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Schizophrenia to PSD, advice needed please.
- By willow
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Fri 10 Apr 2009 17:46
Hello to all here.
If anyone can give me some advice I would be most grateful.
Our Son was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 1996 when he was 19 years old. He has been in touch with the mental health services since he was 11.Over the years my Husband and I have taken full responsibility for our Son and have only had Carers Assessments over the past 4 years, our Son is now 31.
The Consultants we have seen throughout the years have been understanding, kind and caring to both our Son and we as Carers.
Approx 18 months ago we had a new Psychiatrist. We were not sure but we had to see her and so we saw her about 5 times in all. She sent our Son for an epilepsy test and explained that this could be the reason for our Son's illness and not schizophrenia????? I thought this absurd and the tests proved negative.
She said on at least 3 ocassions that our Son needed a CPN due to the severity of his illness!
On one consultation she was aggressive and her attitude unacceptable, my Son and I left very upset and he refused to see her again but saw her understudy 3 times but she left leaving us with this Psychiatrist who we had lost all confidence in.
This is a letter what she sent to our Son in Feb that we found not only dangerous but irresponsible and cruel:
You have not come to see me recently. In view of this I have written to your GP suggesting that I discharge you.
On reviewing your case notes I am very unsure as to whether you have a diagnosis of schizophrenia and as you are aware I have always tried to investigate other possibilities. I believe you probably have a more long term problem which started in your teens or even earlier and may not particularly respond well to drug treatment. I am rather concerned that you're on Olanzapine which does have a tendency to put weight on people and has been linked to diabetes. As we are not really sure that you need your medication I have suggested to your GP that it is to be gradually reduced and withdrawn.The letter to our GP read nothing like it.
Our Son was beside himself when he read this letter. As a family we know the way in which this illness affects him and of course we are all very concerned for us as a family and the consequences to our Son's health and the way in which we will have cope with our Son's psychosis and hallucinations etc....if this happens.
Our GP looked at the letter and looked down to his desk and made clear that our Son would not have his medication withdrawn at this point and begged our Son to see another mental health team.
If you can give any advice or help in any way with suggestions etc.... I would be so grateful.Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post.
A very worried Mum
Replies
- By Tonyd1
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Re: Schizophrenia to PSD, advice needed please.
Fri 10 Apr 2009 20:33Hi Willow
This is a disgrace, at the moment your GP seems to be on your side, so I would go back to him and demand he refer you to a different phsychiatrist for a second opinion, it is your and your sons right to have this. You could also talk to his CPN and explain he can`t get on with the phsychiatrist, and see what they suggest. I wish you all the best and let us know how you get on.
- By Hippyp
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Re: Schizophrenia to PSD, advice needed please.
Fri 10 Apr 2009 22:52Hi Willow. I would certainly go back to the GP and ask him to refer your son to another Psychiatrist. Also ring Mind or another mental health charity, see what they suggest. But your son definitely needs another mental health team. Does he have a cpn? He should also be able to help if you explain the situation & that your not happy with that psychiatrist and her treatment of your son!!!
Hope all goes well.
- By willow
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Re: Schizophrenia to PSD, advice needed please.
Sat 11 Apr 2009 15:46Hello Tony and Hippy
Thank you so much for taking your time to respond, it is very much appreciated.
I have been so distraught lately with all of this, after reading my post I missed a little of the story.
Our Son did have a CPN for years and he was very good but sadly he died in 2001 and our Son just could not face another stranger.
Our GP who has been an excellent Dr is very much on our side, in fact we have two Dr's that are very supportive of us; one is about to retire. So we still have backup here.
Our GP said he would speak with the Psychiatrist and thank her for her services and request that she refers us to another team and we are now awaiting an appointment.
Our Dr did read the contents of the letter he received from my Son's Psychiatrist and it read nothing like the letter that she had sent to our Son. She has said that she thinks he has Personality disorder but if he has, he doesn't have the criteria for this in his symptoms but what he does display are all the symptoms of Schizophrenia.
As a Mother I have read so much about Schizophrenia and have educated myself to the best possible standard so that I could converse with the medical team in order to understand and have the best possible tratment for our Son's welfare and health.
A cousin of mine has Paranoid Psychosis and my Husbands Uncle has Schizophrenia.
How can a severe mental illness disappear over night? If he has a diagnosis of PSD his medication will be withdrawn and our Son and my Husband and I will have no support and a seriously ill man on our hands; I am so afraid for the future. We will no longer be under the mental health team and this diagnosis will dismiss his illness.
I have already compiled a list of questions and intend to do all that I can in an assertive manner to have our Son's illness recognised and treated.
I will contact mind and check out othere organisations and ask for their advice.
I will keep you informed.
God bless and a Happy Easter to all here.
- By wendy
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Re: Schizophrenia to PSD, advice needed please.
Sat 11 Apr 2009 16:10Hi Willow,
It would be a very good idea to contact Mind or Sane.
, SANEline, on 0845 767 8000. The helpline is open from 6.00pm until 11.00pm every day of the year.
Talking will help and I hope that you will soon find help and support.
God bless you and a Happy Easter also, remember the members here are always ready to help.
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By goddess57
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Re: Schizophrenia to PSD, advice needed please.
Tue 21 Apr 2009 12:19Seems your son didnt get on well with this psychiatrist to well and you have a right to be very annoyed at them ,my son takes fits so I know you could tell your self if he was having them I did and hes now on medication for epilepsy,So she doesnt seem to know what shes doing ,you do need another person to check your son out and get him the help you need and your doctor seems to know this also the way you have been treated by this person and your son.Hope you get it all sorted out and you get a good rest and lots of help for him.
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