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Something’s not right

Doug2
Casual Contributor

Lost on what to do regarding my mother.

My mum has been showing symptoms of psychosis and schizophrenia for the last 12 months.

She's been admitted to the psychiatric ward before in 2019. She was started on anti-depressants (which I think she still takes now).

 

I'll try to summarise the stuff that happened since then.

  • She said she having bad experiences with technology, saying the computers and internet is all hacked, is making a buzzing noise that keeps her awale. She's taking medication for tinnitus now.
  • She started being paranoid, saying someone was shining a light through her window late at night, and that she was being followed when she was outside.
  • She believes someone walks on the roof at night. Wants to buy security cameras. She's called and gone to the police station so many times by now.

I've been trying to take care of myself. Making sure I don't fall too behind on uni studies. I spoke to the uni's psychologist. I started reading Dr xavier's book on Anosognosia which helps.

I check in on my brother regularly, make sure he's doing okay.

Dad's been stressed. Keeps trying to tell mum that everything's fine, she's not in danger. He went to our GP who said, we have to wait until she proves a threat to herself or others before involuntary admission is an option.

 

I've just been so tired. I want to focus on uni, on socialising with friends. But as much as I try to help her, listen and empathise, It's so tiring. It's so easy to slip into feeling angry at my mum, even though I know it's not her fault.

 

I'll keep trying but I guess I need help. Advice, support,  what I should do, what i can do. I think even hearing how other people got through this might help.

 

Thank you for giving me a place to ask for support and air this out

7 REPLIES 7

Re: Lost on what to do regarding my mother.

Hi @Doug2 ,

 

Thank you for sharing. You definitely sound like you are in a difficult space. I am glad you have reached out to uni services. Just to let you know, you are also covered by the Disability Discrimation Act and can apply for reasonable adjustments at uni due to having a parent with a MH condition. Speak to your uni about it.

 

Another thing, I can't see why you need to wait for your mother to become an involuntary paitient. If deemed reasonable by drs, and supported by family, shouldn't that be enough to get her admitted to an inpatient unit with the purpose of adjusting medication? Do you have private health insurance to cover a private hospital admission to a mental health unit? Isn't her paranoia, interactions with police etc enough to have her supported by services? 

 

Otherwise can a psychiatrist monitor and prescribe meds outside an inpatient unit? I'm not really sure of your current situation. I'm only brainstorming.

 

Above all, take this time to seek care for yourself. This is so important. Do you have regular access to a counsellor or psychologist? I know this must be so difficult for you esp when you need to ensure your family are coping.

 

I encourage you to continue reaching out here.

 

Take care,

BPDSurvivor

Re: Lost on what to do regarding my mother.

@Doug2      Hi Doug2 yes unfortunately there is nothing you can do until she proves to be a danger to herself or others. You havent mentioned if she is on medication or not. Medication and seeing a good psychiatrist is vital. Can you talk with her and persaud her to see one? I know that will be no easy task. I have a mental illness and my son has one too so I know how hard it is first hand. Take care of yourself. Love greenpea

Re: Lost on what to do regarding my mother.

Hi @greenpea, Thanks for the response.
I believe she is taking anti-depressant medication and I've tried asking her to see a Dr/psychiatrist but she's been quite adamant that she is "100% fine" and "Doesn't need a dr" which has been quite frustrating.

 

Thanks again for the help

 

@Doug2 

Re: Lost on what to do regarding my mother.

Hi @BPDSurvivor 

Thank you for your response.
I will definitely send an email to uni service and inquire about the any adjustments that are available for me. As for admission to to hospital, it's only available involuntarily when she proves to be a danger to herself or others. (If she agreed to go to the psychiatrist, I think our health insurance would support it)
As for myself, thank you for the advice, I have access to the uni psychologist, I have 4 more visits this semester (they give 6 free visits per sem). Which should allow me to visit the psychologist once every 2 weeks.

Thanks again for your response and i'm hoping your doing well

@Doug2

Re: Lost on what to do regarding my mother.

Hey @Doug2 ,

 

Definitely sounds like your mother needs to see a psychiatrist or something. Waitlists are quite long. I definitely hope you soon get the support you need for her, particularly if it is taking its toll on you.

 

Although your mother thinks she is 'fine', have you sat down to speak to her about how YOU (yourself) are not 'fine'? In that you worry about her, and that her recent change in behaviour is concerning. Perhaps if she realised it is affecting her family, she may be more open to doing something about it?

 

I'm happy to hear you are getting support for yourself through uni. You can also get a Mental Health Care Plan from your which entitles you to 20 subsidised sessions with a psychologist. On my MH care plan, I don't pay anything for my psychology sessions. This might help.

 

I hope you all get the support you deserve. Look forward to hearing how you go.

 

BPDSurvivor

 

Re: Lost on what to do regarding my mother.

Hi @BPDSurvivor,

A quick update. Turns out, all those times she went to the police station was eventually noticed. She phoned the police again at around 4 this morning. And when the police couldn't find anything out of the ordinary, they decided to schedule her for a psychological assessment.

She's just been involuntarily admitted to the hospital a few hours ago.

I think she was upset, particularly upset with my dad but honestly, I'm quite relieved that she is getting the help that she needs.

 

I might visit this forum now and again, depending on how my mother goes and how i am. Actually, I probably will look around here and see what help I can find and/or give. Things seem to be looking up atm. (she's been hospitalised for mental health reasons before and it seemed to help)

 

If you have any more tips for what to expect whilst she is hospitalised and after she leaves, i'll be more than happy to listen.

 

Thanks again for your words of advice. I'll be sure to send in an email for possible adjustments and look into the Mental Health Plan. (thank you for this, I honestly wouldn't have known about this stuff).

 

Kindest Regards and take care,

 

@Doug2 

Re: Lost on what to do regarding my mother.

Wow @Doug2 ,

 

It's hard, but also a relief. In the hospital, they will most likely monitor her and stabilise her on medications to help with the paranoia.

 

It's a very real thing and with such circumstances, there mental health team usually don't wait until there's a major crisis before admission. If anything, the GP should have raised alarms bells to the CATT services long ago. The CATT services would then come out and determine whether she needs and admission. 

Your mum is in good hands. Expect changes to come as medication is tried. All meds are different and work differently in people, hence the drs may need to try several different meds. Be prepared for side effects. Reassure your mum she is being well looked after.

 

In the meantime, while you get yourself a MH care plan from the GP, phone around to see if you can find a psychologist near you. Ask about gap payments. Telehealth appointments from the psychologists I know are fully subsidised, whereas face to face requires a gap payment. LONGGGGG WAITLISTS. So I suggest you start phoning around.

 

All the best. Thanks for keeping us in the loop. Let us know how you go or if you have any questions.

 

We're here with you,

BPDSurvivor

 

 

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