[DaveNTexas]

This is my first post. My wife is in her late 40s and appears to be suffering from a complete nervous breakdown, and I don't know what to do. The medical hospital sent her to a psych hospital and they've hardly communicated with us in 4 days. To make matters worse, this happened while on vacation out of state, and it doesn't look like they will be ready to release her to us when we're scheduled to head home. She won't see me or my kids and is under the delusion that she's being poisoned. She has no history of mental illness. This all seems to have started when she missed her first flight to meet us here. She's had a terrible, stressful year and lost two close family members.
The psych hospital finally acknowledged that she was in their care yesterday, but it doesn't sound like they've been able to help her. She won't answer their questions. She's isolating herself. Won't that make things worse?

[shortandcute]

Hi, and welcome to PC. I;m not sure what tp tell you, but I know that's gotta be rough. I;m sorry you.re going through all that.

[Stuck1nhead]

Did they determine that she is at risk??? Or did she admit herself???

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I don't know if you have the means to do so, but you might want to consult an attorney as to her prospects and your options. You are in a tricky situation and need local competent legal advice. Involuntary hospitalization and the admission into and discharge from involuntary inpatient psychiatric care are performed according to protocols dictated by law, and if you don't know your (wife's) rights, your trip could quickly become protracted, traumatic and expensive.

[DaveNTexas]

She was determined to be at risk. Her sister is now her proxy, and she is receiving involuntary Zyprexa injections. They will allow her sister to drive her to a local facility once she is no longer at risk.

[avlady]

this is an awful situation to be in. all i know is when i was hospitalized in the 1980s things were alot more different. then last year i spent a few days there and it was bliss compared to what it used to be.i just will pray she is treated well, good luck

[Michelea]

You and your family have had a lot to take in and try to understand during a short period of time, a very difficult task for anyone.

I'm sorry you guys are having to deal with all this. Please continue to post here whenever you want to vent, ask questions, update us on how your wife is doing, or anything else.

[BipolarMama31]

Im so sorry your family is going thru this!
Does her sister live close to where she is staying? Was she court ordered as her proxy? Im not 100% on how that works.

Have you been able to see her yet?

When i was ip, my husband spoke with my caregivers everday and saw me everyday. They updated him constantly on my plan of care and plan to be discharged. Have they communicated this with you or her sister?

Hoping for the best! At least she is in a safe place right now. It does sound like a breakdown after a long stretch of major stress.

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[Unrigged64072835]

Sorry that you, your wife, and your family are going through this. I do hope she recovers and can rejoin you and your kids.

[DaveNTexas]

I have not been able to see or speak with her, but her sister has been speaking with her. She's still altered and refusing to take medications voluntarily, so we will need to go through the same process in Texas, delivering her first to the ER, deeming her unfit to decide for herself, and holding her in psych. I'm guessing that she'll be held in acute care until a psychiatrist finds her fit to make her own decisions.

[Michelea]

Glad to hear that she will be getting moved here and is open to talking with her sister.

Hope her delusions fade quickly and there is a speedy resolution/recovery for what she is going through.

Originally Posted by DaveNTexas

This is my first post. My wife is in her late 40s and appears to be suffering from a complete nervous breakdown, and I don't know what to do. The medical hospital sent her to a psych hospital and they've hardly communicated with us in 4 days. To make matters worse, this happened while on vacation out of state, and it doesn't look like they will be ready to release her to us when we're scheduled to head home. She won't see me or my kids and is under the delusion that she's being poisoned. She has no history of mental illness. This all seems to have started when she missed her first flight to meet us here. She's had a terrible, stressful year and lost two close family members.
The psych hospital finally acknowledged that she was in their care yesterday, but it doesn't sound like they've been able to help her. She won't answer their questions. She's isolating herself. Won't that make things worse?

It sounds like she's in the process of getting stabilized. They didn't speak to the sister until she consented due to confidentiality laws.

You'll likely need her patient code to speak to her. She will be the one to give it to you when she is well enough. Visit her if she's amenable. There likely will be a family meeting with the psychiatrist and her to discuss diagnosis and treatment ongoing.

Hang in there. She's safe. She is in the process of stabilizing. But she's safe. That's the primary thing. Good luck.

[DaveNTexas]

We've been back in Texas for 2 weeks, and she's still stuck in Florida and now has a court-appointed guardian who hasn't communicated with anyone. I don't know when we'll be able to move her or even communicate with the doctors again.

This sounds very stressful. I'd (politely) call the GAL daily and leave a message. Ask for a status update. The GAL may be able to set up a conference call with you and her psychiatrist.

Sometimes the GAL is an attorney, sometimes not. I suspect you have a GAL that means well but is very busy. I have some experience in this area. If the GAL is an attorney, call the law firm where they work and ask to speak to their administrative assistant. Be polite. This person may help you get in touch with the GAL more easily. Set up a conference call between you and the GAL.

Also, there may not legally be much to report right now. However, the GAL can answer your questions, etc. It sounds like being politely proactive and getting in touch with them will help, rather than waiting for them to contact you.

Keep us posted. Good luck. Please note this isn't legal advice, just a supportive member's perspective. =]

[DaveNTexas]

The GAL has not contacted any of us, including my wife, though we've asked for a call. The hospital won't tell us who the GAL is or how to get in touch other than to wait for a call.

I see. That does make sense, I suppose, as the GAL is representing the best interests of your wife, not the family. Hang in there.

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[Wild Coyote]

I am reading and am shocked that you have no more access to info than you have reported. I totally believe you; yet, am so sorry. It's hard to believe we can lose a loved one into a system like this and can be left wondering what's happening!

If she's been ordered to take medication, then they know she's ill. It seems like their knowledge that she is ill would somehow free someone up to say something to family being treated as "outsiders."

My heart goes out to all of you.

I hope you will be given pertinent info. soon.


WC

A court-appointed guardian who hasn't communicated with anyone. Glad to hear that they're taking your crisis seriously. You're in a tight spot and your very serious concerns are not being addressed. Spring for a lawyer, brother. Do you have 'Rainy Day' emergency funds? It's raining.

[Shaly78]

I'm so sorry for your pain have been there as well a mental breakdown in 2013 after a dx 2012 it begin to really really impact to the point of mental breakdown in 2013. Within a matter of a few months... I would say seek the counsel of a peer specialist she needs to be validated she might take offense to delusion until everyone involves proves that it actually is a delusion. It could be depression flashback unresolved trauma that finally surfaces after being undetected since she had no previous mental health history. Keep in close contact until she is back to health and please for her sake and I know you will try not to stigmatize her so that she doesn't feel made fun of.

[DaveNTexas]

They released her. She's back home now, but she's still psychotic.

[Michelea]

Even though she still has issues, it must have been nice to finally see her again.

Is she going to any type of therapy now that she is back home?

[DaveNTexas]

She's lying about taking her medication, refusing treatment, food, and water, and sleeping all day. I'm going to need to work on another involuntary inpatient scenario. She's acting just like she was a month ago when all of this started.

I hope she stabilizes soon. Does she have a history of mental illness or is this the first time she's gotten sick mentally? Regardless, thanks for the update. Keep us posted.

[DaveNTexas]

I suspect that she's had an undiagnosed anxiety disorder and depression for a long time. She hasn't been willing to see a doctor about anything in the past 10 years or so. She's never suffered with something so acute though.

[Michelea]

Sorry you are having to deal with all this. Hopefully it is resolved soon.

How are you and the kids doing?