MENTAL HEALTH The Facts and the Fiction A Patient's Perspective
Perhaps........
Banishing the Myths A Personal Perspective
Perhaps the most worrying aspect of mental health problems for the patient is the reaction of other people to their 'condition'. Often the reaction is one of embarrassed silence. For this reason, I say I have been in 'hospital' and avoid saying why or naming either Marchwood, Melbury Lodge or Connaught House. It would be easier to explain a burst appendix.
The Patient's Perspective
Entering the system
For most this starts with a visit to the GP
NHS or Private Mental Health Provision
Melbury Lodge – NHS Winchester
Marchwood Priory Private
The Main Differences to me between the Private and NHS Mental Health Hospital
Marchwood Priory
PRIVACY Lovely rooms with en suite facilities and television in rooms No locks on bathroom doors! Plenty of staff so if you needed to talk you could always do so Regular/daily appointments with counsellors/psychiatrists, etc
Melbury Lodge
Staff did not wear uniforms so relationships less formal perhaps Much larger patient:staff ratio and no regular counselling sessions I felt very lonely – this is different to wanting to be alone – there was very little privacy Less attractive surroundings
The Main Differences to me between the Private and NHS Mental Health Hospital continued ...
Marchwood Priory
I could hide if I wanted to and be left alone without intrustion or intervention – that mattered a lot to me Here I felt I could take life at my own pace
Melbury Lodge
Bathrooms did have locks on doors!!! CV involved staff even coming with you to the loo!! Here I felt under pressure each day at least to demonstrate some pretence of wanting to move forwards – I felt it was the only way I could get out – the only other route was suicide which one patient chose whilst I was there
Consultant Psychiatrist
Occupational Therapist
Care Worker
Psychiatric Nurse
THERE ARE, OF COURSE, OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO BECOME INVOLVED
GP CASUALTY OFFICERS THE DUTY OFRFICER AT THE MENTAL HEALTH UNIT THE CRISIS TEAM THE SAMARITANS# RASAC and other voluntary organisations
The Consultant Psychiatrist
A problem solver – the problem being YOU the 'client'. OK I'll admit it – these people make me scared They have the power to turn my life upside down I'm frightened of decisions they can maker about my care – about powers they may exert simply because they feel they had to 'do something' because their job tells them to When maybe I just need to stand still ..........
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The role of the Occupational Therapist
A heavily disguised Health Professional!!
The Occupational Therapist
These are really 'good guys'. They are teachers of life skills; they are great listeners; they can be putting you through your paces on an anxiety management course one minute, and partnering you in badminton the next. They get you 'back on track' so-to-speak. Difficult to spot – may be dressed in 'classic' clean cut straight out of public school attire, or promoting the 'alternative' life-style of pony tail and tie-dyed t-shirt. These guys do not judge you.
I SO DO NOT NEED A SOCIAL WORKER OK? That was before I met Len
The role of the Social Worker
He listens and doesn't judge He's a friend He makes things alright He doesn't carry a hidden agenda Nothing I do or say causes him to flap! and I have tried!!!
He's just a normal kind of guy who takes me out for coffee like I'm just a friend He asks the right questions and knows when to stop Nothing is ever too much trouble for him
DAY CARE
For most people who have been patients in the NHS system, this is the main route back to 'normal' life after a spell in hospital. The disadvantage for the person who has been in a private facility is that they can be returned to 'normal' life with no support or further provision.
CONNAUGHT HOUSE
Home to an assortment of Health Professionals and 'clients' 'If you can tell the difference between the Health Carer and the Client – then there's something wrong' Chris Wagg, OT
Making the Transition
Clients at Connaught House are encouraged to access a range of activities and courses designed to build confidence, physical wellbeing, social skills and skills which may help with future employment.
COPING SKILLS
Learn positive ways of coping Relaxation Challenging negative thoughts Anxiety management Learning to set realistic goals – the following demonstrates this ...
STORY OF A LIFE IN FIVE CHAPTERS
CHAPTER ONE I walk down the street There is a deep hole in the pavement I fall in, I am lost, I am helpless It wasn't my fault
CHAPTER TWO
I walk down the street There is a deep hole in the pavement I pretend I don't see it. If fall in again I can't believe I'm in the same place But it isn't my fault It still takes a long time to get out
CHAPTER THREE
I walk down the same street There is a deep hole in the pavement I see it there, I still fall in, it's a habit My eyes are open I know where I am It is my fault I get out immediately
CHAPTER FOUR
I walk down the same street There is a deep hole in the pavement I walk around it
CHAPTER FIVE
I walk down another street oooOOOooo
Obvious – exercise
Less BENEFITScontact with others and building THE Obvious – of social skills Obvious – exercise
Less Obvious – contact with others and building of social skills
IT
MIND come to Connaught House with lots of laptops They work with each service user Each session is tailored to the individual's needs
CRAFT GROUP
A whole range of activities – painting, knitting, model making etc – and you can do whatever you like – or just sit and watch someone else
SOME GENERAL THOUGHTS
ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS FROM WHERE I STAND NOW
SELF HARM
I am a self-harmer I slash my arms Sometimes I cut my face You might think that I should be ashamed or embarrassed – but I'm not thinking of others when I do this – but I am desperate for the release it provides which is a positive feeling for me
I have to confess I often find myself peering closely at myself in the mirror looking for signs of 'madness' – some kind of distant look in the eye or the wild, uncontrollable edge of a typical James Bond style villain. Actually, when things are really bad looking in the mirror is something I avoid – because I am frightened that I will see exactly that
STANDING STILL ...
If I keep very very very still may be I can make sense of what is happening to me If I don't move my head I might be able to work out which things in the room are real and which are in my imagination I don't have to answer that question because the person asking it is only a shadow .....These are some of the thoughts that pass through my head – could you help me?
FACT – I Like my medication FACT – I like feeling supported FACT – I like having the 'curtain' of medication to hide behind
CRISIS
So can the average mental health professional really understand the feelings and state of mind of someone on the point of a crisis?
How can they tell when someone is really on the edge of something or a feeling that they can no longer tolerate?
How can the mental health professional help when the patient no longer has the will or the energy to articulate their thoughts?
I'm not sure I know the answer to this one
How can they possibly know how bad this is' – I used to think – a bit like listening to an antenatal class leader who has never actually given birth describe the pain of childbirth||| It has to start with trust.
WARNING!!!
PLEASE TAKE NOTE!
Never underestimate how much the mental health professional is needed Sometimes talking is too much, too painful Sometimes threatened suicides are not 'just a cry for help' or emotional blackmail and do become a reality Don't assume that textbook case scenarios apply to your client Please avoid 'labels and psycho-babble
SO...
Can you be still? Can you listen? Can you hear the hidden truth that someone is saying behind the words they speak aloud? Can you develop that trust?
Some of the things that have made a huge difference to me
The real respect and kindness shown to me – even when things have been wholly hopeless, and I know that the OT's for example must know my situation, but they just carry on as usual The way the staff laugh with you NEVER at you The sense of 'mucking in' and being one of the 'family'
Back to me ....
I've been 'ill' for quite a long time now I don't know when I'll be better I do know that there is some support out there I'm not alone on this jouney and I can trust