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How to prove I am of sound mind

89 replies

TwittleBee · 12/03/2025 14:37

I'm unsure if that's actually the correct term but I am being accused by the Council that I am psychotic and experiencing delusions because I'm challenging their "professional" opinion by raising complaints that they haven't followed the legislation correctly (I did also point out to them that of course I'll challenge those professionals when they lose 99% of their Appeals) and am concerned that this could then lead to me being exposed to losing access to my children (Council have already alluded to such).

I've done a quick Google search but am unsure what I actually need! I always imagined it would be some sort of questionnaire or interview with a Dr or something!

OP posts:
SoAbsolutelyLonely · 12/03/2025 16:36

scorchedwitch · 12/03/2025 15:16

Accusations of FII are, apparently, going out of fashion as they are not credible.

This has been replaced with accusations of BPD which is difficult to disprove.

I hope so as it had become a massive problem. You’re right they also go after parental (usually always the mother) mental health to discredit. It’s appalling .

JeremiahBullfrog · 12/03/2025 16:37

If they have shared this "diagnosis" with anyone else then there would surely be grounds for libel. It may be worth reminding them of this, though I would probably get a lawyer's advice first.

scorchedwitch · 12/03/2025 16:39

It's always mum who is treated abusively by an LA attempt to evade responsibility.

Thing is that it's irrelevant anyway - child is entitled to an EHCP regardless of parental MH.

TwittleBee · 12/03/2025 16:53

I do agree. Even if I was psychotic why should that prevent my son from access a suitable and full time education and not be permitted an EHCP in line with the law. Also, regardless of whether I'm experiencing psychosis, I am still entitled to raise complaints. Surely if they did not then this would all amount to discrimination?

OP posts:
scorchedwitch · 12/03/2025 16:59

They never think this stuff through. You are supposed to retreat into a corner and whimper in fear and learn not to question their absolute authority. You haven't so you are now allegedly experiencing psychosis. Predictable.

Insist on SAR being sent to you. Point out due date and that this is overdue.

TwittleBee · 12/03/2025 17:12

Unfortunately I have done this already with the SAR. They responded back stating they can't work any quicker as they have a lot to redact. They said if I'm not satisfied then complain to the ICO (which I've done)

OP posts:
scorchedwitch · 12/03/2025 17:31

They're playing you. Let the ICO deal with it and challenge the redactions - more false allegations about you.

hellohellooo · 12/03/2025 17:34

TwittleBee · 12/03/2025 14:47

@scorchedwitch it's been 4 months since my SAR went into the LA, I raised a complaint with the LA and the ICO. The LA have stated that these obsession for the want of my data adds to evidence that I am delusional

What was wrong with the EP assessment?

Did they complete it remotely?

JohnofWessex · 12/03/2025 17:34

I can see a Local Authority with a death wish here.

You can get a situation where someone is ignored and as a result becomes increasingly frustrated resulting in allegations, however ill founded about their behaviour

butterfly0404 · 12/03/2025 17:36

Only a suitably qualified psychiatric professional can diagnose you with psychosis. It sounds more like they are throwing words around hoping you'll cower and break. I'd ignore this as it's just a bullying tactic. Stay strong, it sounds like you are fighting for the right for your child to have a suitable education, how on earth does that make you psychotic?

hellohellooo · 12/03/2025 17:37

How worrying. oP

They are totally out of line 😡😡😡

badtimingisrubbish · 12/03/2025 18:00

I'm confused about the social care assessment. How exactly have they stated that they carried out the assessment of they haven't assessed you or your family? That would be documented on in the info they gave you.

scorchedwitch · 12/03/2025 18:18

@badtimingisrubbish the non assessment is one of many reasons they are pushing back against the SAR.

Nextdoor55 · 13/03/2025 09:04

For anyone who doubts that authorities go after parents who challenge, they absolutely do. This happened to me, the thing is, holding professional people to account they take as if you're actually trying to lose them their job when all you're doing is trying to get the best for your child.
OP hold your nerve, keep calm & go & see your GP. There is something you can do I think you could get an assessment that will say that you have capacity. You can ask for a capacity assessment,? I don't know if you'll get one but worth a shot. Or just try to ignore these allegations, they are distracting from the main issue. It's abusive behaviour, gaslighting & making you out to be insane.
You could write a clear letter separate from your child's information, calling them out & inviting them to assess your competence. Make it clear that your GP believes that you have capacity & are not ill (get their support first). But also make it clear that this will be the final time you will be addressing the issue, that it's a distraction & that your mental health is not up for discussion. Even if you had mental health issues, so what anyway, it's none of their business & they are showing themselves to be uneducated if they believe this is even an issue. They should still be trying to help your child either way.
I'd also consider advocacy? LA's usually have a linked service.

I challenged camhs & they sent a very very long letter to my local authority strongly implying I was deliberately trying to hurt my children, like fictitious illness. They basically ignored the fact that DD was at the time starving herself (ended up as an emergency going into an eating disorder unit). Fortunately for me, we were in a different LA to the camhs department, I say fortunate because I'm 100% certain that they had a relationship with their own child protection department.
It was lucky for us that we lived in a county that rejected the referral, but the writers of the referral letter (camhs,) tried to shut me up by destroying me as a parent.
There were no real concerns about me, they were making up stupid reasons to say I was trying to hurt my child, literally things like "using the kitchen" which they said was inappropriate.
Absolute fuckers. It left me with a real fear & mistrust of these authorities, honestly. They shut up in the end but it was hard being labelled & everything I said was analysed & misunderstood. I honestly felt like the therapists at that camhs were mentally imbalanced themselves. One of them is now quite high up. Yeah makes you wonder how these people are chosen.

But going back to OP, hold your nerve, try to get some advocacy, directly address their "concerns" go to your GP (they will have seen this all before,,), also keep going with getting your child help & support.
If you want to DM me please feel free. I'll help if I can.

Nextdoor55 · 13/03/2025 09:08

TwittleBee · 12/03/2025 17:12

Unfortunately I have done this already with the SAR. They responded back stating they can't work any quicker as they have a lot to redact. They said if I'm not satisfied then complain to the ICO (which I've done)

I remember doing this. I just got pages & pages of blocked out paperwork. We had to go to court & get the information ,& I could then see why they didn't want me to see it. Fuckers.
Ended up going to the ombudsman then court. Was awful nightmare.

Bourbonbonbon · 13/03/2025 09:22

They are being ridiculous.

What you would need is an independent psychiatric assessment. In your position, I wouldn't be having one unless ordered to by a judge. If they're really concerned, they have a duty of care to share those with others. It will be interesting to see if they do.

Bourbonbonbon · 13/03/2025 09:28

If I were in your position, I would write a measured letter to my MP pointing out that these allegations are being used with no basis and seen desiged to silence and frustrate you. Further, your concerns about the child at the heart i8of this situation remain, as do your fears for other children in a similar position in the future.

TwittleBee · 13/03/2025 09:51

Would you mind setting out the steps for me @Nextdoor55 on getting them to release it via court? I suppose I could ask my solicitor but aiming to not keep racking up bills

OP posts:
iwannaknow · 13/03/2025 10:25

@TwittleBee I'm so sorry that you're experiencing this. Can you let me know which county you're in (by PM if you prefer). Understand if you'd rather not, but might be able to help.

Stay calm, cool head. They cannot just say you're 'not of sound mind'.

This sort of thing happens to mothers (predominantly) who challenge effectively and especially ones who're neurodivergent. This might be a useful paper for you to read when you feel up to it: www.wm-adass.org.uk/improvement/autism-and-parental-blame-research/

TwittleBee · 13/03/2025 11:45

@iwannaknow - Essex

That link is so interesting! Certainly makes me feel a lot less alone and really does show how wide of an issue this is, it's ingrained into our LAs

OP posts:
MrTiddlesTheCat · 13/03/2025 12:20

I know it's hard but try not to worry, the courts will see through this nonsense. I had the opposite, the LA undiagnosed me to avoid having to provide the support I needed. I was astounded. Where did they get their medical degrees from? I was told it was their 'professional opinion'. The judge gave them short shrift for that.

iwannaknow · 13/03/2025 13:38

TwittleBee · 13/03/2025 11:45

@iwannaknow - Essex

That link is so interesting! Certainly makes me feel a lot less alone and really does show how wide of an issue this is, it's ingrained into our LAs

Ah ok, not an area I can give you any pointers for, sorry.

It is indeed a very interesting (and infuriating!) read.

x2boys · 13/03/2025 14:05

TwittleBee · 12/03/2025 14:37

I'm unsure if that's actually the correct term but I am being accused by the Council that I am psychotic and experiencing delusions because I'm challenging their "professional" opinion by raising complaints that they haven't followed the legislation correctly (I did also point out to them that of course I'll challenge those professionals when they lose 99% of their Appeals) and am concerned that this could then lead to me being exposed to losing access to my children (Council have already alluded to such).

I've done a quick Google search but am unsure what I actually need! I always imagined it would be some sort of questionnaire or interview with a Dr or something!

It's not in the remit of the council to diagnose you with psychosis a
Only a psychiatrist can do that after a full assessment.

x2boys · 13/03/2025 14:12

Who is actually suggesting you are experiencing psychosis
As I would want to know what qualifications they have to base this on
People can't just throw around arm chair diagnosis, paticularly a diagnosis such as psychosis. ..

NC10125 · 13/03/2025 14:26

We have ongoing SEN support fights, although luckily not to the level you are going through.

If they have said this once, it is likely that they will say it again. In your position each time it is said I would ask (or get your lawyer to ask) for a copy of their medical qualifications "for your record". When they aren't sent I would write a month later saying that in the absence of them providing details of their medical qualifications that you are requesting it be struck from the record as unsubstantiated.

Won't do anything but it'll be interesting for the court bundle when you get there!

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