dearest Gerry
you know it so well
and are a gem
that something special
who is instrumental in many
of us
"it" has that hold on me
in a terrible way
i deal with "it"
one day a time
there is tomorrow
maybe
love
me

it is what it is
what happened to
ME

it is one thing trying to get help for my
daughter and her attempts
it has been three weeks
going to the program with her father
four times a week and still hasn't seen
the shrink yet
this was to happen when we went in
voluntarily sat for 6 hours and not be seen
by a shrink
and now three weeks into it
i still yet to get a return phone call
from the director after numerous phone calls
and leaving messages
i don't get it
why so many screw ups
before something terrible happens
i have my own shrink
who is dealing with my own problems
with going Home
and then i'm reminded about my little Eva
and i tell him
doc it has nothing to do with my children
i am just extremely depressed over WHAT!
i WANT to be HAPPY
not any of what i am feeling
every single day
as i have made my choice
however sad i am
these are not unreasonable
question
such as how can there be a plan
when she was overlooked having to be seen
by a psychiatrist
this confirmed by her counselor
so
what the heck
3 weeks as far as i am concerned
was a waste
after all
this much i know
she should have been seen
and now they are scrambling
me

How frustrating!

That is way too long under the circumstances.

Perhaps the Counsellor can make some waves and get her seen by the Psychiatrist.

Where I live there is a huge difference in the methods of treatment. Psychiatrists, because they are doctors can prescribe medications as well as use talk therapy. Psychologists/Counsellors tend to do more hands on work in teaching strategies to their patients so that they can maybe change certain thought patterns

I'm not sure if it's the same where you are. I personally would prefer the methods used by Psychologists to help change problematic thought patterns that perhaps have led a person, or kept a person, in to a dark place that they feel they can not escape and make them want to stop it all. In my country, a Psychologist can refer a patient to a General Practitioner if they feel medications are needed.

Anyway, that may be totally different where your daughter is being treated. You would think that it being a hospital that there would be all these counsellors and doctors on hand day in day out. Is she being prescibed medications already? Who is making sure that the medications are being helpful or that she needs dose adjustment or whatever?

Thinking of you all there. What a terrible time you're having.
Sorry about my rambling, but I think it's just terrible how people are treated because of their mental health problems and differences. It's always been like this and it's not right.

oh dear Lara
i concur whole heartily in your suggestions
when i found that my daughter was cutting herself
and took immediate action
contacted her father eldest sister she is comfortable with
she is 33
it was from the beginning of entering the hospital
and not seen by anyone other then the ER doc that did zero
only to be sent to the program upon leaving the hospital
and in the three weeks not seen by either doctors to asses where to begin
she is not on ANY MEDS
and her urine is clean
it drives me nuts
the medical institute is just become a joke
when it comes to mental HELP!
i have experienced more than my share of
doctors who screwed up on many levels
i DO NOT TRUST ANYONE
and will always be on guard
there was a time when my epileptic child
was given incorrect meds for a week and every time
they gave it to her she told them she has never taken
it ever
the possible side affect
DEATH
so i DO NOT TRUST
I SO FEEL LIKE I AM GOING TO EXPLODE
how much more can one mind take in before snapping
that's how i feel
your care is felt
thank you
do not ever feel you are taking up time by what you
call "rambling"
i'll be more than grateful for the concern
MENTAL HEALTH
IS A DISEASE
shame on anyone who treats a mentally ill person as if they were invisible or better yet aren't alive
oh Lara
thank you so so much
pray all is well with you
and that you will be with those you love on this Thanksgiving
day with lots of belly laughs
oh how i miss laughing
be well
me

Do you mean you feel powerless?

I've had some things going on with where I live and have been absent from the forums here quite a bit lately so haven't been able to keep up.

Is your daughter living with her father's eldest sister now after coming out of the hospital or living with her father or where is she living?

It sounds as if you're in a position where you are feeling powerless to help. Are you able to communicate your terrible feelings of fear and concern to those people where she is staying? Someone needs to step up to the plate and get something sorted. If I was there, I'd go sort it out if I could.

Who do you trust to get the practical issues sorted for your daughter?

Maybe because you're feeling so overwhelmed you are unable to see the trees for the forest. Sometimes if we simplify things... like write a list of people there who your daughter trusts or you trust or both of you trust... then you can talk with them and see if they can get this issue with the doctor sorted.

I don't know how often your daughter is seeing the counsellor but the counsellor is the one who sounds as if they have the most contact of all the medical people. I would either call them myself or get someone who is living with your daughter to call them.

I know there are patient confidentiality issues but under the circumstances, it seems imperative that a voice is heard. Obviously that voice is not your daughter? Your daughter is not motivated to feel better? If she is not, then she's too ill and needs someone else to step up to the plate.

my child lives with me
the sister i am referring to is my eldest daughter
i have four children
i was married once and my three eldest children from
that marriage
33,31 and 30 and my 16 year old
it is my eldest my 16 year old feels most comfortable
with
and then my granddaughter whom i have
custody
i hope this helps
from a caring person
me

Thankyou!

I understand better now. I became confused with mention of father and eldest sister. It was just the way I read the line.

In knowing care is so desperately needed, but the system fails to step up.

Here where Eva and I live anti-psychotics must be psychiatrist prescribed. They have a hold on that care. Even so, there are times when they screw up royally as our youngest son knows far too well....his psychiatrist Over Prescribed meds and he SO acted out while on them it appears his career is in doubt!! On the other hand, our eldest is cared for well by a psychiatrist- psychologist team and he has begun to very nicely emerge from hearing voices and ultra paranoia.

Mental health care can be such a c rap shoot. So Eva...I very much hear your anguish and the tragedy which holds your family captive.

And

I
Pray

M56