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

@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

Hi @Bunniekins, 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

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

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

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

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