Section 2 elderly brother what to expect from in patient experience

[limetrees32]

I suppose this is a silly question.
But wondering if anyone has any experience.
I'm worried he'll just be sedated and that his anxiety and depression won't be treated.

Because I don't understand why it's thought that the medication isn't working.
His mood had improved a great deal - he had gone from monosyllabic to starting conversations and engaging.
He has never been someone to socialise or engage in talk to pass the time of day.
Not even with close family , certainly not with strangers. This is his norm.
He's not yet without issues - trouble sleeping for instance.
He's been depressed for 6 years after a SCA , an induced coma and then sepsis .
He has some brain damage from these illnesses and to my mind , some kind of dementia.
He has had an MRI done weeks ago .
They have said they need to fully consider the results. No idea when.
I don't believe his depression was ever seriously addressed ,the ADs he was on had little effect and were not reviewed.
He's improved in 4 weeks ,it doesn't seem long enough to judge that ECT is now needed.
Who will decide if he has " great suffering " ?
Will his view on that be considered,?
Or will. It be decided for him ?

I think he's lost to us. In the hands of people who don't know him and are basing their judgement on incorrect assumptions.
He's not improving because he's not socialising for instance.
Background information about him has been given but I dont think it is taken on board .
He's not even called the correct name ( or a shortened version ) or his deafness taken into account.

ECT doesn't always work wonders.
It's an invasive treatment and the side effects don't always wear off .
To consider it after 4 weeks of medication with no knowledge of someone's personality or life style when they were well and seemingly no interest in learning of it seems wrong.

I was told I was to be given ECT against my will when I was sectioned in the 1990s. I completely freaked out as I didn’t want it and they did change their minds, Apparently, it was taken as a positive sign that I cared about what was done to me.
No idea if that is typical but it can’t harm to make sure they are aware of his objection and that of his partner and you.

Hi @limetrees32 , just saw this. So sorry that things are so rough.

So yes, as @JennieTheZebra said, they can do ECT without consent but IIRC they need a second opinion approved doctor (SOAD) in order to do that.

Your posts are very well thought out and articulate- may I suggest that you copy them separately into bullet points and have a discussion with his RC and named nurse so that you get a satisfactory answer?

I would encourage you to consider contacting the MIND legal line and get an Advocate involved ASAP. You may wish to consider specifically alluding to your relatives baseline presentation. Happy to be corrected but it sounds as though this perhaps has not been fully acknowledged by the staff.

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/

You are right about the ECT and side effects. Would I have it again? Absolutely. Was I told that my memory would still be impaired 10 years on.? Nope. You are right to consider these things.

You are doing great, keep asking any queasiness you need to!