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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/2017/sep/27/suffered-psychosis-sectioned-nurses-saved-me-mental-health-nhs
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| I had psychosis and was sectioned. Nurses saved me from the brink | I had psychosis and was sectioned. Nurses saved me from the brink |
| (7 days later) | |
| A few years ago, I was suffering with psychosis and was admitted to hospital under the Mental Health Act. I remained there for nearly two months. At the time I didn’t realise I was ill, despite hearing voices and experiencing major delusions. I have encountered many healthcare professionals since that time, but it has been the regular support from mental health nurses, especially out in the community, that has really kept me well, more than medication or appointments with psychiatrists or therapists. | A few years ago, I was suffering with psychosis and was admitted to hospital under the Mental Health Act. I remained there for nearly two months. At the time I didn’t realise I was ill, despite hearing voices and experiencing major delusions. I have encountered many healthcare professionals since that time, but it has been the regular support from mental health nurses, especially out in the community, that has really kept me well, more than medication or appointments with psychiatrists or therapists. |
| A psychiatric ward can be a scary place for a patient; the nurses I came to know while living on the ward became beacons of stability. They encouraged us to get involved in activities; they chatted to us about mundane things; they didn’t press us on our delusions or misconceptions. They gently reinforced a day-to-day normality. One nurse brought in her manicure kit with over 30 polishes and painted our nails for us. Another organised meetings where patients could air their grievances and suggestions for improving the ward. At the time, my delusional mental state convinced me they were all actors and that I was in a fake secure unit. In contrast, I thought the psychiatrists were really military interrogators, based on my meetings with them. | A psychiatric ward can be a scary place for a patient; the nurses I came to know while living on the ward became beacons of stability. They encouraged us to get involved in activities; they chatted to us about mundane things; they didn’t press us on our delusions or misconceptions. They gently reinforced a day-to-day normality. One nurse brought in her manicure kit with over 30 polishes and painted our nails for us. Another organised meetings where patients could air their grievances and suggestions for improving the ward. At the time, my delusional mental state convinced me they were all actors and that I was in a fake secure unit. In contrast, I thought the psychiatrists were really military interrogators, based on my meetings with them. |
| When I left hospital, I was ushered into the care of a community mental health team with fortnightly and then monthly home visits from a community psychiatric nurse (CPN). At this time I was living with family, in another part of the country, as my marriage had broken down. I was still suffering from psychosis and refused to accept I was unwell, but a friendly CPN kept showing up every few weeks undeterred. While she offered kind words and suggestions about medication, follow-on services and general chat, I realised that the impending doom I was convinced of was a delusion, and that normal life as I had once known it could continue as before. | When I left hospital, I was ushered into the care of a community mental health team with fortnightly and then monthly home visits from a community psychiatric nurse (CPN). At this time I was living with family, in another part of the country, as my marriage had broken down. I was still suffering from psychosis and refused to accept I was unwell, but a friendly CPN kept showing up every few weeks undeterred. While she offered kind words and suggestions about medication, follow-on services and general chat, I realised that the impending doom I was convinced of was a delusion, and that normal life as I had once known it could continue as before. |
| It took around four months after being discharged from hospital, for me to realise I had been suffering from psychosis. Prior to this my only experience with mental health problems had been a period of depression several years before. The monthly visits from my CPN became even more vital as I could now get the advice and support I needed to move forward with my life. Throughout this time, she was non-judgmental and didn’t press me to talk about my delusions. The home visits provided a dignified and supportive way to overcome my illness. I was encouraged by her to think about continuing with my studies and was given the confidence to start some voluntary work. Having one community nurse who I could develop a level of trust with undoubtedly helped me get well. | It took around four months after being discharged from hospital, for me to realise I had been suffering from psychosis. Prior to this my only experience with mental health problems had been a period of depression several years before. The monthly visits from my CPN became even more vital as I could now get the advice and support I needed to move forward with my life. Throughout this time, she was non-judgmental and didn’t press me to talk about my delusions. The home visits provided a dignified and supportive way to overcome my illness. I was encouraged by her to think about continuing with my studies and was given the confidence to start some voluntary work. Having one community nurse who I could develop a level of trust with undoubtedly helped me get well. |
| During this recovery time I was able to rekindle my relationship with my husband and me returned to the care of my original NHS trust. Unfortunately, the services that I had been accessing were restricted there by age and I was not eligible for the level of support or home visits I’d been receiving previously. | During this recovery time I was able to rekindle my relationship with my husband and me returned to the care of my original NHS trust. Unfortunately, the services that I had been accessing were restricted there by age and I was not eligible for the level of support or home visits I’d been receiving previously. |
| Due to the lack of support I could feel the improvements in my mental health slipping. I hadn’t realised, until that point, how much I’d been reliant on the stability of the monthly visits from a CPN or how NHS mental health care is a postcode lottery. | Due to the lack of support I could feel the improvements in my mental health slipping. I hadn’t realised, until that point, how much I’d been reliant on the stability of the monthly visits from a CPN or how NHS mental health care is a postcode lottery. |
| I was eventually offered family therapy, which proved to be really helpful. Two CPNs visited my husband and I at home over a period of several months and helped us identify triggers to prevent further psychosis in the future. Again, the nurses were kind, friendly and non-judgmental and helped us set joint and individual goals, such as joining a gym and finding voluntary work. | I was eventually offered family therapy, which proved to be really helpful. Two CPNs visited my husband and I at home over a period of several months and helped us identify triggers to prevent further psychosis in the future. Again, the nurses were kind, friendly and non-judgmental and helped us set joint and individual goals, such as joining a gym and finding voluntary work. |
| I was then offered five months of further home visits. I haven’t needed to take any medication for nearly 18 months and have had no further episodes of psychosis, so the future is looking very positive. The monthly check-ins with a CPN have really given me the support, knowledge and stability to stay well. Nurses provide the human side of healthcare and can explain problems in a way that doctors often fail to do. Where the doctors were clinical and cold and left me feeling like a strange case study, the nurses treated me like a human being and enabled me to accept my condition and move on from it. I can’t thank them or credit their skills enough. | I was then offered five months of further home visits. I haven’t needed to take any medication for nearly 18 months and have had no further episodes of psychosis, so the future is looking very positive. The monthly check-ins with a CPN have really given me the support, knowledge and stability to stay well. Nurses provide the human side of healthcare and can explain problems in a way that doctors often fail to do. Where the doctors were clinical and cold and left me feeling like a strange case study, the nurses treated me like a human being and enabled me to accept my condition and move on from it. I can’t thank them or credit their skills enough. |
| If you would like to contribute to the Guardian Healthcare Professionals Network about experiences in healthcare, read our guidelines and get in touch by emailing sarah.johnson@theguardian.com. | If you would like to contribute to the Guardian Healthcare Professionals Network about experiences in healthcare, read our guidelines and get in touch by emailing sarah.johnson@theguardian.com. |
| Join the Healthcare Professionals Network to read more pieces like this. And follow us on Twitter (@GdnHealthcare) to keep up with the latest healthcare news and views. | Join the Healthcare Professionals Network to read more pieces like this. And follow us on Twitter (@GdnHealthcare) to keep up with the latest healthcare news and views. |