Has anyone been sectioned unreasonably?

Question

After a very violent argument with my husband, I sought help from my GP for depression and after being persuaded to have a brief stay in hospital, was placed under section 5 (2) of the Mental Health Act 1981 and was held against my will for twenty four hours when I decided I would rather go home. I felt that this was an unreasonable course of action for the doctor to have taken and told her so. I have been discharged but am suffering sleep problems and panic attacks from the trauma that being sectioned has caused. I can't trust doctors any more, but my sleep problems are leaving me rather desperate. I have requested an independent investigation into the event, but don't have any real faith that they will agree with me. Does anyone have any similar experiences? What should I do?

Please, no more answers from Moonfairy. I just can't take how fabulous her life is. God, get a job instead of sitting at home telling the world how to manage itself.

Answer 1

While I have never experienced what you did...I have seen one of the facilities in our local mental hospitals where they do keep patients against their Will...they drug them and keep them, sometimes strapped to their bed...it is so degrading. I have worked for the last 25 years in the youth sector.

If you even mentioned that you wanted to kill yourself or harm yourself in any way then they would have reason to hold you. If you didnt and were just depressed and needed support, then they certainly cannot hold you. Although proving it is another thing. And even if you didnt say you wanted to harm yourself, if the Doctor thought you were, then that is reason to hold you too....Its very unfair and very inhumane, and gives Doctors a lot of power.

I really feel for you, it must have been a horrible experience, and what a shame this Doctor did this to you because you will think twice before you go to anyone for help if you need to. I can also understand how you could be having trouble sleeping because I have seen first hand these "lock-down" facilities.

I am sure you are totally turned off counsellors....so maybe find a good friend who you can talk to. They may know of a counsellor or professional person who is a good one. I am a qualified counsellor myself and I see all too often this kind of thing happening, but I assure you there are professional people out there who will be interested in listening to you without putting a label on you and forcing you into a situation you dont want to be in.

I tend to agree with you about not having faith that anything will come out of this investigation because you are one person fighting the whole medical profession...I wish you success because it was very wrong what happened to you. Being kept against your Will kinda constitues raping your mind..using power to make you do something you dont want to do. I think in a lot of cases psychiatric hospitals can do more harm than good...although in saying that I also know of people whos lives have been saved by this kind of intervention.

I think maybe you should change your doctor.....talk to a new doctor about your experience...shop around and you will eventually find one who is sympathetic to your unique situation.

Dont feel desperate, this is a one-off situation, it wont happen again....Im sure though, the experience has made you a little bit wiser. There are "good" professional people out there who will know how to help you...please dont let this one horrible experience allow you to think that all doctors/counsellors are all the same. All you have to do is shop around for the ones who you connect with. Maybe make a couple of phone calls and talk to the counsellors over the phone, then choose the one who you think would be the best person for you. They may be professional people but if you dont connect with them, then it is a wasted experience....but that is only my opinion.

If I were closer I would give you a hug. Please cheer up, honestly, not all doctors and professional people are the same.

Answer 2

First off: General Practitioners aren't psychiatrists. They aren't trained in treating Depression. A simple pill is often not enough to fix the overall problem. It's a life changing condition with treatments that time to work. Seek true professional assistance.

It takes 2 MDs to sign a psych observation order, and the patient has to be...

1. A danger to yourself or others (the violent argument you mentioned is probable cause).
2. Unable to take care of yourself (loss of global functioning).

You're lucky. It's ***72hr holds (and weekends don't count)*** in other states.

Chances are an investigation won't find fault with the MDs, since both signed off that they had a good reason (with progress notes to back up the decision) that you had a reason to be evaluated.

As frightening as it can be, look at it from the MD and society perspective. Depression causes some serious societal problems. Such folks are much more likely to self-medicate (i.e., become drug abusers and alcoholics); harm others and themselves; unable to support themselves (you should see how many patients in severe Depression that come in to the hospital with LICE, yes, LICE and skin boils); have physical symptions that can reduce their lifespan or incapacitate them. MDs take an oath to do "no harm", and they can't watch a patient wither away, nor be out of control to harm others or themselves. Society can't either, as that would make humans less than humane.

Depression is not humane, it's unbearable and the results to the victim and society robs both of their potential.

Personally, take it as a badge of courage -- you got out without a broken nose; sutured chin; and didn't have a schizoprenic try to punch or strangle you (they are extremely dangerous when having a halluciation attack -- superhuman strength). You made it through Purgatory, now how about walking onto Recovery? Only you can do the walking, and only if you try.

Answer 3

I was put in under the same section, I was told by my doctor that the only way they could this legally was (if you are over 18) is if you tell them you may be a threat to yourself or others. I was kept in for 4 days, I wanted desperately to go home after 1 day. So I just told them what they wanted to hear. I suggest getting a new doctor if you can't trust the GP that put you in there. The law may be different for every state, I am in CA

Answer 4

is this in England because I never heard of this act.that some law thy can used to put you away for a day,if this is england I heard thy had bad doctor when come to sleep many people had to come to Columbus ,Ohio to see a Dr. Clark

Answer 5

That is why I refuse to ever see a physician again. Or a 'counselor', 'therapist', whatever. They are all dangerous in their arrogance.

Answer 6

They have the right to keep you if they feel you are a danger to yourself or others. obviously they felt you needed an evaluation. I think your panic attacks and anxiety is from your illness (part of it)

Answer 7

TEAM MOONFAIRY!