@Former-Member wrote:
@Eden1919
The need for a treatment order and the drugs given under them is a separate issue.
This point is a complex one and as a carer I would want clear communication around this and would seek to ensure that any medication that was given was appropriate and necessary.
Hello dear @Eden1919
Darcy's above thoughts are exactly mine on the issue you raised here. And the individual circumstances that lead up to a treatment order can vary significantly in each person's case - there is no simple answer. One thing I do know that it is an absolutely last resort if all else fails to ease the sufferers deterioating mental state.
A carer has to do what is best to keep the mentally ill person and themselves safe at the time. And these circumstances can vary from person to person. Not all situations are the same. And if the person effected is "not taking medication" and deteriorates to the point where nothing else is working and the sufferer becomes a risk to themselves and others leaves those responsible for their well being no other option.
Would I have a loved one scheduled in the above circumstances - yes. As to ignore this could result in suicide, murder/suicide or further mental and physical deterioration leading to tragedy. I would be left with no option. Would I want to? No, no one wants to schedule their loved one - it's heart breaking, but sometimes we are left with no choice - not allowing our emotions to blindside what is the best thing to do for all concerned leads to the best result for the sufferer in my experience. This can all take an enormous toll and be traumatising for the carer as well. And carers also need support for this reason (. @Exhausted1 - do not feel bad, we do what we have to at the time for everyone's well being as all are equally important)
I have been faced on a few occasions with such an emergency. My daughter was scheduled not by me but by the state hospital as she had a serious attempt. I have never applied for an order as my daughter has improved - it was an option that her GP raised if she continued to deteriorate unmedicated to a degree where she became a risk to herself and us. And if that had been the case, to save her life I would of went ahead with it. There are a lot of individual circumstances that a person faces in these situations and sometimes there is no choice. No simple answer or solution.
The best judge is those who love the sufferer and act in their best interests and whom are in the particular circumstances witnessing it daily. Whom suffer the consequences inflicted on themselves and have to watch the mentally ill person suffer and deterioate/act out/self destruct. The Person experiencing a mental breakdown "may become paranoid, delusional and lose all insight to their deterioating state and so the carer has to act in their best interests then". This is where the subject of medication and treatment does become an issue and it is very important for the carer to ensure the appropriateness of any treatment given.
My suggestion to the sufferer to uphold their rights when it comes to possibly detainment under the Act - is to make their intentions of what medication/treatments are not acceptable when stable and why this would be so "medically/psychologically" detrimental (e.g. Any reverse effects with certain meds or ineffectiveness in the past etc) with the particular mental disorder suffered, and put this together in writing with your psychiatrist or GP. Whether this will hold any weight or impact depends on State to State legalisation and what the Act can override. It may be worth discussing with your medical professional.
But to be assessed as mentally unstable when scheduled and detained, A medicated treatment plan of some sort has to be to be established to stabilise the patient. No one detained can override this. Having a support person to overlook this treatment is a must in my opinion, and if you cannot appoint a known person to you, you can apply through the mental health Act for a official support mental health worker to do this for you on your behalf and overlook your treatment and care whilst in hospital. You have those rights.
Being a carer I would personally want to be informed and involved with the treatment plan, know all the possible side effects and the long term prognosis and continuing treatment. And yes, becoming informed with the mental health Act is essential to ensure our loved one receives proper care and knows their rights.
I do sympathise @Eden1919 with what you are saying about some of the medication side effects being terrible. And to also being treated as stupid. I have been hospitalised in the past voluntarily and can relate. Treatments do need to improve as does the treatment of the patients in some psych facilities, they can be questionable to say the least due mainly to underfunding in the public system and stigma - there is so much the medical world does not know about the brain. I think certain private facilities are better if "they have proven treatment plans" (not experimenting - deep sleep etc).
To my experience the best on offer for psychosis is mainly heavy sedation/ECT, an attempt to re-balance brain chemistry. For some whom were under good psychiatrists for meds and psychologists for much needed additional therapy; those who take their meds consistently together with leading a healthy lifestyle have managed to keep their psychosis under control - they have been able to go on to lead functional lives, hold down jobs because of it. This was sometimes a result of the ongoing treatment after being detained - of finding the right treatment that fitted the individual sufferer, which can be trial and error until success is obtained. Some of these individuals were able to achieve this as a result of being stabilised in hospital then going onto following a long term plan. So there can be a upside to it.
It really does come down to the individual sufferer and how they look after themselves/what choices they make/their outlook on their illness/life together with receiving "adequate support" and "the right treatment plan" - this can make all the difference to the outcome. They need support persons whom can look out for their best interests when they are unwell - but they must also co-operate in a chosen treatment plan they feel comfortable with for success. To my knowledge no one suffering a severe mental illness can recover or function adequately without medication. So Trusting our carers, the right treatment and the medical professionals is also a huge component towards successfully treatment. And I have known some after years of treatment being well enough to eventually wean off treatment. It depends on the severity.
I personally keep hoping that there are further medical breakthroughs that will produce better treatment plans for the mentally ill, creating meds with less side effects together with incorporating better essential therapy options that are affordable (not just relying on calming the symptoms with meds but actually address coping strategies, triggers etc); and that a better understanding of MI circulates in society enhancing more compassion and dignity for those inflicted. And the fact the mentally ill are intelligent good people regardless of brain imbalance, damage and trauma symptoms whom have the capacity to take responsibility for their actions, choices and lives - that just need a hands up when hitting bottom reducing stigma.
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