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sent home by ED in a state

sent home by ED in a state

Hi everyone and thanks for the kind words.

For the first time I have really reached out for help and again my hand was slapped away by mental health services. I know looking at those websites where they said all the same horrible stuff as my partner totally triggered me and sent me into the worst episode I have had in my life. My anxiety was a 10, my depression was a 10, my rage was a 10, suicidal thoughts were a 10 and was feeling terrified and completely out of control. I spoke to mental health triage and they told me to go to the hospital. I left work at lunch (they think something else was wrong) went to local ED and was treated like a complete nuisance. I waited by myself in a hysterical state in the hospital for 2.5 hours, then a very young lady doctor spoke to me and maybe because of the state I was in but I'm definite she rolled her eyes at me. The they sent in the mental health woman who was the same lady I had in DBT, I was so glad to see a familiar face but that soon turned into complete rage. She asked how I was and then just started lecturing me how I should have my DBT book with me in the hospital, saying things that she didnt even know like you have felt this way before you will feel better again, I tried to explain no I havent felt this severe that's why I'm here because I dont know whats going one with me, she actually then said to me "what did you hope to achieve by coming here" I told her to get breathing space to make sure I'm safe and others are safe, maybe check my meds and I was told by mental health triage to come. She said to me you know there are no real meds for BPD and you know you will get over this, meanwhile I'm trying to admit 2 other patients. No compassion I was basically treated like a child having a tantrum (classic BPD), she then walked off and said its going to be hours before anyone can see you I think you should go home. I then stormed off as my rage built that much I thought I was going to tear the ED apart. I then was so much in a rage and so much more depressed and feeling completely worthless I was adamant I was going to do something stupid just to spite her - I didnt obviously. I was hardly in a condition to drive but I made it home. I had sent a text to my partner from the hospital. When I got home I just collapsed in bed in a total mess and what happens I get another lecture from my partner - basically the exact same thing.

So it appears no one gives a shit if you have BPD and well I had to make a decision over the weekend I guess do I want to live or not. If I do I have to know that its a lonely path as there is no one in my life to support me physically, not even mental health services! I guess I want to keep going otherwise I wouldnt be here. Things are now much better at home, I'm calm but not sure how I'm feeling except for guilty, very ashamed and stupid.

When I told this lady that I was going to be reassessed so that my meds could be reviewed she said I was wasting peoples time and that my GP has no idea and no one really understands BPD.

WAY TO GO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES!!!!!

I have only learnt that I will never reach out again, it seems the very few times I have in my life I get mocked and get no help and made to feel even worthless by society and mental health services and it just secures my beliefs that people are horrible and nasty and I would rather live my life in total isolation.

59 replies

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In response to: sent home by ED in a state

Re: sent home by ED in a state

Well done @Change123. Good on you for sending that through. No they shouldn't get away with it.

In response to: sent home by ED in a state

Re: sent home by ED in a state

@Change123 I've been wanting to write this for a while but I was a bit worried about doing so. My road in to receive any help from the public system nearly ended in me not making it. For about 6 months before I attempted suicide my counsellor and GP had been ringing ACIS (now known as mental health triage) telling them that I was really unwell. I was running away from home and my kids a lot and struggling everyday. One night my counsellor got me to go to the ED and she met me there as she really wanted me to have a psychiatric assessment. She stayed with me for 4 hours until about 3:00am then I sent her home as she had to work the next day. I was sent home two hours later with the mental health nurse telling me I just needed a good rest. Two months later I attempted and got the shock of my life when I eventually came to and thought I was in hell. I'd been found unconscious by my partner and he called an ambulance. Even at that point when I was medically cleared they wanted to send me home and it was my counsellor who again fought for a psychiatric assessment. I then spent a few weeks in a psych ward. I'm telling you this because you did the right thing going to ED but please don't ever end up like I did. It is the one place you are meant to feel safe but our funding doesn't allow for that sometimes. I have also found my experiences with ED have varied depending on the mental health nurse but I've only gone there about 4 times before without SH. The last three have been since it's been in my mental health safety plan.

Ive read a few posts and it seems you have picked up a bit since then. It's really nice to see you so supportive on the forum too. Best of luck with everything. 💜🤗

In response to: Re: sent home by ED in a state

Re: sent home by ED in a state

Thanks @Former-Member

I hope you were not worried on my account. I like to know different perspectives so I can reality check my own and if I am doing something wrong or acting too BPD then I actually want people to tell me.

Cant remember if you are from SA but I had a horrible experience with ACIS too quite a few years for my partner. I wasnt diagnosed as yet and my partner had a complete melt down with depression and was suicidal because of some issues with the neighbours that got seriously out of control. At that stage my partner wanted to be admitted and it was the first opportunity I have had with him to be seen properly as he was diangosed with bipolar 15 years prior and not on meds. I thought great they will properly review him and he will get the treatment he needs. BUT NO!!!!! they told me he was better off at home so I had to take time off to be on suicide watch and then when I went to work I had to beg them to go and see him.

Anyway yes I'm much better and fortunately I was waiting for a review from a pysch on my meds and an appointment was cancelled so instead of having to wait the extra 5 weeks they got me in 5 days after my meltdown. The increase in anxiety meds has helped a little but will be seeing the gp next week to see if I need to increase as per the plan of the pysch.

I now what flipped me out that day, I have been internalising so much and with home being on the verge of exploding and then work getting to be the same I think I was at breaking point anyway. Then that morning at work I came across a website that showed just how much some partners hate their bpd spouses and one lady even wished her partner dead! This was the trigger that just gave me the worse meltdown I have had in my life.

By the way I'm not letting them get away with it, I followed up mental health commission as I heard nothing and they sent a link for complaints etc for medical issues with the government. I did that 2 days ago and if I dont hear back I will keep following up.

Hope you are feeling much better in yourself as well Teej!

Take care.

🙂

In response to: Re: sent home by ED in a state

Re: sent home by ED in a state

Hi Everyone

I just wanted to advise that I got a formal response to my complaint from Service & Health Commission via a letter.

They have passed this on to the CEO at southern adelaide health network and I'm meant to have a response within 30 days.

I'm glad that I have been atleast heard, I really dont expect much to happen as we all know they protect each other but at least if one voice is heard maybe someone will take notice and this b...! might not be given the chance to potential make someone do something to themselves. I feel better knowing I have done something and have some sense of control but we will see what happens.

In response to: sent home by ED in a state

Re: sent home by ED in a state

Hi @Change123
Well done. It's comforting to get a response that effectively says 'we're taking your complaint seriously '. If their final determination appears to be pushing it all under the carpet contact the ombudsman with copies to the state Health Minister as well as the federal minister.
Take care 🎶💕

In response to: Re: sent home by ED in a state

Re: sent home by ED in a state

Thanks @Kurra

I will do that, I just dont think people should get away with treating us like crap because they believe we are just children having tantrums! 🙂

In response to: Re: sent home by ED in a state

Re: sent home by ED in a state

Hi @Change123

I'm sorry you were treated the way you were in ED. It really gets up my nose when patients with MI or BPD or any mental illness get treated the way you have and others have.

On Sunday I actually called the CAT team and spoke to a guy. He was the most rudest guy i have spoken to; he literally just kept talking and talking, and i sat there holding the phone and felt like a little kid being told off. I wasn't strong enough to tell him where to go. If only they knew how sensitive we (BPD sufferers) are and how any little negative comment or slight criticism is taken so far out of control and feels huge.

I'm still angry at that and I am not a little child, but boy did i feel like it that day.

Glad you got a reply and keep taking it further if you are not happy with the way it ends.

In response to: sent home by ED in a state

Re: sent home by ED in a state

@Change123. Well done for following through on this. We need more people to stand up and demand respect and better treatment in the mental health system.

In response to: Re: sent home by ED in a state

Re: sent home by ED in a state

Hi all

Incase any of you are interested I recieved another letter stating it has gone to Consumer Advisory Service Southern Adelaide Local Network. (address is Flidners Medical Centre) They are now investigating it and say I will receive a response in 35 days. It sounds liek they are taking it seriously. Maybe one of the moderators can advise if they know if passing onto the above agency is a good or bad thing. I'm just hoping in the process of this the mental health nurse responsible is held accountable for her actions. I'm not in the frame of mind of wanting something bad for her just for her to realise she was wrong would be a a break through.

I'm actually feeling really positive about this and in a really good mood. I know I will be pissed if my complaint is just dismissed but will worry about that if and when it comes to it - at the moment I'm just enjoying feeling good about myself for a "change"! At least I stood up for myself and didnt let another person treat me like a door mat so that has given me some more confidence in my self.

In response to: sent home by ED in a state

Re: sent home by ED in a state

Good on you!!
I had huge problems with that hospital last year. I wish I had complained but felt like any complaint I made would be written off because of my BPD diagnosis.
thankfully my GP referred me to a private psych who does MBT which has worked well for me.
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