Monday 29 September 2014

Experts by Experience

The Experts by Experience group was invited to comment and share their lived experiences on two summaries (1. Post natal psychosis and 2. Sedatives for aggression or agitation).

See what they said below.

Further research is needed on sedatives

Further research on sedatives would be useful and on the side effects. Disagreeable side effects can mean that patients stop their medication, leading to the need for emergency measures.

An expert by experience shares her story about sedatives and use of restraint.

RESTRAINTS USE IN MENTAL HEALTH.

I can only answer this from a carers point of view. I understand that in some cases when a person is so distressed that they are on the verge of harming themselves or someone else, they need to be stopped. At the moment restraint as a last resort may need to be used. But some research should be happening to find a better way. Restraining someone is barbaric.

When people are already badly distressed and in fear, this method just adds to it. It should only be used as a last resort, and not just because someone has come into hospital under section three of the mental health act in an agitated and distressed state.

My son was never a threat to other people, only to himself, he was always respectful to the police and doctors even when in the midst of psychosis, and terrified of everyone. Yet when taken in hospital by the police he was restrained and given an injection, and if they had taken time to talk to him I know he would have complied.

When he really needed help because he was a threat to himself, and already tried by cutting his own throat and told the doctor "he was really scared and didn't want to die", they took no notice. I asked if they could give him something to calm the voices and help him get some sleep, they said not until bed time and they did nothing.

After I left him he walked out and found a building where he jumped to his death. They didn't restrain him, in fact they didn't do anything, not even keep him safe.

Restraining someone is not the answer,

There has to be a better way, where are the crisis action plans? Where are the Recovery Centres? A place both carers and service users can learn about the best way to approach and deal with a crisis before it escalates.

Worries about post natal psychosis

With post natal psychosis there is the problem that a mother may well hide the fact that she is unwell, because of fears that the baby may be taken away and she herself locked up.

An expert by experience shares their view on post natal psychosis

I'm afraid (or should that be glad!) that I have no personal experience of post natal psychosis but I am shocked that the review couldn't find any research into the treatments available to mothers and their families in need of intervention, despite recent high profile cases.

As with so many areas of treatment for mental illness, outcomes are determined by the luck of the draw .... by the chance of being spotted by the right person at the right time. Training midwives and GPs to become that right person must surely be a good start. Giving them the time and knowledge to provide appropriate interventions (drugs, family support and talking therapies) is the obvious follow-up.

Women's mental health after giving birth: an expert by experience shares her story.

About a month after my first child was born I had post natal depression. Didn't know anything about it or reconsider what was happening. I just found it difficult to bond with my daughter, I was able to care for her needs, but I was sad and troubled, very tearful, and had difficulty in cuddling and nursing her, which added to my misery. I felt ill physically as well as mentally.

I was lucky to have had a good health visitor, who saw I was different from the first couple of times she had visited and took me to my GP where I found support through the coming months.

When my second child was born I was very aware of the symptoms and sought help as soon as I recognised the signs so did not suffer so badly, the second time. There are such high expectations on a pregnant woman from family friends and medical staff, it is a shock after the birth when all this expected wonderment and fulfilment is not there, then to feel depressed as well is hard enough.

Psychosis may be rare and only affect a few, but during the pregnancy it's not mentioned, post natal depression can be dismissed if you ask about it, yet forwarded would be better, for the woman and their partners.

There should be more research, has there ever been any?

Friday 26 September 2014

Experts by Experience

The experts by experience group has been asked to comment on two summaries.

The group is comprised of 20 people (service users and carers).

They have been asked to add their lived experience to summaries on:(1) postnatal psychosis; and (2) sedatives for aggression and agitation.

These will be posted in the near future.