I know I need help from a psychiatrist or someone but I'm scared. I don't like talking about how I feel and about myself so it's going to be difficult for me to open up for the first time ever. I'm concerned also about the fact that if I tell them everything they will try to section me or something... Can they do that? What are the circumstances where they can?
2006-10-04 02:16:26 · 13 answers · asked by J 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
The fact that you know you have a problem and are seeking advice and help yourself would almost certainly mean that you would not be sectioned, which is only ver used as a last resort.
Sectioning can be authorised from a doctor if they believe you are an immediate 'danger to yourself or others around you', and this could not be controlled in any other way ie drugs.
In the Uk you could try NHS direct on the internet and ask some questions and remain anonymous.
2006-10-04 02:22:09 · answer #1 · answered by Paul D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In many countries there are a set of laws often called the "Mental Health Act"
In these laws there are provisions for doctors to write out some kind of form and force a patient to be admitted to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation and care.
This goes by various names - I think you have heard of it as to "section" someone.
In Australia, any doctor can section a patient so long as they are a legally qualified medical practitioner and have examined the patient. Bear in mind that a psychiatric examination involves the doctor observing your behaviour and talking with you.
They should only section you if:
1) you have a mental illness
2) the mental illness is treatable in the hospital to which you detain the patient
3) you are at risk of harming yourself or other people
If you demonstrate good judgement by talking with them and being able to negotiate or make agreements and stick to them, they would probably NOT want to section you and would be more keen to see you do things on a voluntary basis.
If you clam up, hold back and make them worried then they are in fact MORE likely to section you.
One example:
4 or 5 years back I had an odd case. A group of young people had come over from interstate and were staying in cabins in the local caravan park. They were doing some form of promotional work like Gold Visa cards or some such thing. One of them was alleged to have taken out a handful of pills, declared in front of the rest of them that she was going to kill herself and then to begin to eat the pills. Allegedly her friends knocked the pills out of her hands and dragged her to the car and drove her to the hospital where I saw her.
She denied all of this and seemed reasonably normal to interview and examine.
Her friends asserted that it was true. It became a "they-say-she-says" situation.
This was about 2am and so I faced a dilemma. Do I let a potentially suicidal girl go home and try again, or do I section a potentially normal girl based on the (?)lies of her friends.
I discussed this with the on call psychiatry registrar and we wound up deciding that it would be safest to section the girl and let the consultant psychiatrist work it out in the morning.
So that's what happened.
There are worse things than being sectioned, and if you do need to be in hospital then being sectioned might just be the way to get in. If you DON'T need to be in hospital and a doctor sections you anyway, then the psychiatry consultant will work it out the following morning and you can go after that. *shrugs*
Now, I don't know the local rules where YOU are though.
2006-10-04 02:22:27 · answer #2 · answered by Orinoco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well the psychiatrist does that job for a living they know how to deal with all different people that's why they get paid so much, section? do you mean admit you into a mental facility? I'm not sure what you mean but if it is about admitting you they can only do that if you threaten to endanger your self rite there, or make a threat that you plan to follow through with. you have patient privacy rights so if you tell them you did something that you could do jail time for they can not release that information. good luck, if the psych isn't your thing try writing in a journal that can at least help.
2006-10-04 02:23:40 · answer #3 · answered by Now and Again 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's best to opening up to a friend are love one never keep whats on your mind in side . you have to share this with some your you so trust. If I was your friend I do everything I could for you I be there for you. we go to the Doctor together and I ask him question to get a better understanding, about psychiatrist and we will take it from there. At a time like this you need a friend who really care about you.
2006-10-04 02:25:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I can tell you, worrying about it will not make it better. Judging from your words, I would say you don't have anything to worry about. You 'sound' quite sane to me. Perhaps you are suffering from a phobia of some sort. If you are apprehensive about seeing a psychiatrist, see a minister or something for some counselling. There are many helpful books and online help. In fact, if you're dealing with anxiety/depression or phobias, I can help you some. I've dealt with them all. Read my story: http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/AntidepressantThatWorks.html
2006-10-04 02:23:00 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. Peachy® 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends what you're feeling and how you are reacting to these feelings. If you are a potential harm to yourself or someone else then there is a possibility. If you like, let me know what is giong on for you right now and I can tell you how to get help, and the potential outcomes.
2006-10-04 04:44:04 · answer #6 · answered by Stephen J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aw poppet! i believe you can only get sectioned if your a danger to yourself and/or other people.you should try and relax about having to talk to someone,i see a councellor for various things and they put me at ease straight away.it sounds like it will do you some good.once you've opened those flood gates im sure it will all flow.try not to stress sweet heart,lifes too short,take care x
2006-10-04 02:30:17 · answer #7 · answered by spadgeroo2012 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they can if they think you are dangerous to yourself or other people as in you wanna commit suicide or something like that & if you do then you probably need to be sectioned it can't be much worse than the atlernative
2006-10-04 02:20:09 · answer #8 · answered by Jenny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if they feel you are unable to are unable to look after youself or a harm to yourself or others and then they have to prove it without breaching confidentiallty. dont worry they will help you before thinking of that.
2006-10-04 02:29:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sectioned? What are you talking about??
2006-10-04 02:25:34 · answer #10 · answered by jessiekatsopolous 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋