I have a question about hospitalization

I have a close friend whom I love, and adore, and had a psychotic episode a few days ago, and I just found out last night. She thought she was possessed by a demon, and that her hands were on fire. They took her to the hospital, and they doctor thought she was just trying to get pills, and only gave her meds for two days, and told her she needed to see a psychiatrist, and of course he didn't say it in a caring and loving way. She was somewhat coherent off and on, but should she go in patient? She doesn't do what she's supposed to do, isn't really seeking help, and her partner is very caring, and just wants what's best for her. But this was an all night episode, and I'm thinking she needs to go inpatient. Would that be good for her? To do a 30 day stay maybe? Please advise...I've always fought going inpatient for real, and I never had family support to know what to do, so we want to do the right thing for her, but we aren't too sure what that is.

Well when I was having really bad psychosis and was very manic, my treatment team tried to get me into a program at the hospital where you can stay but you have freedom to leave during the day and return at night. It think they reffered to it as Step. When I went to meet the coordinators of this program, when they learned I was having psychosis they told me they could not have me there, as they only have one nurse on a night and I would be a liability. So they sent me to the psych ward. I stayed for almost two weeks and was released. It was a really good thing, even tho I did not want to go. They would not have been able to get my symptoms under control at home. I was on a TON of meds. It was good tho, because they were able to get me to sleep and eat and rest. I had actually passed out twice while I was there the first day because I had not eaten, on combo with meds and low blood pressure. I'm glad that didn't happen at home alone.

That's just my experience, does your friend have a psychiatrist? I would think the Hispital would be alot more appropriate in their behavior if she had a pdoc helping her get admitted. Im Canada so I'm not sure how this all works in the states. That's really really sad, the hospitals staff behavior. Ive never been treated like that at my hospital.

You said this was an all night thing? So has the psychosis sort of lifted. She might not need inpatient but she does need a psychiatrists care. Has she had psychosis before? I had been having psychotic symptoms for quite awhile before going inpatient, I think I waited to long and that complicated things. Does she have a dx of anything?

This is so heartless, to give medications for 2 days knowing how long it takes to wait for an appointment with a p-doc! I know about their liabilities, but a week's supply is not dangerous.

They had diagnosed her with ADD but have been reluctant to diagnose with BP. However we've all always known. She has had psychotic episodes in the past, and nothing was done about them. No real family understanding or support. She has a psychiatrist, but they haven't treated her for bipolar...just put her on a mood stabilizer, and she is still taking the ADD meds. (Which from my own experience...made things way worse.) She has just moved so her pdoc is 3 hours away...I think she needs to find a new one. She's living in a bigger city now, and not a small town anymore..so I'm thinking she could get some 'better' help. Her partner, and my family are really supportive of her, so we'll do whatever it takes. But she hasn't really even admitted there's a problem yet. so we don't know if we should just put her in, so she can learn about the disease, and see, and relate to others like her, or take the chance that she might commit to therapy every week and not end up going. It's a tricky situation. I just want to help make the 'best choice,' and not do any damage to her either way.

A psychosis can be brought on by a lot of things & be long- or short-term. A psychiatrist is the one to sort out such things, & to decide about inpatient care. From what you described, I'd agree with Anika's post. It would seem like a good idea to me ... But I'm not a pdoc.

Your friend is fortunate to have so many around her who care & will be there to support her when she does find treatment. I don't know that you can "just put her in" though unless you think you could convince someone that she is a danger to herself or others. That would be a hard sell, if the ER team did not see fit to admit her.

It sounds to me that you are way ahead of her. Until she comes to accept that she has a problem, you are wasting your time to some extent and perhaps building up her defenses against the idea that any problem exists. If she begins to feels that you, the supportive ones, are the enemy...

I agree 100%. That is our fear. The ER doc, had just had a patient before her, who just wanted some meds cause they were an addict. So she wasn't seeing someone in the right frame of mind to be sensitive to her. We just want to do the 'right' thing, and don't know what that might be. She could be categorized as a risk to others, as she punches walls, and blacks out etc. She blacked out for the whole psychotic episode, and is carrying a lot of shame and guilt. She's worried if she'll be the same person anymore. But seemingly not enough to grasp for help.

Oh! She may also be a danger to herself as she almost broke her arm flailing it. It's swollen and she is in pain due to it.

What I would suggest is that her partner call her pdoc, or get her to call the pdoc, request an emergency app, and explain the whole situation. Even tho it's 3 hours away, well worth the trip. It would be good if her partner could go with her, and talk to the pdoc about this whole case since she probably will either not want to, or will not be accurate enough. I don't know if that is possible with the red tape, but my partner can do this for me, I have even had a friend call my Pdoc before. She will probably have to give permission for this, I think.

I'm really sorry Forgive, it's a tough spot to be in as a friend. She is lucky to have people who care enough to try and help.

In my state, to leave the hospital, you have to have a follow up plan. If they don't think you're an immediate threat to yourself or others, they release you with a 2 day supply and follow up instructions. If I cam in with THAT kind of psychosis though, they would admit me. Did she refuse admission? Or maybe they didn't have any beds? This is so irresponsible.

I'd have her find a new doctor ASAP. I can't be on ADD meds either.

They live in New Orleans. The drug abuse activity is sooo bad there, and their gangs are crazy. No codes or organization...so the health support is very jaded. Ya...the doctor gave her two days of meds and sent her off on her way. She didn't refuse treatment. They were grasping at straws for what to do. He just told her to get a tdoc. The end. She should have been admitted in my opinion. But that's just mine.

All together, making an appt with the pdoc 3 hrs away is the best solution. Anyone closely aware of the circumstances who can go, ought to. This psychiatrist is up to date on the case, is best positioned to evaluate the young woman's present state, & can make a referral to a pdoc who will be more strategically available to her in her new location.

Her original pdoc would ideally be able to get her in to see the new psychiatrist in a timely manner--1 or 2 weeks max. You can all take it from there.