Being sectioned? Are there two types?

[earthbound_misfit]

heya, was just wondering, about being sectioned?
I have been before, however I was simply taken to A&E by the police, some of the times they stayed with me to make sure I didnt leave, then was seen by a psych (always after several hours by which time Id be falling asleep, having been so emotionally drained), then sent away with no help. And often made to feel like a waste of time.
However other people when they are sectioned seem to actually be forced to stay in hospital.
Are there two types of section? I know I was definitely sectioned cos the police were nice and reckoned it was the only way i'd get the help I need... and when I didnt want to go to the hospital, knowing they'd ignore me, and when I tried to leave, the hospital staff said I had to stay til i'd been seen or they'd call the police.
I dont understand why they didnt help, surely being sectioned means id have to stay in and get treatment?
Its really going around in my head cos now I usually get depressed about feeling worthless and stuff cos of how they treated me... all the times I was told I was a waste of time... the actual original reason I sought treatment is long lost/forgotten.
Sorry.

[whirlpools]

There are many different types of section; some more well-known than others. I'll mention a few, because to be honest I don't know many more than this, but hopefully it'll clear some stuff up.

The type of section you were put on is likely to have been a section 136. This is a section specially for the police to use if they think someone is mentally ill and dangerous to themselves or others in a public place, and allows that person to be taken to a "safe place" (usually an A&E department/hospital or police station to await being assessed by a psychiatrist). The police have the power to hold the person for up to 72 hours to wait for the psychiatrist to do the assessment. Once the doctor arrives the responsibility for the patient's care is then transferred to them, and they will decide whether the person needs to be sectioned as an inpatient in hospital, admitted voluntarily, other support, or unfortunately, sometimes, no support.

A section 2 is different. It's an "assessment section" and is a section that a patient is put onto when they have been assessed by (usually) two psychiatrists/doctors and a social worker and are deemed to have a mental disorder that needs further assessment in hospital. This section would be used if the patient does not agree to go voluntarily. It lasts 28 days which the patient would spend being assessed on a psychiatric unit.

A section 3 is the other section that comes up sometimes on RYL. It is considered a "treatment section". A patient is usually put on it after their section 2 has expired if the doctors feel it's necessary for the patient to stay as an inpatient longer for treatment and the patient refuses to stay voluntarily. It lasts up to 6 months and the rights of the patient are slightly different to the rights of a patient on a section 2. It can also be repeated after the 6 months is up, or can be lifted in less than 6 months if this is possible. Sometimes I think it's possible for doctors to bypass the section 2 and put the patient straight on section 3.

There are also other, short-lasting sections sometimes referred to as "nurses' holding powers" in which a nurse can detain a patient for a short length of time in a hospital awaiting the arrival of a psychiatrist or other mental health professional to assess the patient. This might happen on a psychiatric ward if a patient is voluntary but tries to discharge themselves and there is sufficient concern from the nursing staff.

Hope this clears things up a little :S

[Lauraxx]

..........

[Putain]

Whirlpools - good summary there. From memory of what a mental health nurse friend said years ago, the sections under which nurses alone can hold you last 6 hours.

I was detained under section 136 once. Didn't get as far as the hospital, but a doctor of some sort came and saw me in my cell. Police gave me a lift home afterwards. Have to say they were nice about it, even those who were clearly out of their depth and their comfort zone dealing with even minor mental health problems.

[GrimmFaerieTale]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lauraxx

I was threatened with being sectioned if I didn't go into hospital 'voluntarily', so I went 'voluntarily' but without any choice. I don't think it's a very effective way to give people treatment, although I can see why they do it.

I'm sorry in your experience you were made to feel like you were a waste of time. I really doubt that you're a waste of time and it just sounds like the staff were very bad there.

It's called an informal section, which basically means that you go in without being forced but if you try and leave they'll use another section in order to keep you there. I *think* it's designed to allow people a sense of choice, but I may be wrong about that