Things just seem to be getting harder

I've been struggling with depression for sometime and 2 years ago reached out to a T, and later on a Pdoc. I was put on antidepressants and the SI got worse. I kept telling them, but they didn't do anything. I'm now being weened off one drug and will start another one in a short time. I don't know what to do it this doesn't work. There's been talk about hospitalization and ect. I've never been so freaked out and I don't know if I should be telling either of them how I feel for fear of what they might do.
Can they really force you against you will?

I don't know where you are, so I can't give you specific feedback re laws regarding involuntary admission to a psychiatric hospital.

I can tell you that it's not done easily or lightly. In Canada two psychiatrists have to agree that you're a danger to yourself or others in order to be admitted involuntarily. And SI unless it's seriously out of control, would not normally be sufficient. They usually only admit for strong SU impulses.

And in both Can & the US they can only hold you for 72 hours in order to do an assessment, if they feel you require further treatment and you don't agree they can go through another process to hold you involuntarily for another set period. In Ontario it's 2 weeks, and it has to go before a review board where you have the chance to appeal.

They can not force you to have ECT. There has to be your informed consent for any treatment to take place. That's true for any medical procedure unless it's an emergency and you're unconcious.

I'd urge you to be totally honest with your T and pdoc. That's the only way that they'll be able to help you.

If they're suggesting hospitalization, they must think you require a greater level of care to help stabilize you. Consider it. I've been In patient in a psych hospital twice, and both times it really helped me. And it's much better to go in voluntarily as you have much more freedom as a patient that way.

splitimage

Are things getting harder for you because you are digging into things in therapy?

I know it can be difficult, but if you don't be completely honest with your T and pdoc, then they can't help you. I have been in a psych hospital twice. I am not going to lie....it wasn't fun, but it was what I needed to get stablilized so that I could go back to my life. It was very scary going in, but I am so glad that a pdoc (sent me the first time) and my T (sent me the second time) cared enough to send me becuase that is what I needed, although I didn't believe it at the time and thought they were way over reacting.

Maybe...I'm trying to be as open as possible. Only problem is that my T doesn't make it so easy. He keeps asking me what he can do to support me....isn't that his job to actually know?

I have be honest about everything. Things got much worse since they put me on antidepressants! It feels like 5 months of hell!!! Finaly the Pdoc decided it wasn't working and by within the next 2 days....I'll finally be off them! Yesterday was the first day that I actually felt like myself! I was able to do things, I could take care of things and I acctually felt "normal"!

I'm glad that they did what was right for you. It seems to have obviously been the best decision for you.
For me...well I don't think its the right thing. I have spoken to both openly, but when I tell them that I think that it's the antidepressants that is making me feel this way---they tend to not think so. I guess they haven't taken notes on when I started!.
Anyway, I'm almost completely off the meds...and just have 3 days left to go. At this point I fell like myself again. I know that the Pdoc wants to put me on something else, but if I'm feeling well and going to T...I don't know if I'm willing to try it again. The pain and anguish it cost me didn't prove to help.

I'm glad that you are feeling better. You do have the right to not take meds. If you aren't taking meds then you don't have to see the pdoc.

He is probably trying to include you in your treatment. This is good and empowering. Empowerment is very good for mental health. It is vital actually.

I have 2 more days to go before I'm completely off the meds. Obviously I'm reluctant to take anything else because of the bad experience that I had. I'm hoping that I'll be able to arrange a meeting with both the Pdoc and T together after I've been off for at least a week to see what they think. I can't say that I don't need help, but I just want to be able to get the right help.

I see what you're saying...I hope that I'll be able to figure this one out.