CernunnosContributor
Spouse in treatment facility refusing to allow visitation
Hi all - I've been scanning these forums for over a week now and really looking for sensible advice.
My partner of 18 years had a mental health episode involving hallucinations last week for which I took her to her GP, which she agreed was necessary. The GP did the usual check with her, with me out of the room, that I was not being abusive or coercive, and satisfied i wasn't let me back into the room. She gave a strategy for tests and an escalation plan to ED.
That evening she had to be admitted to ED, and then transferred as a voluntary patient to a "low risk" intensive care ward. The next day she awoke not knowing how she got there and attacked me for getting her admitted without consent. She articulated that I've basically guaranteed divorce. Throughout the day she came to accept she needed to be there, and was diagnosed with PTSD. Her mood was normal with me in the afternoon and accepting of the way forward together. She was allowed to discharge the next day with a prescription for a low dose of meds.
However within 6 hours of her discharge she had a major episode and had to be readmitted through ED. She was fast tracked back to the unit - however I ensured the Mental Health Nurse carefully articulated the voluntary admission process and the authority of the doctor to permit discharge provided there was a sufficient care & support plan.
Once back in the ward she turned hostile on me again - holding a seemingly incompatible view that she needed to stay there as long as it was necessary, but again I had facilitated in the violation of her rights through the original admission. I recognised there was no way to reason with her and left for my own psychological safety.
Today I returned to the ward with a bag of clothes - and the front desk nurse made it clear that she had expressed a wish that I not be permitted to enter her room. I recognised the risk if I insisted and left voluntarily. As you can imagine, this has been incredibly distressing, and I have activated my mental health support networks to cope.
I am now in a quandary - I can likely call each morning to ascertain whether her mood has shifted permitting me to see and support her. But if it doesn't, and she is considered to have enough decision making capacity to remain voluntary, it would appear I would be effectively cut out understanding her treatment plan or being involved in any strategy on future discharge.
I think you might understand I am very worried about whether this is a prelude to something that forces me to vacate our home - do I need to have a preliminary discussion with a lawyer if this continues. We also have a 12 year old son who has been very aware of his mothers behaviour throughout this. These fears might also be for nothing as she is only 2 days into titration on the meds, it might all come good.
Appreciate any sensible advice as I am at a loss as to what to do next.
