Being sent home from hospital too early.

Hi @Jo, when my son was in the psych ward of a public hospital they told us the average stay was about 5 weeks. The meds can take many weeks to reach full effect. It's tiring visiting every day, I was doing a long round trip, rural to city and back, and sometimes I'd get to the hospital and he'd be asleep, having had a restless and unsettled night. Perhaps consider a day off from visiting if you need it. Pleased to hear they didn't send your son home early. We sometimes got mixed messages from staff and found it best to talk to the head Dr whenever possible.

Hi @patientpatient thank you. At the moment I have been told they won't discharge my son prematurely but over the years hospitals have done so...sending him home with a plastic bag full of pills and prescriptions...far too early. I am hoping and trusting all will be okay this time. Thanks so much for your encouraging words. I really appreciate them. X

Hello @Jo

I remember how drained I was and on auto pilot when my son was detained.

it was the shock of the diagnosis too. I honestly didn't know how I would be able to deal with the little I could do for him.

Then changing my thoughts to one day at a time, just dealing with now it helped.

asking so many questions, researching online, carers Australia and sane forum here.

I learnt from these forums that we don't always get the answers we hope for, the solutions we desire.

We can be heard. We can find hope.

also it helps me tremendously if I can respond to others especially those in similar situations.

so I say to you, what a wonderful mother you are. Your son takes some of this in.

so again please take some time out for you. Xx

Thanks so much @Former-Member for your kind words and wise advice. I began this thread to emphasise the habit of psychiatric hospitals discharging patients way too early but I 'stamped my foot' at the hospital this time and hopefully they will keep my son in there until he is 100% ready to go home. I try to take care of myself by going to bed very early at night. My frustration at hospitals discharging patients too soon began in 1975 when I was carer to my sister who had schizophrenia and then my nephew who developed the same illness. They were constantly released far too early which eventally led to their premature deaths. The situation at psychiatric hospitals has improved since the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s but is still not perfect.
At the moment my son shows no significant improvement despite being in hospital for 22 days. They are experimenting now, with new medications. A long drawn- out process. I find it very difficult to take time out for myself because I want to drive to the hospital every day in the hope of seeing some improvement. Maybe once that occurs I'll find it easier to do so. I really appreciate your advice and kindness. Everything you say is so very true. Thank you again @Former-Member . X

@Jo

words cannot convey how you must feel

i am left speechless by your reply

a reminder of how we must never assume

how i must not think that by pouring out my compassion, empathy to another; that person will sense some peace, relief.

i understand now how you cannot tear yourself away from that hospital; you cannot dare to not visit every day. you are reliving all of your previous losses.

you have experienced too much pain for one lifetime

i am in awe of you Jo

please, please, be kind to yourself in preparation for when your son leaves. He will need you more when he comes out of hospital. Although he is probably not receiving what we would consider the best care it is adequate for his safety whilst the medication starts to take effect.

@patientpatient @Grasshopper3 @Former-Member

keep on talking to these lovely people here, all carers who have their own experiences each different, yet just as heartwrenching at times.

I will try to log on while I am away and write to you. I am not a technology lover in the least so the operative word is try.

please all look after yourselves xxx

Thanks @Former-Member. No change unfortunately. X

@Jo

I just love @Former-Member checking up on you, I think she is a very special person!

xx