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zuszsa
23-09-2006, 11:20
I have a big problem. I have been contacted by someone I knew years ago who asked to see me. She is a crack user, in an abusive relationship and has a baby. When I visited it was obvious that she is suffering serious mental health problems. She is convinced there are camera's in her house and that 'people' are out to get her. The TV gives her orders etc etc. She has agreed to go with me to see a doctor - she believes she has post natal depression (and it could be that she has extreme PND). However she will not agree to go to he own doctor, or mine ,as she thinks there are spies all around Brixton (and her abusive partner might see us). She also will not go to a hospital.

I don't know what to do. Where can I take her?

I can't ignore this as I am concerned for her and, even more, the baby. I am morally (and because of my job, legally) obliged to take some action. I am also aware that she is asking for my help - she wouldn't have contacted me otherwise. I am reluctant to call in social services - I would rather try the health service route. Is there a clinic that will see her on a self referall basis, will take the time to listen and then take the right action (which, in my opinion, is probably an acute mother and baby unit).

HELP
editor
23-09-2006, 11:27
I am reluctant to call in social services - I would rather try the health service route.I understand your reluctance, but it really sounds like she needs proper help here, and fast.
Mrs Magpie
23-09-2006, 11:29
There's a 24 hour walk-in clinic at the Maudsley...is the top of Denmark Hill too close to Brixton?
Mrs Magpie
23-09-2006, 11:34
Apparently it's going to be axed in October :(
I've taken people in extreme distress with psychotic episodes there on three different occasions...it's bloody marvellous.
zuszsa
23-09-2006, 13:15
The 24 hr walk in thing sounds perfect - if I can persaude her that they deal with PND - which is what she thinks she has. She doesn't recognise that the behaviour as possibly psychotic, she thinks that the people being after her is all real, but that she has mild depression. Cheers Mrs M.
RushcroftRoader
23-09-2006, 13:31
I am obviously not an expert, but given what you have said it looks like your friend is looking to you to make some tough decisions on her behalf. She needs to be given an escape route. Maybe that has to involve social services being called in.
Mrs Magpie
23-09-2006, 13:45
The 24 hr walk in thing sounds perfect - if I can persaude her that they deal with PND - which is what she thinks she has. She doesn't recognise that the behaviour as possibly psychotic, she thinks that the people being after her is all real, but that she has mild depression. Cheers Mrs M.Well, post-natal psychosis is not that rare and EASILY TREATED...just call it post-natal depression for now......


found a link, albeit not a UK one...


http://www.pnpsupport.org.nz/
Mrs Magpie
23-09-2006, 14:26
A close friend of a friend of mine had post-partum psychosis and she was treated and is completely better now.....it's a case of the right drugs and support, and although it's not instant it is so much easier to treat than many psychotic illnesses....it's not a life-long condition....(I've just been speaking to my mate on the phone about it).
Blagsta
23-09-2006, 14:55
The crack use is quite likely a big factor in her psychosis.
pk
24-09-2006, 13:58
Innit just...
zuszsa
24-09-2006, 16:07
My acquantance has agreed to go wth me to the walk in place after dinner.

If she changes her mind, I'll call Social Services

Thanks everyone - especially Mrs M
editor
24-09-2006, 16:22
My acquantance has agreed to go wth me to the walk in place after dinner.

If she changes her mind, I'll call Social ServicesGood call!
Mrs Magpie
24-09-2006, 16:31
A tip...one of the people I took there was having really scary hallucinations...I had to really think on my feet and be very calm, very kind, very soothing and very reassuring all the way there....it took over three hours to walk there (normally a 15 minute walk)....I took him there (not a close friend, an ex-colleague) after talking him down from my tower-block balcony because he was going to climb up to jump (a friend rang me after leaving my flat and seeing him by the lifts and realising he was really deeply delusional).....he's OK now btw, this was a few years ago....I didn't do a 999 number because he thought the emergency services were the CIA
jonesy
25-09-2006, 08:58
The Gaia Project. Will help with health drug and domestic violence issues under the one roof. 02077338724
Mrs Magpie
04-10-2006, 21:04
I've been thinking about this a lot since you last posted zuszsa...I hope things are going better than they were....
zuszsa
04-10-2006, 22:19
I appreciate your thoughts Mrs Magpie. I got a threatening call from the shit boyfriend, telling me to stay away or I'd 'be sorry' and that my friend (acquaintance really) wasn't going to be going anywhere with me. I rang social services and then advised the police for good measure. Not sure whats happened - tried talking to a duty social worker on Monday, with little luck. Fortunately I have a couple of mates who are 'influential' in council type circles and I've got them asking questions. I feel a bit shite about it all, truth to tell, but I think I did everything I could.
Now I just keep looking over my shoulder for the boyfriend (who is a bit of Brixton 'face') and make sure my doors and windows are locked.........
Mrs Magpie
04-10-2006, 22:25
:(

I'm so sorry to hear this...but you've done everything you can...
Avantrural
04-10-2006, 23:14
certainly sounds like you've done all you can and more...
hope things take a turn for the better