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I dont know what to do anymore

Mum-needs-helpCasual Contributor18 July 2016, 7:57 pm AEST

I dont know what to do anymore

Sorry im new here and just need somewhere to vent to get ideas/help.

Firstly i have bipolar 2 and sruggle with depression which feels like most of my life. Recently my oldest son tried to commit suicide, he was found im time and was taken to a youth inpatient unit. He was discharged on a Monday afternoon and then overdosed on that Wednesday morning. Back in hospital, back to the inpatient unit. they want to dischage him on Thursday which would be just over two weeks since he went in (this second time)

I know he's hurting, and he needs help, but this has taken a huge toll on me to the point where im not okay, im not safe, and i dont know how im going to be able to look after him when hes back home. He will need 24/7 watch and i can barely walk a straight line and not cry. Help! What do i do??

I am single, have no friends, very little family so bascially no support. I dont know how to keep going

11 replies

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In response to: I dont know what to do anymore

PrincessJasmineSenior Contributor18 July 2016, 8:30 pm AEST

Re: I dont know what to do anymore

Can you please read my story as a mum also , and I have just suffered a death of a dear loved one . I think it will help you xxx

In response to: I dont know what to do anymore

PrincessJasmineSenior Contributor18 July 2016, 8:31 pm AEST

Re: I dont know what to do anymore

I also only just joined this sight also I know it's scary , but it does help to talk xxx sending love to you and your son xoxo

In response to: I dont know what to do anymore

PrincessJasmineSenior Contributor18 July 2016, 8:33 pm AEST

Re: I dont know what to do anymore

Just tap on my name that will tack you to my story's xxx

In response to: I dont know what to do anymore

pipSenior Contributor18 July 2016, 8:35 pm AEST

Re: I dont know what to do anymore

Hi Mum-needs-help. Do you have your own Dr, I suggest you get an appointment with your Dr, take your son with you. Tell your Dr what's going on, tell him you need help. Ask if it would be possible to have your son hospitalized as you're afraid for both of you. Also phone lifeline, ask for one of their trained counsellors.

In response to: Re: I dont know what to do anymore

MazaritaSenior Contributor18 July 2016, 9:45 pm AEST

Re: I dont know what to do anymore

Hi @Mum-needs-help,

So sorry you are in this very hard situation. I agree with @pip's suggestion to call Lifeline as another possible avenue of immediate support.

Crisis phone: 13 11 14 (24 hours a day)

Crisis chat: https://www.lifeline.org.au/Get-Help/Online-Services/crisis-chat (7pm-4am, 7 days)

Also, perhaps it is possible to talk to your son's treating doctors and explain the situation to them. They may decide to keep him hospitalised rather than discharge him. Just a thought. Your situation is really beyond my experience, which is also why it might be best for you to contact Lifeline in this instance. There you will find people trained in providing support. Here, we are supporting each other, only through our own life experience.

Keep posting here though as you wish. There may be others who are able to provide better advice than I have. Kindest wishes to you.

In response to: I dont know what to do anymore

-karma-Senior Contributor18 July 2016, 9:59 pm AEST

Re: I dont know what to do anymore

Welcome @mum_needs_help

all really great suggestions @pip

I think the way you are feeling would also be a really great conversation to have with the inpatient unit before your son is discharged if possible. Part of the discharge plan should focus on home life and supports, and if this is not possible or limited for what ever reason then other plans should be put in place to support him.

There are now step down facilities, (Prevention And Recovery Care-PARC) maybe a referral to this type of service with the ability to provide longer term support would be useful?

Who's there to support you? Do you see a therapist that may be able to provide extra support during this time, or even advocate on your behalf if you're not feeling up to it?

Best wishes

In response to: I dont know what to do anymore

Mum-needs-helpCasual Contributor19 July 2016, 12:42 pm AEST

Re: I dont know what to do anymore

Thanks for all the suggestions and help.

I hace tried talkibg to my sons team but they arent very helpful abd wont keep him in the unit. He is to be discharged on thursday no matter what bascially, they need the beds for other youth. He will be followed up weekly with a therapist from anitger department.

I have tried ringing my mental health departments bur not much luck there. I do see my phyciatrist on thursday before hes discharged, but again hes limited in what he can do. Im just keeping myself sedated for now so i can function.

I will ring the mental health line if needed but just dont know what else to do. If he comes home to an unstable mother i just hope it does not make him go backwards.

Thank you for listening and supporting

In response to: I dont know what to do anymore

Unknown userMember19 July 2016, 12:59 pm AEST

Re: I dont know what to do anymore

@Mum-needs-help I understand the feeling of getting nowhere with doctors and this system. You sound like an amazing mother trying so hard to find the right care for your son in this crisis.

In response to: Re: I dont know what to do anymore

Unknown userMember19 July 2016, 2:29 pm AEST

Re: I dont know what to do anymore

@mum-needs-help

I'm not sure what hospital your son is in. But if you are not happy I would ask for an urgent appointment to talk to the medical director at the hospital and explain your situation to him or her. Thats what I would do.

In response to: Re: I dont know what to do anymore

Unknown userMember19 July 2016, 2:33 pm AEST

Re: I dont know what to do anymore

The medical director is the administrator of the hospital.

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