Inpatient

[Katiee]

When I was 15, after a serious suicide attempt, I was offered to go to a mental health unit. I said no; no more was said about it, they didn't encoruage me to go, tell me what it was like, nothing. It was simply a case of "do you want to go?"

Saying no was the biggest mistake of my life, I regret it so much.
I don't think I'd be ill now, again, if I had, I think my recovery would of been so much more successful.

Because of that, I feel I need to do something drastic again, to be offered to go to a unit and this time say yes.

I've never been in a mental health unit, but honestly, I know think it would of benifitted me a lot more in the long run.

I actually don't know what to do, this has been eating me up inside for the past year. :ermm:

[whirlpools]

You don't have to do something drastic to go inpatient, so please try talking to someone before you do - what if you hurt yourself and you don't survive?

You can go to A&E and explain to them how risky you're feeling. I can say that (if you're an adult) going inpatient almost certainly won't stop your struggles as adult IP support tends to keep you safe in the moment and most treatment is provided just through medication. To get treatment, it might be better to ask about psychotherapy treatment - some areas offer specialist treatment for people with complex difficulties that will be quite intensive, and really quite helpful if you work really hard at it.

Good luck.

[not_so_insig]

If you have a psychatrist and an either an CPN/Social worker, you can ask to go to the psych unit through them. If you are clear in your explanation to why you need to be there (for example last year I requested to go in one because I was off my meds and drinking excessively. I knew unless I was in the unit I would never get back on my meds and stop drinking on my own. I only told my reasons why to my CPN, not my psych) they may agree with you and arrange hospital admission. Obviously it depends on the bed situation, and of course priority is given to sectioned patients, so it may mean you have to wait up to a week.

Like disappear said, you do not have to do anything drastic to be there. Admitting yourself that you need to be there is always the best option. Otherwise things may go downhill, and in the worst case you will be sectioned. Being there voluntarily means (in most cases) you get more freedom and also be there less time (sectioned means a minimum of 28 days) spent there. For me 10 days is sufficient: had I been sectioned I would have not been there that short a time. Voluntarily also means that it is easier to discharge you, sectioned is a hell of a lot harder (tribunals etc, and you have to be discharged by certain people, whereas with voluntary you can be discharged as long as your psych and/or the nurses are happy with your progress, and see you not as a danger to yourself).

So yes, if you are under any of the professionals I mentioned previously, talk to them. Most are more accommodating, and it is certainly easier than going to A&E. A&E I would personally only use if the professionals are not listening to you or you dont have any in the first place.

I note you say last year you were under 18. If you are under CAMHS then of course you can tell them (basically the same as CMHT) and again, they will arrange admission onto your nearest adolescent ward.

[Imperfect.Star]

Oh Katie, I understand. Just under a year ago my old psychiatrist wanted me to go inpatient at the priory and I was absolutely desperate not to so I refused and did everything I could to avoid it. Ever since, I've been wondering whether I made the right decision as I will never be able to take up the opportunity again but the problems still persist.
What I have to keep reminding myself is that at the time I made the decision it was what I felt was right at the time. I'm sure the same is true for you. Don't beat yourself up for the decision.
For right now, just be honest with whatever health professionals are looking after you and they will try to come up with the best plan for helping you without you having to do anything 'drastic'.

[musicmad123]

Are we talking about a specific self harm unit? because yeah that probably would be helpful, but just a regular mental health unit which are usually acute, are you sure you want to do that? In my experience support is rubbish, and you're stuck with a lot of very ill people, it can be quite stressful and they don't actually try to help you much for the long term.