Husband detained under the mental health act

[Concernedabouthubby]

Hi just that really. DH was prescribed sertraline for depression yesterday. He took a tablet yesterday and this morning, then went out and called the police asking for the children to be taken into care. I called the police immediately to go and find him which they did very quickly. They detained him under the MHA for assessment. I'm not sure what to expect from here or how this us going to go.

Hello. Sorry to read this thread, it must incredibly distressing for you and I feel for you. Someone said unthread you're likely in shock- I'd agree.

I wanted to share my experience. At the start of the year, out of nowhere I went into psychosis having never experienced anything like it before. It took everyone by surprise as I was well and then I was off my head in another world. I was sectioned for 6 months and it's the best thing that could have happened, although it was awful at the time, I was constantly texting my OH saying I thought they were trying to kill me, I thought I was going to die etc. The pressure I put on them all, my parents etc too, I hate thinking of it. However they stabilised me on meds, sorted my brain out and got me well.

Wishing you both all the best. If you have any questions on what it's like to go through it on the other side, I'm happy to answer them.

@Barberries thank you so much for telling me your story. This sounds exactly like what has happened to my DH. He wasn't fine exactly. He has always suffered from low level anxiety but this tip into full blown suicidal thoughts was so sudden I still don't know what to think. Sometimes I think he'll get well. Sometimes I think I don't want him home because he tried to get our children taken into care, I stress when I hear from him and stress when I don't. He's been moved closer today so I'm going to take him some clothes and things tomorrow. What would you have liked in hospital? I'm taking some books and his wireless headphones
So are you really back to normal now? Do you still have to take meds? What else works?

Hello. Yes, I'd consider myself well now although I have not gone back to work and probably won't for a while as I'm taking things gently. I am on meds (antipsychotics) and won't come off them ever as I never want it to happen again.

I understand your worries. It's a stressful time for the loved ones. I can only say to take things one day at a time, things change quickly when it comes to mental health. And knowing he has a home to come home to and work towards may be really important to him. Also I forgot to say that I don't remember a significant portion of that 6 months, my brain was on another planet so it's all gone or hazy.

My favourite things were my own pillow, snacks and a water bottle, and soft clothes and crocs. Headphones are good and books/activities although I wasn't well enough to do anything for quite a while.

@Barberries hello again, DH has been put in anti psychotics and mood regulators for severe depression. Is that what you had? He has a hospital note to keep him in for approx 4 weeks so I'm just taking it ine day at a time in the hope the meds work. What do the anti psychotics do? Do you know you have to take them every day?

Hi, yes I'm on those too- lamotrigine as a mood stabiliser and lurasidone for the antipsychotic. I did try 2 other antipsychotics first that had no effect on me, but the 3rd did and it was like a light switched on in my mind and I started to see things more clearly, I came back down onto planet earth. Yes you take them daily and I don't ever want to stop taking them.

I hope these new meds have a clear and quick effect on your DH.

They told me which ones they are but I didn't write them down correctly. He seems very confused atvthe moment. Saying he has no clothes, when I just brought him clothes. Apparentlythey have tobstandcover him for 5 minutes until he takes the meds. Im glad hes in hospital because I wouldn't be able to deal with this at home.

Yes, it is really stressful and hard to manage. For the beginning I refused meds entirely (I thought they were trying to poison me) so they were giving me them against my will via injection. Eventually I agreed to taking them myself but it was a long and horrible time at first.

I'm really glad you feel so much better now and you're helping me to understand what DH is going through as well as giving me hope for the future so thank you

Ah thank you. I've been thinking of you and wishing you and your DH well. It's a terrible time for all involved. Do ask questions if I can help with anything moving forwards.

I’m glad he’s moving a bit closer. Antipsychotics help reduce symptoms of psychosis, such as delusions and hallucinations, and also help reduce paranoia. If your DH has been believing in things that aren’t real, antipsychotics will help and they should also reduce his confusion. Initially they can cause significant side effects, such as feeling drowsy, but this will wear off. He may be on them for a long time (initial guidelines are to keep someone on antipsychotics for a year post first episode psychosis). There may also be some changes to his medications during initial treatment as they work out what’s best for him. Do keep posting if you find it helpful x

Thanks. It's a scary word to hear in relation to someone you love and someone who has to live around your children. It was explained to me as an anti depressant. But he is confused and not wanting to take them so hopefully something will kick in. I was a bit resentful having to spend my lunch hour at the job centre sorting out universal credit but they were all very kind.

Sometimes, when someone is very very depressed, they can get to such a low point that their sense of reality starts to break down and they start to believe things that aren't real. This is what's known as "psychotic depression". Often the things that that they start to believe are negative things about their lives or themselves. This is because the psychosis is actually their severe depression. We start them on antipsychotics because they help relieve some of the negative scary and thoughts while improving how well the antidepressants work. The reason some people can be reluctant to take antipsychotics is because they believe lots of sad and scary things that aren't actually true and exactly what the medication is can get caught up in that. That's why we can treat people on a section without their consent if it's in their best interests to do so. Once his team has decided what drug he's going to stay on in the slightly longer term, his consultant might suggest giving it to him by injection instead. While injections themselves sound quite scary, they have to be given much less frequently (up to every 6 months) and ensure that someone stays on their medication without the need for any fight, which might be useful when thinking about going home. One step at a time for now though 🙂

Tha ks that's helpful. MIL went to see him today and apparently he's much more talkative. Hopefully the drugs are starting to work. He's also going out of his room and sitting in the garden and chatting to other patients more which is positive. I'm going tomorrow to see him.

Hope it goes well today @Concernedabouthubby it's a good sign he's starting to mix with people.

Hi I thought I'd resurrect this just to update and ask more questions!
DH's section ends on Tuesday and he has been asked to stay on a voluntary patient. He seems much better and is much more talkative and is doing activities. I asked him if he felt better and he said ' not that much' but it seems like the severe depression has lifted but he still has the long term anxiety about money ( we are fine re money, I have a good job and we both have parents who are fairly wealthy although obviously our income has halved we have savings and redundancy) I just wanted to ask what happens now? Does he have a phased return home? I was going to ask about actual therapy while he's there because he spoke about doing cooking, dance therapy, art therapy, mindfulness etc but surely he needs some sort of cbt or something? I have a meeting today with his doctor so want some ideas as to what to ask.