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Moral dilema

RoverContributor28 Feb 2015, 9:45 am AEDT

Moral dilema

Hi,

My 21 year old daughter has dillusions but is very guarded about them as she was previously hospitalised for pyschosis late last year (see earlier post 'Has my daughter got schizophrenia'). She is not living at home and for anyone not knowing her state of mind she appears to be functioning normally. She has a mental health team trying to work with her (through Headspace and they have been fantastic) but she refuses to engage with them. She does not take any medication and has never had any insight into her illness. My dilema is that her health team are suggesting that she is re-hospitalised, obviously against her will, before she gets to the state she was last year. I know they are working with the best interest of my daughter but I am not convinced that the trauma and loss of trust that she will feel for me is worth it. The team inform me that the longer she lives in her current 'pretend' world the harder it will be for her to ever lead a normal life. She is not a threat to herself or anyone at this stage but she has isolated herself from all friends, has no intention to work, stays mostly inside her flat all day and never choices to socialise.

Has anyone had to make this decision?

4 replies

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In response to: Moral dilema

NikNikSenior Contributor01 Mar 2015, 7:06 pm AEDT

Re: Moral dilema

Hi @Rover

I can completely understand the dilemma you're in. You have a lot of loyalty to your daughter. But the act of giving permission for the mental health team to take her into care, isn't compromising that loyalty.

You're looking after her safety. She may not understand this and may take it out on you, but she will be where she can be cared for and given the best chance of getting well.

I can't help but reread @Benny 's post in your original thread 'Does my daughter have schizophrenia' where he talks about how he's managed schizophrenia. It just gives so much hope to your daughter's situation.

It's a tough one, but the community is here to listen and support you in whatever decision you make 🙂

In response to: Moral dilema

LouiseSenior Contributor02 Mar 2015, 9:18 pm AEDT

Re: Moral dilema

I understand it must be hard. As a parent you want the best for your child. But you don't want to jeopardise the trusting relationship you have with her. It does sound as though re-hospitalisation would be in her best interests. While she is unwell she may be angry with you about it, but I think as she becomes well and gains insight that anger would drop away.

In response to: Moral dilema

Alessandra1992Senior Contributor02 Mar 2015, 9:28 pm AEDT

Re: Moral dilema

Would your daughter consider attending a Voices group? Voices Vic run groups throughout metro Melbourne, have a look at their website www.voicesvic.org au

In response to: Moral dilema

ivanaSenior Contributor14 Apr 2015, 3:12 pm AEST

Re: Moral dilema

Hows your daughter now Rover?

Usually i would say that the persons autonomy should be respected,that they should be involved in their own healthcare decisions rather then it being somthing "done to them" and that getting and maintaning trust is most paramount.

However,i read your other post regarding your daughters paranoia symtoms and it does appear she has no insight at all so i can see why your in a moral dillema.

Is your daughter able to be reasoned with at all?Ie:is she able to even consider that her version of reality might not be the way it is or is she totally fixed on these beliefs?

When she was hospitalised previously did it help or not?

Was she given any medication during this time period?

Dis she percieve that the experience was traumatic and that she was treated disrespectfully or was she ok with her hospital experience at the time?

If she was ok with it at the time then perhaps she could write and sign an advanced directive?

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