dangers of the world ( although he only admitted this years after successful treatment). It all started with OCD and checking locks/ plugs etc constantly, then gradually got worse from when I was around 8 ( although that might just be when I could remember from). Sorry to scare you, but i just wanted to bring home how right the doctor was so admit him.

Oh gosh that's really scary, I'm sorry you had to go through that as a kid.

I am scared for how my kids are affected by him. He's always had OCD but it got worse when the kids were born. It's been something we clash over and it's hard to back down when we're talking about kid's safety. I know many of his "nightly checks" are ridiculous but he won't back down on it.

OP posts:
WelcomeToMonkeyTown · 14/04/2024 06:33

Mintyt · 13/04/2024 19:13

@WelcomeToMonkeyTown how are you

I'm ok thanks.

I'm exhausted - mentally and physically. Just to add an extra layer I'm currently on crutches so it isn't easy on my own.

Although it kind of IS easier on my own. The kids don't seem at all bothered that he isn't here, which is a good thing. But it's also a bit sad. It shows how little he is actually involved in their lives.

I spoke to him and he says he understands this is the right thing. Not a lot happens over the weekend at the clinic but hopefully Monday we'll know more about what's happening. It sounds like the doctors also think this isn't "just" ADHD. He's been minimising things for a long time so hopefully they can reassess him and get him on some medication.

OP posts:
Mintyt · 14/04/2024 10:11

Have a restful day and enjoy the day peacefully,

Mumdiva99 · 14/04/2024 10:27

Your husband sounds very poorly. His OCD is not controlled - it is controlling him. By allowing him to do his nightly checks you have been enabling him - which I fully understand. But doesn't encourage him to get better. He is absolutely in the right place.
I know you are overseas - but are you currently in England? If so has he been sectioned? Is he in a facility near to you? Can you afford private treatment because some facilities specialise in OCD and treatment. If you also suspect autism please do research OCD and Autism because many of the conventional therapies don't always work with ND patients.

You need to take a breather. Relax knowing he is safe at the moment.

WelcomeToMonkeyTown · 14/04/2024 13:34

Mumdiva99 · 14/04/2024 10:27

Your husband sounds very poorly. His OCD is not controlled - it is controlling him. By allowing him to do his nightly checks you have been enabling him - which I fully understand. But doesn't encourage him to get better. He is absolutely in the right place.
I know you are overseas - but are you currently in England? If so has he been sectioned? Is he in a facility near to you? Can you afford private treatment because some facilities specialise in OCD and treatment. If you also suspect autism please do research OCD and Autism because many of the conventional therapies don't always work with ND patients.

You need to take a breather. Relax knowing he is safe at the moment.

We live in Germany.

He is in a psychiatric clinic in the Black Forest.

I think (hope!) that he will be having a full assessment as I think there is a lot more going on than he thinks.

OP posts:
Mumdiva99 · 14/04/2024 19:34

Thinking of you, and him ❤️. Of all the countries you can be in - I would imagine the hospital is efficient and thorough.

I hope you got some rest today. Sending you strength to get through the next few days.

pikkumyy77 · 15/04/2024 12:15

WelcomeToMonkeyTown · 14/04/2024 13:34

We live in Germany.

He is in a psychiatric clinic in the Black Forest.

I think (hope!) that he will be having a full assessment as I think there is a lot more going on than he thinks.

Let us hope a “full court press” (basketball term) will help him gain some insight. No doubt ADHD felt like a less shameful diagnosis to him and he preferred it to OCD/suicidality but if he can listen to the doctors and get some hope then he may be able to accept some help.

MILTOBE · 15/04/2024 12:20

I'm sorry your husband is so ill. I can't imagine he'd have such swift treatment if he was here in the UK - it sounds as though they will get to the bottom of what's going on. I hope he makes a good recovery. Flowers