Triggering (SI/OD) - How bad is "bad enough" to be admitted into IP?
Lately I've been seriously struggling to stay safe. When I SI I let it bleed for a long time, and even though the injuries themselves aren't bad, there is a lot of blood loss. I am struggling to not OD again. I really don't think that I am safe at all. My coach knows all of this and I think she agrees. I'm having problems eating enough, but I'm getting some food.
What I'm wondering is if anyone knows what the basic requirements are to be admitted. I'm scared to go and ask to be admitted and then have them say it's not bad enough because I know it'll send me into a horrible downward spiral.
I know most of you are in the UK and I'm in Canada and it's probably different from hospital to hospital, but I need some guidelines.
Thank you so much for any help you could give me
It's the children the world almost breaks that grow up to save it.
-Frank Warren
Generally, if you are unsafe in whatever way is probably enough to get you admitted. Obviously it depends on your individual case, and the hospital, but if you are struggling not to overdose I can't imagine them turning you away.
If you ask them, and they say no, and you really disagree and feel you are about to do something then argue. On one ocassion I was suicidal, and they said they thought I would be okay that night to go home and I said that I really wouldn't and was really unsafe and they admitted me.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
i think its all about how safe you are. and i agree with arguing with their desicion if you feel its wrong. i'm sure there are a few times i should have been admited, but didnt ask for the help that would put me there, or my ex tried to deal with me himself, involved locking me in a room with nothing in it. nice!
hope you get what you need. xxx
It can depend on how beneficial your care team thinks it would be to be admitted. Although I am often a serious risk to myself, keeping me in work etc is a priority to keep stability in my life and therefore only been admitted, very briefly and under section. There are other options other than hospital, eg better and more outpatient support including crisis team support and home visits over here. Are there similar resources in Canada?
Perhaps, instead of going to ask to be admitted, you could just be honest and open with your drs and therapists and they will be able to decide what it is you need to get yourself through this. They do have plenty of experience and although sometimes there are bad ones, mostly their experience is best and they can suggest ways to support you further.
I found that my stay in hospital was literally keeping me away from my usual methods of harm and my planned method of suicide until I had calmed down a little. I would never have had any therapeutic benefits from it. There are other hospitals/units where the emphasis is on treatment. Maybe you could ask whether there are therapeutic communities or day hospitals you could attend which could be more constructive.
Take care hun and I am sorry to hear it is so difficult for you right now, I really am.
*hugs you to keep you safe*
"Everything is possible through Christ, who gives me strength". Phillipians 4:13
I think a general rule for the UK is plans and the means to commit suicide, or major self harm or something like that. But in the US they seem to admit people far more willingly.. so that doesn't really help you.. sorry x
Let the Force be with you
I'm not short, I'm space efficient
I know in the UK, IP is generally a last resort option as they like to keep people in the community as much as possible. I don't think it's completely a case of being bad enough, they will do what they think will work best to help you. I was going to A&E for stitches everyday and was never admitted because they didn't think it would help me.
Take care
xx
Hey i think its really brave that your thinking about what would help you best right now and realise that you need help and things do sound pretty bad for you.
i can understand why you are worried and scared about asking cos your worried about the response and what that may in turn do to you/make you feel.
im a bit like that with asking for help too.
But your life and health does have to come first and if you are really really feeling at risk you need to speak out.
im also in the UK again unfortunately so cant advise much on Canada.
But from my personal experience i can say that ive had four previous psychiatric admissions though these were well over three or four years ago now.
These were never for more than a week and while small parts of them were helpful i also had some experiences which really were not!
i have been in and out of the system for years and currently still receive outpatient services [when the CMHT remember me!] but though at times previously i used to beg to be admitted i wouldnt do that anymore.
All of my admissions were voluntary though one i was told they would probably have to section me if i didnt agree to go cos they couldnt let me go how i was.
i have also had other situations/times where i have been threatened with sectioning/being detained but luckily none of these came to anything though were scary to go through.
i have also had [also at least a couple of years or so ago] admissions to various general hospitals and a poisions unit for taking overdoses.
These admissions lasted between being a couple of hours or overnight to being two weeks long.Spending a week and a half in a specialist poisons unit and then another half a week on a general ward when i was transferred between the two was my longest general hosp admission but i had taken a lot then.
The main reasons for me being admitted to a psych ward were generally cos i either had significantly overdosed or was planning to.And on one occasion had also written something like a suicide note.
Although there was also one time where i couldnt deal with a potentially very difficult and dangerous situation i had got myself into regarding another person and it was agreed between us that i would be admitted on this occasion so the authorities could hold a meeting to work out what to do as they felt they had a duty of care to me as a vulnerable adult [they say they classed me as this cos of my mental health problems and also i have another disability] to stop the situation [even if i was unsure what i felt i needed/could do about it at this time] and help me out of the situation i had just managed to get myself into.
Anyway im waffling a bit here and not doing very good at explaining so i am sorry.
Basically i think you really need to speak out if you are feeling really at risk.
And are probably likely to get better/more treatment and support that way.
It is important and i think people would be glad you were honest with them and spoke to them certainly before doing anything.
i dont think there are really rules about what is bad enough.
It seems to depend on your individual circumstances but also to be honest very much on those you work with and their views on your situation and the whole hospital/support thing too.
You really need to talk to those around you.
im sorry that this post has been long and probably not helped much but please keep posting and letting us know how you are if you feel upto it and if it helps you to do so.
Also feel free to PM me anytime.
Also please remember that if they do say no to hospital and you feel strongly about it you can still keep putting forward your case and arguing for it if it is what you feel you really need.And secondly also remember that even if they dont offer you hospital admission there may well be other [and perhaps better] things they could offer you which will help you more or still at least be of some extra support to you if they were put in place so you would still have gained from being honest and open with them.
i know its hard but i hope that you feel able to give talking to them a bit more a go.
Take care and good luck!
Be brave.
i do not always manage to be around but i wish you all the very best - love and luck to you all!
this pic is so i can always remember jen who was my l'il sock monkey friend who has left ryl and i miss her!!! 
