respite care?

EyelinerAndCigarettes · 30-12-2014, 08:00 PM

Basically things are going downhill & I'm feeling really unwell, mentally & physically.

I'm feeling like I would benefit from some respite care at my local MH unit (Maybe like a week or 2), but I'm unsure as to whether I can just ask for it?
I'm scared to ask incase they either say no, or say yes & then I end up being forced to stay longer than I feel necessary...

I was wondering what others experiences were?

Thanks <3

sherlock holmes · 30-12-2014, 08:38 PM

Do you have a CPN or OT that you feel you can talk to, who knows your situation well? If so I think you could talk to them about it and decide what's best for you. I think it would be better all round for you to remain in control of an admission, and for how long it'll be. Then you can get some respite and not be worried about anything!

Epicene · 31-12-2014, 11:27 PM

I have this, but it took quite a lot of planning and conditions around it to make sure it is used appropriately as respite admission rather than crisis or long-term. For example, it can only be X days every X months and if I self-harm the admission ends the following day etc. So it might well be a possibility, but you may have to be a little patient for your team to arrange it all and be well enough to plan with them.

If they say no, it might be worth thinking what else could help (from your team but also friends and family). Also be quite clear about what you would want from an admission and how you would know if it had been successful - there could be alternatives that meet the same end.

Whatever happens I hope you feel better soon and you're welcome to pm me with any questions.

justapuppetonastring · 01-01-2015, 06:47 PM

I was in a 'Crisis house' for respite. Is your MH unit similar to that? Not quite a hospital but still some support.

EyelinerAndCigarettes · 01-01-2015, 08:36 PM

Thanks guys, I'm seeing my CPN next Friday so I'm thinking I'll talk to her about it, We do have a crisis house where you can go for up to week during the day but thats only for when you're in crisis & I'm not sure if I'm in crisis, I just need a break from everything.