Does it sound like bipolar?

Yeah, it's sucky all around.

For patients who genuinely need medication, I think providers need to work with them and compromise to find a solution that works for everybody involved. It's pretty sh_tty to force someone to take meds that give them bad side effects. I mean, most of the time people don't take their meds because of the side effects, yet here they are being forced into taking something that gives them akathisia, TD, etc.. It's messed up. It really is. I know these docs want their patients to be safe, but that still doesn't mean it isn't messed up.

Sometimes I think mental health providers have TOO MUCH power in these regards.

Yes IP pdocs can be a bit pushy about getting people on a Med, they can put a hold on you if you flat refuse.

I’ll tell what I have told people before ... if you truly don’t want meds even tho you sound up IP , just take them and stop when your discharged.

Meds are a choice , unless as Blue mentioned getting in trouble legally

I have been Med free since last March.. it was a well planned taper off each Med separately, Psych and many meds for physical problems.

Has it been easy ?? No , I have had to deal with a lot of stressful situational things pop up.. but I have a huge tool box of coping skills and a good support system. I just had to take a break from ingesting so many chemicals daily

Will I need meds again?? Absolutely Yes.. why ? Because I don’t want to suffer if my coping skills lose effect. I also owe it to my husband to be the mentally healthiest person possible for him and for other family and friends.

I feel in general... if anyone is solo and doesn’t have anyone depending on them .... if you don’t want meds then don’t take them, but if your unable to stay functional and hold down a job etc and stay out of legal trouble.. then meds full time needs to taken seriously

Remember that Every action and decision has a reaction and consequences.

Good luck !

Yes this ^

I have talked to numerous people over the years this happened.

I live in an European country, here it is really hard to legally force someone to take meds.... But you know, one of my IP pdoc just told me if I didnt take meds he wouldn't allow me to go outside during evenings (It wasnt a closed unit, almost everyone was allowed to go out for 3-4h from 4:00pm to 8:00pm), I explained him I was taking care of a ferret that would starve if I wasnt allowed to go home (I want to point out I lived in front of the hospital... Literally in front of....).

His answer was "Let it starve, then".

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluebicycle Yeah, it's sucky all around. For patients who genuinely need medication, I think providers need to work with them and compromise to find a solution that works for everybody involved. It's pretty sh_tty to force someone to take meds that give them bad side effects. I mean, most of the time people don't take their meds because of the side effects, yet here they are being forced into taking something that gives them akathisia, TD, etc.. It's messed up. It really is. I know these docs want their patients to be safe, but that still doesn't mean it isn't messed up. Sometimes I think mental health providers have TOO MUCH power in these regards.

It's such a tough call, especially if the patient is a danger to themselves or others. And one pdoc might have a different opinion than the patient's pdoc, but the patient has to live with whatever their own pdoc prescribes.

All of this said, however, is just one possibility...most people have a choice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OliverB I live in an European country, here it is really hard to legally force someone to take meds.... But you know, one of my IP pdoc just told me if I didnt take meds he wouldn't allow me to go outside during evenings (It wasnt a closed unit, almost everyone was allowed to go out for 3-4h from 4:00pm to 8:00pm), I explained him I was taking care of a ferret that would starve if I wasnt allowed to go home (I want to point out I lived in front of the hospital... Literally in front of....). His answer was "Let it starve, then".

I'm sorry, OliverB. Some pdocs can be such mean people. Fortunately, those pdocs are rare.

But good that you live in Europe! That gives you more options.

Well. I will only say, having spent many, many years in my state's rather notorious state hospital system, which, quite sadly, is in most ways, typical of every other state (with a few obvious exceptions), the idea that patients just have virtually no say in whether they take meds or not is just not what happens. Not here, anyway. Even if you are on a hold or a full civil commit or a forensic patient serving a sentence or an aid and assist patient, most states now have a Med Court, whose sole purpose is to adjudicate these cases. And they do. Psychiatrists can't just force us to take a bunch of meds we don't want to take without us having any recourse in this country. That would be completely ridiculous and barbaric.

So, I know that a number of people here on this thread disagree with me, but, I do not think it is accurate to paint the picture in the current United States, that psychiatrists are just throwing people on meds all over the place without their consent or some kind of appeals process. That just isn't happening virtually anywhere in the US, in my opinion. If someone knows of a state in the current USA where this is occurring, please tell me, if you can, as I would love to read about it and learn more. Thanks!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpcyclist Well. I will only say, having spent many, many years in my state's rather notorious state hospital system, which, quite sadly, is in most ways, typical of every other state (with a few obvious exceptions), the idea that patients just have virtually no say in whether they take meds or not is just not what happens. Not here, anyway. Even if you are on a hold or a full civil commit or a forensic patient serving a sentence or an aid and assist patient, most states now have a Med Court, whose sole purpose is to adjudicate these cases. And they do. Psychiatrists can't just force us to take a bunch of meds we don't want to take without us having any recourse in this country. That would be completely ridiculous and barbaric. So, I know that a number of people here on this thread disagree with me, but, I do not think it is accurate to paint the picture in the current United States, that psychiatrists are just throwing people on meds all over the place without their consent or some kind of appeals process. That just isn't happening virtually anywhere in the US, in my opinion. If someone knows of a state in the current USA where this is occurring, please tell me, if you can, as I would love to read about it and learn more. Thanks!!!

This thread sure presents some interesting information and questions.

I've checked around a bit online and it's difficult to come up with a "yes or no" as far as mandated treatment. There is the Assisted Outpatient Treatment program, which supposedly mandates severely mentally ill people to comply with medication treatment. But the truth is that the AOT varies from state to state, and even from city to city. For example, the program is a legal term in San Francisco, but is almost never enforced there.

When all is said and done it seems that the AOT is done on a case by case basis and, on top of that, is dependent upon which MD deems a patient "severely" mentally ill and how the case shakes down legally - and definitely by jurisdiction.

I'm reading this thread and am sending hugs.

The pdoc can refuse treatment, and label you med noncompliant. This can effect the help for your future mental health. Also, if you are a danger to yourself or others, they can get a court order to keep you IP until they determine you are ready to be released. This would strongly imply the taking of your meds. So what your saying here is true but only to a point.

There are always ways around ones rights for people who are determined to be seriously mentally ill. This is what happened to a friend. She was arrested by the police. She was forced to stay IP for a month. Before a judge, he ordered her to see a court appointed psychiatrist. Also, she cannot leave the county without permission. So remaining med compliant is in her future.

IIRC I cannot afford to be involuntarily committed. They may come to my home and take away all my very expensive antique firearms.

Hi @OliverB I read in another thread that you were going to do an internship in a pharmacy. Is that happening at the moment? The reason I mention this is if you are maybe you could work half shifts to take some of the pressure off.

No we can't diagnose here but we can sympathize with you.
I hope that the visit to your p'doc in a week can be helpful for you. You can't know what they will suggest or diagnose. They wont think you are faking it. I have found it helpful in the past to write things down before I go so that I wont forget anything.

Mental illness is no respecter of persons. Can you call the psychiatrist's rooms and see if you can pick up any cancelled appointments?

I don't have a pdoc rigth now, and my therapist (a psychologist) only works two days a week... I am seeing him on Wednesday
Yeah, It is a great idea to write everything that has been happening.... I am doing it tonigth.

I am doing OK at the hospital 😄

I guess I am going to make a Tinder or Meet up account, I need to meet people.

Just be cautious on Tinder, not all those people are the most reliable and, as you know, some--including many, many women--only want quickie sex.

Ok, I guess I need some sort of help.

I do not.want to be.sick

I am seeing my therapist in 1h

I hope everything went well for you at your visit!!

It went reaaally mega super fantastic.

He got what I was taking about when I told him I felt like depressed but unable to rest, always doing something, with no stop thoughts one after the other.

I am doing better since I am sleeping 6h a day.

We talked about focusing on keep going day by day. I told him I was worried I would end up IP again. He said he doesnt think being IP in the past means I will end up IP again. I have developed good coping skills. He said what I call "experiences" and "phenomena" are psychotic in nature, but what does matter is what I do when I am having them. The same when I am having abnormal moods. Oh, and how to get enough rest, I get really irritable and moody and a bit SUI when I am hyperactive and depressed if I am not able to sleep, It makes me much more depressed/agitated and I end up sligthly psychotic. He said he doesnt believe medication is the answer for everyone.

He encouraged me to write more (I write a lot when I cant rest).

He knows I would rather avoid medication since they impair my cognition and after finishing my degree I am going to enter a PhD program. Yeahp, one of my professors likes my brain

I am working A LOT on my final year project.

More and more coping.

Next appointment in 3 month ahahah