ClaireG Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I really am at my wits end and am close to breaking point. My 15 year old son used to live with his Dad and has been living with me since Christmas. He suffers from behavior problems and is aggressive and violent. He is known to the police because of this.He is at a school for pupils who have been excluded from main stream. He has also being using drugs and alcohol. He is causing big problems in the house and for the neighbors and because of this we are having problems with the landlord and agent and may well be asked to leave. Last Monday, he took an ibuprofen overdose when he was having an argument with me. He was admitted to hospital and saw CAMHS. They had a chat with him and asked if he wanted any input which he refused. He was then in and out of hospital and the Drs all week as he was saying he had chronic back pain and was unable to pee properly. The peeing problem was proved to be a lie through bladder scans etc and we think the back pain is a lie to, but can't be 100% sure. He took a further overdose on Saturday night, this time he took paracetamol and sinus tablets that contained paracetamol, a decongestant and caffeine. I took him to A&E, he was admitted again and saw CAMHS again. They suggested he see a drugs and alcohol team and also a psychiatrist as they feel he may need drugs for the aggression etc. they again say they can only suggest he sees these people and that he can back out. How can i insist he gets help? He needs help and he needs it now. He is a danger to himself and everyone else. He admitted to CAHMS that when he gets angry he gets so mad he doesn't even know what he is doing. If alarm bells are going off in my head with every word he says why arn't they in anyone else's. We need urgent help as a family and arn't getting it. Ive tried ringing CAHMS today to be told the lady working on his case is away and no one else can help. I've tried social services twice, i firstly got told they were waiting for a referral from CAHMS and the second time i was told he was in a queue waiting to be allocated a social worker and that this could take upto 10 days. We are at crisis help and need help now, not in 10 -14 days time. The only suggestions i've been given are to remove all booze from house and to lock medications away. Its hard for me to lock meds away as due to my own health problems i need access to some of them at all times and so does anyone with me. He also told CAHMS he hates his half brother and i was told to try and make it so they could avoid each other. I'd like to know how when they live in the same house. His brother is 12 and has problems of his own. My husband is losing patience by the second and want's him out the house. Does anybody know who i need to contact to get urgent help both for him and the rest of us? My gut feelings are that he needs to be on a psych unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Direct.gov has mental health care pages. You've probably done all the stages but there might be something. Good luck, that sounds very difficult for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I'm so sorry to hear this; I'm not medically minded at all, but surely there is a mental health crisis team attached to your nearest psychiantric hospital? They would have Approved social workers who are able to make a referral to hospital/young persons unit if you think it necessary. Sorry that I can't be of any further help Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Have you tried speaking to the police? I would've thought as there is a real risk of serious injury to your son they could step in and get him the help he needs. He sounds as if he needs sectioning for his own safety and the police can help with this. (((hugs))) sending lots of love to you xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I only did a few weeks in psychi as a student nurse many yrs ago.....The mental health act.....sectioning for help from a mental health team/ hospital against the patients wishes. I think you need to talk to your GP and maybe a social worker to get him sectioned for a psych review and help. I know it doesn't seem nice but i do know many families do resort to this to get some help when the person refuses help. I can't think of any other way to help him when he is refusing , i know it is a drastic thing to do, and i know you love him. i am sure a mental health worker will give some input for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I was going to suggest crisis intervention too. You need to speak to his GP. You shouldnt have been left to deal with this alone. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Definitely trust your instinct Claire and try other sources if you're not getting answers. Charities such as SANE may make suggestions if you're not sure where to turn, as well as the excellent info on this topic. My heart goes out to you. I'm posting as we were given a 2 week appt by the mental health worker who was already seeing us, when I said my young son had made serious suicide attempts. Many years ago and now all fine, but the reply at our height of crisis was "Let me know if anything happens".............. After the event? not that I'd been given an out of hours number anyway.. If it feels OK, hug your son and tell him you love him, he may be frightened as well as angry... Tons of love and Omlet vibes, Sheila xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted October 10, 2011 Author Share Posted October 10, 2011 Thanks all Sectioning is what i was thinking. Trying to get an appointment to see the GP or just even talk to him is a nightmare but i will try that route. Will look at Directgov thanks Patsy. Griffin the police know what he is like and have been here on several occasions but don't want to know. Infact i normally get in more trouble for phoning them SANE is a good idea, thanks Shelia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I am afraid that Sectioning is the route I was thinking of too - it sounds terribly harsh, but part of the problem with mental illness is that the "patient" refuses treatment so gets worse and it tends to go round in circles. If your Son is a risk to his own health (having taken overdoses, I would think he certainly is) or to others (again, from what you say, this also seems to apply) AND refuses treatment/assessment etc on a voluntary basis, then I would think his doctors should be looking at Sectioning him. This is a dreadful thing for you to hear as his Mum, but honestly, truly, genuinely, if he is an inpatient in a specialist unit then they can spend time with him and get him on a treatment regime that WILL help him. Intervention now (on the sooner rather than later basis) will save lots of problems longer term. I really hope you can get the help for him that he needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I have no other suggestions Claire but am sending you (((hugs))) hope you get some answers/help soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Oh goodness, what despair you and he must be going through. I'm afraid I have no first hand knowledge of this but do have a cousin who has tried several times to kill himself. I was going to suggest sectioning, I can't believe that this has not been decided upon already as he's already overdosed twice. I hope you get some help urgently with your son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Gosh, what a tough time you are having. I was going to say sectioning too but would have no idea how to go about it, especially for a minor. OHs family have an awful lot of mental health issues and it's a rough road and terribly hard for all involved (his eldest half brother has just tried to commit suicide again, the second time in the past couple of months, he may lose his arm this time). Sorry I can't offer any useful advice, really just wanted to send you lots of hugs. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Sorry, I meant Sectioning too. That's for an Approved social worker or the police have powers too; sorry for any confusion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted October 10, 2011 Author Share Posted October 10, 2011 Thanks everyone He came home from school wound up and was being abusive again. He now admits he needs help and says he wants to go away from here. He phoned CAMHS himself and the crisis team are now aware of him, they are going to phone later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I was going to suggest the crisis team and I am delighted to read that he has reached that conclusion himself. This is such a distressing time for you, your son and your family. I hope you can find the strength and support you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Could he be taken into care for a spell? A colleague was in a similar situation with a teenage boy a couple of years ago and went through a torrid time. In the end he was taken into care due to the high risk of violence to her but mostly because of younger children in the family who social services wanted to protect. It was awful at the time. He was stopped from contacting her for a spell and they moved him away from the area but it was the shock he needed and over time it was the best thing that could happen. Now more stable and friends with his mum and family and supporting himself. He had ADHD which was a contributing factor. I hope you get the help you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted October 10, 2011 Author Share Posted October 10, 2011 Have had an evening of phoning different people and waiting for return calls. All pretty much fruitless. Out of hours GP was suggested by NHS DIrect but GP said he feels it's out of a GP's remit. Finally got to speak to the crisis team. A meeting was held about him today so they could try and decide which pysch to send him to, they are saying they can't put support into place until he has a formal diagnosis. They are going to speak to the pysch tomorrow and ask that he is seen urgently. Until then we have to try to control and contain him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I can't offer any advice - I wouldn't know where to start and I think the others haven given you plenty! Big (((hugs)))) to you all. Sounds like you need them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Surely a unit would be the best place to make a diagnosis; we can see the wood for the trees but sometimes the 'experts' can't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Hi Claire Sorry to hear that things are so difficult for you and your son. I don't have any more advice to add but just wanted to say that I am thinking of you both and hope that things improve soon. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share Posted October 11, 2011 Thanks everyone, just knowing that people care helps a lot Just wish the experts were a bit more caring and proactive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 We are here for you Claire, with luck your son will be seen quite soon .(((hugs))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share Posted October 11, 2011 We have some progress. The psych himself phoned my earlier and asked for a brief history etc. He want's to see my son but is very busy in clinic so will send a letter. In the mean time he is contacting the GP and prescribing an antipyschotic called Respirodone. His feelings are he may have bipolar and / or a conduct disorder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Thank goodness you have had some progress. I hope it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Well that sounds like a step in the right direction, I hope you don't have too long to wait for an appointment. Thinking of you all x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
