Home treatment team (UK)

[Ella.x]

I've been referred to them as I was feeling very suicidal when I saw my care coordinator this afternoon. What do they actually do? I've taken an overdose this morning (the maximum daily dose of paracetamol in one go) and refused to go to my GP to get checked out which is why I have been referred. Apparently they are going to phone me later, but what are they actually going to do? I've taken another OD (the same amount as this morning, so in total double the daily maximum limit of paracetamol), will they be able to force me to go to hospital? I really don't want to go. I know I need help, but I really don't want it at the moment, I just want to sleep. I don't get why everyone is so concerned. Anyway, my main question is, what will the home treatment team do? What are they allowed to do in the way of forcing me to get medical treatment? What can they do to help me?

[*Jen*]

I have had mixed experiences with the crisis team. They have been helpful at times but other times they have put me in hospital when I didn't want to. Also they broke my confidentiality so I am in the middle of a complaint about that. Normally they just come out and see you everyday but it is only a quick pop in.. They just ask you the usual questions like hows your mood, sleep, appetite and about thoughts to harm yourself. They can't force you to get help but if they think you are at risk they could get you assessed under the mental health act or call the police. I really think you should get checked out though Ella. You don't know what damage the paracetamol is doing to your insides. I was once told that even small amounts of paracetamol can cause damage. So you are best to get yourself checked. If you have any more questions then feel free to ask. Keep your chin up

[Ella.x]

Yeah, I'm pretty worried about being hospitalised under the mental health act. I had an appointment with my care coordinator today and told her to cancel my dbt and refused to book another appointment with her because nothing is really helping atm. I figure there are 2 outcomes of tonight, I either die from liver damage, or I get forced into some sort of treatment, because I really don't think I can look after myself right now. My self harm is worse, I've taken several "small" overdoses, I've stopped taking my antipderessants and blood pressure medication.
I kind of feel like I either want to die, or I want someone to blooody look after me because there is no way I can carry on the way I am,I've been signed off work due to anxiety. I'm not really sure what my options are :/ and I really don't want to keep seeing my care coordinator because I'm just becoming difficult and wasting her time.

[Lottie]

Jen is right, the safe recommended dose is there for a reason. It can cause a whole host of issues.

As for the crisis team, I think they're fantastic. I've not had a call out for myself but I've spent the a week with them. Where possible they will try to avoid an in-patient stay. However if they feel that you're at significant risk then they will admit you to hospital. They can put a section 2 mental health order on you if they feel that you are at risk to yourself/others. This is uncommon though. I only saw two during my week placement with them.

I urge you to try your hardest not to take any more paracetamol/any drugs. If need be then try talking to the Samaritans . Just keep yourself distracted until your crisis team arrive.

Stay safe and I hope the agreed care plan will get you safe and hopefully get you the support you require. xxx

[Ella.x]

How long does it normally take for them to contact patients after a referral? I'm still unsure if I want help or not. I only agreed to the referral because I felt bad for being so difficult with my care coordinator earlier today. Like, I was not being helpful at all and jsut being evasive and anooying.

[*Jen*]

It varies..Sometimes they can be quick to contact you but other times they take forever.

I feel the same Ella about my CPN. I don't want to see him anymore but the thing is the more you disengage from people the more likely you are to end up in hospital. You need to reach out to those people around you who want to help you because you are worth it. You will get through it. Things won't always be this bad and I would hate for you to cause any damage to yourself whilst you are feeling like this at the moment then regret it in the future. Hospital is only a last resort though.. They try to keep people out of hospital which is why they have the home treatment team. All you can do is be honest with them and tell them how you really feel. Maybe they will suggest hospital but then again they may not because it can make you feel worse. I hope you manage to get the help you need though.

[Ella.x]

thanks, you've both been really helpful. I was referred 4 hours ago, so I'm guessing I won't be hearing from them until tomorrow as it's out of office hours now and I guess they'll be dealing with actual crises now. I'm just really scared because I find it so difficult to organise my thoughts enough to actually speak to people about whats going on, so I normally end up answering every question with "i don't know" which is obviously really annoying for everyone involved. And everyone has been asking me lately what it is that I want, but I honestly haven't got a clue, I just want to either be better or be dead. Is it even worth seeing the home treatment team?

[*Jen*]

You can phone them though Ella and tell them that you are struggling so just wanted to talk to someone. They are meant to be available 24 hours a day. I know what you mean about trying to organise your thoughts. It is difficult to know what you want when you feel so low and can't see any hope for the future. It is really hard to know what will help and what you want. But perhaps you should try explaining that to them so then they can tell you what options are available. I can really relate to what you are saying because I feel the same at the moment. I don't see myself getting any better so wonder what the point is in reaching out for help. But in the end you have nothing to lose from reaching out for help.. You in fact could gain something. I am here if you want to talk anytime

[Ella.x]

They just rang me. I flat out told them that I want to die and that I'd taken more pills and all the bloke said was "if you feel sick, phone an ambulance" and they're going to ring me tomorrow. He also reassured me that I don't sound like a mad person - as if I'm actually worried about what I sound like in this state! They didn't listen to me at all.

[Palmolive]

Hi there.

I've seen my crisis team and I've had good and bad experiences with them. I guess it depends on the person you get to talk with because everyone has different approaches. It was the crisis team who advised my psych to hospitalize me and that is what happened. They do have that power and can make that happen.

I know it's hard but people can only do so much and I know I have said this to you before, but right now it seems like you're not helping yourself. You're taking overdoses and self harming, you're refusing help by saying you don't want to go to the DBT group and you refuse another appointment with your CPN. You've also stopped taking your medication and doing all of this is not going to help and you seem to me making things worse for yourself. And I know it can be hard to keep doing good and positive things when you feel so low but ultimately you are the one in control of your actions and you need to make some effort in order to get better. People can only help you so much, most of the work has to come from you.

I know it's hard for you right now but you can get through this. Try and keep yourself safe and seek medical attention if you need it.

Jessie

[Ella.x]

My pharmacist just rang me to ask why I'm not picking up the prescriptions that my GP is sending over for me. He's going to phone my doctor. I get the distinct feeling that shit is about to hit the fan. This is not what I wanted. I don't want all this attention. I want them all to leave me alone because they're not helping. I want help, but I don't want help. This is so confusing. I have a feeling they're going to try and make me go to hospital, because I've taken another strip of paracetamol (currently at 3X the maximum daily dose in 24 hours). I don't know what to do.

Nevermind. The crisis team have just phoned an ambulance. God knows when they'll let me out of hospital seeing as I've done this so many times recently.