Parent has been hospitalised on section 2- any advice or experiences

[Bakingmom]

My mum has had a mental health breakdown since the summer of this year. Since summer things have spiralled out of control which has led to her being arrested twice in the space of two days and then detained by the section 2 mental health act. She had now been on a psychiatric ward for 6 days. Myself or my grandad are her closet relatives however she originally denied us consent to speak to the doctors. This has caused a tremendous amount of stress for us on top of the worry we’ve got for her. We eventually got her to let us visit yesterday which was positive and although she is far from better she agreed to consent to me speaking to the doctors. As it was a weekend there was no one to speak to until Monday and the nurses didn’t seem to know anything (no offence to them but they couldn’t give me any details about her care or detainment.) she then rang me to today and told me she was allowed out for 3 hours,.. I didn’t actually believe this as she is suffering psychosis right now and has an altered relality. However it turns out they have let her go out tonight from 6.30 for three hours. I’m so confused at this as I assumed once you were detained under a section surely you can go out wherever you want for hours at a time doing whatever you want? Does anyone have any experience of this? Also any kind of experience of sectioning or family members being sectioned. I’m finding the whole thing so distressing and just want to help her get better but I feel like the lack of communication and now the fact she’s allowed out really really concerning. Just to add I’m not against the sectioning as I believe she should be in there as she is not making safe decisions for herself at home.

It is possible to have time out, even when on a section. Occasionally (eg Christmas), the patient might even be allowed to go home for a couple of days.
Ideally, you need to speak to your mother's consultant tomorrow.
But I think the good news is that she is in a safe place, so you can relax a bit - at least for the time being.

My Mum was sectioned many many times (at least 8 times) over the course of her illness, I know how hard it is. She wasn't allowed to leave unless agreed by her doctor and then she had to be accompanied. It's very hard and I hated seeing her in there so I know how you are feeling.

My FiL was sectioned, a couple of years ago, its horrific, just try & be your mums advocate and make sure she gets the treatment she needs, push hard to speak to the MH team involved.

We found it very hit n miss, with some very disturbed people trying to assault him, we eventually got him moved to a male only ward, the biggest problem was communication, so many ward staff had poor English, it was hard to get to speak to some one who understood our concerns.

Basically, it was only by moaning, that we got him the treatment required.

Hope your mum is getting better care.

@Alexandra2001 yes the communication is the most frustrating part. How did you know who the right person to speak to is?
I can’t ask her anything because she doesn’t know what’s going on and isn’t reliable. I’m desperate to speak to someone who can tell me everything about her care.
@KylieKangaroo thank you and I hope your mum ended up better? I know it’s a very personal and complex issue. Did you find the sectioning helped?

Sorry your mum is ill, my mum was sectioned a number of times with psychosis and spiralling bipolar episodes.

There were different wards she was on, sometimes it was a secure unit where she wouldn’t be allowed out, but order times it was a lower level mental health ward but unsecured, it sounds like maybe that’s the kind of ward she’s on?

I know it’s all very upsetting and distressing when someone’s ill like this but at least in the hospital she’ll be being looked after. Try and speak to her consultant tomorrow and find out exactly what the plans for her care are.

Sending love & support x

I agree with what others have said really you have to be your mum's advocate and be your Mum's voice in a way as she can't do that for herself. It is very frustrating as in my experience you only get to meet with doctors once a week after they have had their meeting to discuss X amount of patients, often I saw different doctors each week and the communication between them was non existent so you were re explaining things all the time.

I'd say keep a record of meds she is on, things that the doctors say at specific meetings and go from there. All you can do is support your Mum and be there for her but it's so so tough.

My Mum sadly passed away recently so it's all fresh in my mind really. I hated hated seeing her in there so much but also felt powerless to do anything as well.

@KylieKangaroo thank you. It’s so hard to be her advocate when she’s pushing us away. Her illness is making her so nasty and the hospital are no help in keeping us involved in her care. I’m so scared they will just send her home and she won’t have any help. If they do that she’s just going to get herself arrested again as she keeps making unsafe choices and harassing her neighbours.

If they do send her home she should be under the crisis team so that if you need her to go back in quickly then she can. I'm sorry she is pushing you away that sounds like it is making things even harder. Must be so scary for her bless her.

I am sorry you are going through this. My husband is currently detained under a Section 3.

Patients are indeed entitled to leave under Section 17. This would have been assessed by her responsible clinician (psychiatrist) and it is also an important part of recovery and seeing how people do in the community. It can be withdrawn at any time if the risks change. The nurses on duty will also have assessed your mum's presentation before allowing her to leave the ward. I admit, that it does seem very quick, and usually they start with escorted ground leave, but it is going to be different for everyone, of course.

It is very common for people in psychosis to disengage and refuse loved ones to be given information. Often due to the belief that loved ones got them 'sectioned', or haven't done enough to keep them out. It happens all the time, and can often be due to Anosognosia. I know how brutal it is when the person you are trying to help is making it difficult to let you, and when they become uncharacteristically 'mean'. I don't think I will ever be the same again after all of this.

There should be a weekly MDT meeting, ask the ward nurses if you can be invited to these- your mum will need to consent. As for discharge, it's best practice that a family member is involved in this process, and her nearest relative should be consulted when this happens at the very least.

The nurses should have been able to give you some information, I would make sure that a data protection form has been completed if you mum has now consented, as the nurses will not say much without that form being on the system.

It is a battle, getting people to communicate and listen to you. Mind has a phone line that you can call to discuss any legal matters around being detained that you might find helpful.

I really hope your mum improves soon. Please feel free to PM me if you want someone to lean on.

Hello, I am very surprised she's been given Section 17 leave so soon. I would be asking to speak to the ward manager to discuss this and how unsafe you feel she is, now that she has given you consent to speak to them. She should have started off with at least escorted leave in the grounds, before anything else.

You need to insist you are invited to her weekly MDT meeting- often called a 'ward round'. If you can't attend you can ask to be dialled in. This is really important as it's where all decisions are made for the following week.

This happened to my dad a few years ago, and he was also very angry with and suspicious of me , one thing to consider is whether an IMCA ( independent mental capacity advocate) might be helpful as they may be able to support your mum without the emotional involvement and distress you have. It really is a horrendous experience so look after yourself

I’ve been sectioned multiple times so happy to support by pm if easier or on here. When sectioned I’ve been given leave, a godsend to get home and have a shower without anyone walking in on you!