Voluntary Sectioning

[parker58]

Hi all, I'm a new poster and wondered what the procedure is with regard to voluntary sectioning.

For example,
do you go to your GP or hospital?
are you assessed?
do you get a sick note?
how long do you stay?
what happens while you're there? (counselling, etc)
can you discharge yourself?
what other people are there?
do all hospitals have the facility/ward?

The reason I'm asking is because a friend of mine is at the end of their tether and feels this is the only remaining option. They have been on various anti-anxiety/bipolar/anti-depressant/SAD medication (possibly others) for over 5 years, but have never felt improvements in their mental state. They are suicidal.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[BORTU]

Hello,

Just go to your GP and let him know how you feel. You can always post here and be sure of a non- critical reply. WE are all fellow sufferers. Welcome.

[schizolanza]

If your friend is suicidal then go to your local accident and emergency.That's what I did when I was suicidal.I was sectioned.

[parker58]

Thanks for replies. Their GP had given up on them, so they went to A&E.

What I'm concerned about is what happens now?

[schizolanza]

Sorry I was watching the football.I've only just seen your post.
I can't tell you what will happen,but I can tell you what happened to me.
Initially I was seen by Doctor after waiting with my brother to be seen.She asked me questions and became concerned.She told me so.
Then I was seen by a psychiatrist who spoke to me and my brother.She asked me lots of questions.She would come back and speak to me several times over the course of the afternoon.I had been allocated a bed which i sat on for the afternoon.
By the evening I was transported by ambulance to another hospital which had psychiatric wards.I was given a bed.
The next day I was seen by a psychiatrist and a social worker.They explained that they were sectioning me under the mental health act.I stayed on that ward for about 6 weeks.I was medicated against my will.
I've just given you some of the basic facts.It was a very traumatic time for me to say the least but I've not gone into any of that because I dont think it is helpful to your situation.

[schizolanza]

How's your friend doing now Parker?

[unlucky]

I was told that if I didn't go into hospital voluntarily then I would be sectioned. I was kept in for two weeks then was allowed weekend leave. I'm not sure what would have happened if I had tried to discharge myself in that time but I was allowed to discharge myself after a month. I didn't have such a bad experience as Olanza, in fact I would say that going to hospital saved my life but I know others have extreme horror stories. I think it depends what hospital you are in.

[Taff]

hi there
Not sure where you are xx
If you are in the uk here is our help link if you click onto it.
Mental Health Forum - Getting Help
Have you got someone you can get in touch with, really sorry that you are so bad xx
Talk here if it helps
Taff xx

[Topcat]

I think (?) there was a post before Taffy's. Gone now though and can't see that it was somewhere else.
Something about feeling violent(?) and voices.
X

[Taff]

Thanks TC
I was answering someone who just posted on an old thread while the mods helped him
xx