Meds are out of control

[Misty5]

Hello, I am under a community mental health team which is toxic. I am over medicated with excessive and inappropriate medication under the so called Mental Health Act (constant Community Treatment Orders). I feel like the young male shrink is trying to change me into something I don't want to be. He says I am thought disorded but I think I just speak with more details and clauses and he doesn't listen well. I don't want my thoughts ( and speech) slowed with meds. I have gone from a healthy BMI and my best waist to hip and chest to bust ratio [edited by moderator] to a a morbidly obese size [edited by moderator]. I sleep more than my cat and have not much of a life.  I have adjusted to lack of time for myself and most of the time my mood is fine. I have only ever been accused of being a danger to myself and am a conservative, law abiding citizen so don't see why I should have to have antipsychotics and continuous CTOs forced on me. Although he says I am doing ok, he won't reduce the dose to give me a fighting chance at life and relationships. I have tried the manager's manager, got booted back down the line and a dose increase from sour grapes. I tried the Patient Liaison Officer but they just go back to the team instead of the psychiatrist's chain of command. I've tried writing to the minister but got a facetious reply about how much money is being spent on mental health that did not address the issues. Being has not proved helpful and appears to have lost power. I escalated to PM as I believe the system blatantly wastes money. I was told to get a second opinion by a GP but the system only allows for this via private psychiatry. I have tried using the peer support workers but they are down trodden. Is there anything else I can do?

[tyme]

Hey @Misty5 ,

Sorry to hear about your experiences. It sounds incredibly hard to go through all of this and not feel heard. 

I cannot speak on your circumstances, but from my experiences, I feel the public mental health team balance out the effect of meds vs no meds on the community.

That is, is it better to keep a person on meds (despite the side effects), or to allow them not to and then go with the consequences later such as admissions, psychosis, delusions, paranoia etc.

Unfortunately, when we see and read about instances on the news where people 'should have been medicated' but weren't, I wonder if 'the system' is taking precautions?

I read and hear how much you are struggling to live because of these CTOs. Rest assured, I know you are not alone, even on the forums themselves... others have also posted about such experiences. 

Have you every appealed the CTOs? 

[Misty5]

I know I can appeal through the Supreme court but think I have to pay court costs if I lose. Also, although I am honest to a fault, the system is biased towards the clinicians and carers when they lie.

[Eden1919]

@Misty5  Hi I am also on a treatment order and have issues with my meds this last year my meds were making my life impossible I was getting horrible side effects and being dismissed over and over again I finally ended up in hospital because I got so depressed I was unsafe and The doctor there finally changed my meds and these ones are better. But i still worry about them. Treatment orders are horrible because no one listens to you about your concerns and there are hardly any pathways to advocate for yourself i am sorry i am not much help but you are not alone. 

[Misty5]

Content/trigger warning

@Thyme, thanks for taking the time to reply. I have actually made 2 suicide attempts whilst on the meds due to weight gain and cognitive side effects. The side effects by far outweigh any possible benefits. The meds have a deleterious effect on the very cognition I need to cope. I hate being a burden on society but there is only so much I can do when I'm sedated so much of the time on such high doses.

[tyme]

We hear what you are saying. Please speak to your health provider as we are not able to comment against professional advice.

What we CAN do is sit with you as you navigate the challenges @Misty5 

[Misty5]

My GP is supportive and I am linked in with a psychologist who seems understanding. Even though I feel abused by the community team, I have plenty of time when I am alone and calm. I have hope in between the depot and review dates so it is not all doom and gloom. I don't want to drag down other forum users.