Help for those suffering depression??

[Mischief]

Something that has been playing on my mind lately......

If you or someone you loved was depressed to a point where you/they were a risk to themselves (not others, just personally) would you think a fitting place would be a psych ward at a hospital with those who are experiencing more dangerous mental disorders?

For example this place is somewhere with white walls, orderlies, routine, medication (wanted or not and often sedatives), you might find people howling, scuffles in the hall (somewhere scarey in other words), bed time curfews, someone checking you every hour (possibly even waking you from your sleep), having to convince doctors who don't know you that you are sane before you can leave.

A place where a mother with PND would feel unable to take her baby because it's not an appropriate place for a child.

I find it sad that you are only entitled to stay in home style clinics if you have private health, and even then the spots are limited. And that often the only options available to those with depression is a psych ward in a hospital.

Just to be clear, I'm talking about those who are depressed. Maybe suffering anxiety. Those who are often un-noticed, they are not a risk to society, they are not scaring others, they are simply depressed, feeling hopeless, the kind who are a danger only to themselves because they see no other way out but to end their life.

For example, those people could be:
Your pregnant friend.
The new mum at the end of your street.
The CEO where you work.
Your teacher.
An elderly couple next door.
Or closer to home.....Your husband, your wife, your brother, sister, daughter, son, father, mother, or any other of your family or friends.

Do you feel that a place as described above is a place that would promote healing for them?

Personally, as someone who has and at times still does have depression THAT bad, I have considered admitting myself to the psych ward at times, but fear of being treated like a criminal more than a patient needing help to get over an illness has put more fear in my heart than the actual thought of ending my life.

Is it correct to say that many people with depression dont seek help, because we are grouped in with those who are dangerous to others as having a mental disorder?

How would you feel about being grouped with someone who is insane and murdered someone because the voices told him/her it was the right thing to do, when you were depressed because you had been raped, lost a child, or had PND... because of work stresses, the financial strain on your family, the fact that your life is stuck in a rut and you cant get out?

Hmmm... Sorry! There is allot of thoughts up there.. I occasionally have them you see... LMAO :)

Im just interested to see what others think, and also, if you agree that THAT is NOT a fitting place for someone to get help.... What do you think WOULD be an appropriate place?

[c38]

Whilst it may seem a scary place, I think if a relative or friend of mine was that depressed that they were a risk to themselves and I or their immediate loved ones didn't feel they had the means to keep them safe, then yes I would have them admitted to a general psych ward.

People who are criminally insane, i.e who have murdered or been charged with harming others are not kept in general psych wards. They are kept in separate locked down prison units. Patients who are mentally unwell and considered to be of harm to others are likewise confined to a locked unit, whereby they are kept away from others or closely supervised, and yes most likely drugged if they are in contact with others.

If someone is so depressed that they are contemplating suicide then they NEED and deserve treatment. Part of that treatment is that they are kept safe (ie safe from harming themselves) until meducation helps "normalise" the chemical imbalance in their brain that is causing these feelings. Part of that treatment involves the reality that they will be observed closely. This may mean that they are kept in isolation under canstant direct or video supervision, or that they are check upon frequently..eg every 15 minutes or every hour. Unfortunately sometimes the patient may wake during these checks. But they are there beacuse they are sick and need the care.

Other patients in the same unit. Whilst they may have other conditions. Are sick also. They wouldnt be in the same environment if they were considered dangerous. Though I'm realistic enough to realise that incidents do happen. But believe me they happen on other hospital wards too.

Once a person with severe depression is over the acute phase and no longer feeling at risk of harming themself then I think they are probably better off at home.

In an ideal world Of course I think things should be improved. We should have large public facilities whereby there are more staff and better separation of units/conditions etc. As well as much higher staff ratios and more highly trained staff. Also more child friendly facitilties whereby patients with any mental illness can have more family contact whilst feeling that their children are not being exposed to the sights and sounds of a psych ward.
We also desparately need more publically available Mother/Baby/Child units. Whereby women can have their young children and partners with them. Here in Tas there are only 2 such beds and they are always full, though I know the MOhter Baby unit will take more if they have space but they are always full.


Sorry this is very long winded and I need to wind up as the toddler is getting restless. I'm not a psych nurse but I have done some prac in a psych ward (many many years ago) and also have had some involvement with some of the patients I now look after. So obvioualy I can only comment given my experiences and knowlege of one tiny system and not speak for other states.

In short. No I dont think the public system is ideal by a long shot. But if my loved one was in danger of injuring themself then they need to be cared for. Some of that care may involve things that are intrusive or uncomfortable like being supervised, having to take medications, sharing a room with someone. But that is no different to needing to be treated for any medical or surgical condition. Being in hospital is intrusive. But as I said, as soon as they were feeing safe then I thnk they are far better of recurpriating at home.
SOrry cant spell or type but todder has lost plot. This is not meant to offend anyone. I dont think Ive explained things very well sorry

[chrysalis]

c38, I think you expressed it well and I agree with what you've explained

mischief, you may have some ideas of a psych ward that have come from the media and not from reality? I'm not criticising you, but I'm not sure if your idea of a public psych ward is totally realistic. Eg. the howling, scuffles, orderlies and so on. You're not treated like a criminal. Depression is also very different from conditions like psychosis etc.

Someone with PND can still see the child, this is usually in a private room away from the general ward. Children are not allowed in psych wards, but patients with kids are allowed to see them if the dr/staff consider the patient is well enough for it.

If someone is at risk of harm then they should definately get treatment. Psych wards can seem scary but they are part of a hospital, like other wards in a hospital (which can also seem scary). Fear of the ward itself shouldn't prevent you from seeking treatment. If you go in voluntarily, you can always discharge yourself if you don't like the place or think it's not therapeutic for you.

I hope you don't let it stop you from seeking treatment for depression, see a dr and if he thinks the best place is a hospital then maybe trust his judgement and don't feel you will be locked up like a criminal :hugs:

[RoarsomeMum]

I get where you are coming from.. the Public health system is frighteningly underfunded and overwhelmed at best, down right dangerous at worst. The stays in those places are my biggest block too..

It's so demoralizing. I can't sleep there unmedicated, am petrified that some-one will come in and kill me or rape me, I can not eat, incase they are using the hospital as a way to "round us up" nazi style and poision our food.. (Bloody heck, I am not sounding very sane! but it's the truth, I am petrified of their real motives.) I can't trust the system. It has failed me again and again and again. So yes, I think you are correct to say it is a reason for some of us not to seek appropriate help.

I think they are slowly getting better..(like us) but it's a huge undertaking.. I am hoping to see MAJOR shifts by the time Roar is a teen.

I feel sorriest for Chris.. who has to be the one, most often, to make the heartbreaking decision to call for help.. He KNOWS how scared I am but knows how bad it can get too.. I am so grateful for the times he "had me committed" I don't even know how you can repay someone for something like that. There is nowhere else to be medically stabelised in our little town. If their were other choices, he would have picked them. We both see it as the "lesser evil" option.. and not somewhere for me to "get better" but to "get stable" so I can come home and have a chance of being better.

Would LOVE home visiting Dr's and Nurses and therapists frankly!!!!!!!

[SimplyMum]

I think it depends on so many things. The mind is not a calculated organ and so how can you say someone is only in danger of hurting themself? They might snap and suddenly see their children as the source of their pain- if it got that bad that I feared for their life, than I, in turn would fear for the children (assuming there is children involved), and trauma could occur mentally and emotionally, not only physically. So, yes- as a last resort- I would consider a physc ward. Before that though, I would consider family and that would be after I have considered and ruled out a mental health facility (more than likely because of cost).