Advance statement - what should I be thinking about
 

I am currently in hospital and my nusre would like me to do an advance statement. A nurse asked me to think about what I want in it.

I know what meds I would like and not like and I know how I feel about ect.

What other things should I be thinking of?



Thanks

Whether you would want ECT or not?

Who you want in charge of your care if anything happens and you cant reply. Like family?

x

In addition I would think about medication. If you have had a bad reaction to an certain medication I would write that in under no circumstances should you be given that medication. I would think about types of medication - for example if you really dislike syrups or cant stomach medications which dissolve in liquid then I would write that too.

That way if you are ever prescribed a medication in an form you cannot take and you refuse to take it, then hopefully they should read it on your advance statement that you genuinely cannot take it because it's written in advance. Otherwise they will see you as being awkward and possibly section you (if you arent already sectioned) if it's not written down in black and white.

For example I had a really unbelievably bad reaction to Risperidone and I could not stomach mirtazapine (which dissolves in liquid - each dose made me wanna vomit) so for me I would write "due to an bad reaction in the past, under no circumstances should Risperidone - either as a tablet or a depot - ever be prescribed to me. I would also not want a form of tablet that dissolves in liquid but ordinary (non dissolvable) tablets are fine for me to take and should be prescribed routinely". I put routinely because it shows that I am thinking about medication and choices, and not saying that I do not want to take any form of medication at all.

I see you have already thought about meds but you didnt say what circumstance, so hopefully I have clarified a few pointers.

Thanks for this. I think I have a better idea now. X

If you have any questions about ECT feel free to PM me- i'm a student mental health nurse and know a lot about it through my training. I have observed and helped recover patients on quite a few occassions so should be able to help if you want to ask anything. Hope you're feeling ok. x

I would also look at hospital so what would you like to happen if hospital should become necessary again even if you don't want to think that you will ever end up there again, would you like them to contact people for you, is there anything that would need to be sorted around your house ie pets

What about issues surrounding discharge?

What would you like to happen when your in the community?

The crisis team?