Do we have any mental health professionals on GS?
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Hey Im not professional, but I work for NHS Mental Health day services. We run a social group for people with mental health issues, mostly deal with depression and anxiety. Let me know if I could help u with anything relating mental health.
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Great aayma!
I'm trying to help someone that thinks they are depressed but don't want to talk about it.
Based on some reading that I did online, I have a feeling that they are bi-polar but I can't be sure. How do I help someone like this?
Especially since they do not want to seek help.....
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aww sorry Muzna ... I misunderstood your post. Hope things work out fine with that person.
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no worries Hareem…I kinda figured you might be relating this thread to some other happenings around here…
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I was thinking along those lines too as Hareem.
Since I have dealt with what you are talking about the first thing with bi-polar people is that they do not know that they are bi-polar only a psychiatrist can do the right diagnosis and prescribe the treatment.
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As I told u Im not professional, as I deal with the office bit and report the clients condition regularly to their social workers, but I can give u suggestion like to go for counselling if she is not comfortable talking about it to everyone, as not sharing her problems or let her alone can make things worse, u haven't mentioned details about wht actually making her depressed, but try make her do things she finds happiness in or calm her down and keep herself busy. By contacting gp (if u are in uk), they will send her to day services, where she'll meet other ladies and can make new friends. Please don't take anti-depressants which no doubt does make u feel better for a short time but it has so many side effects (If u live in pakistan as here in uk u can't get anti depressants until their dr prescribe them.
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Im not a mental health professional (but inshAllah i will be a psychiatrist one day) - but have done alot of special study modules during medical school relating to mental health and help at the student counselling services as a volunteer.
What makes you think this person is bi-polar muzna?
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they have pretty regular episodes of being severely depressed, so much so that they don't want to get out of bed and they have episodes of extremely high energy where they behave like they are high on something.........
I did some reading online and the symptoms match those of a number of bi-polar self-tests that are available online.
my issue is that the person doesn't want to talk to anyone about it......they have said this categorically........yet they have reached out to me.
I want to help but I get frustrated when I know that there is a need for professional diagnosis and I can't get the person to go.......
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Some how or the other convince them to see a psychiatrist.
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I've been trying to do that......haven't had any success.
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Sounds like they may be bipolar. But they do need correct diagnosis by professionals.
One episode of mania may be enough for diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
Mania is when the person does not sleep for even days.. or sleeps very little, very active/restless (akathesia). Talks a lot and fast, spends money irrationally, etc. etc.
They may be very fast thinker and people may think of them intelligent. (close to Hypomania) Some artists or poets may be manic.
Depression is when person does opposite, no interest in anything, cries easy, loses appetite..etc.
Treatment of bipolar includes lithium.
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I’m getting to the point where I think I should administer small doses of lithium to this person somehow…maybe meet up for coffee and drop it in…
Seriously though…I need suggestions on how to convince them to see a professional…
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Ask the professional how to deal with this kind of person and bring them to this professional. I am sure they would have some tricks up their sleeves.
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@ Muzna: :D
It is very difficult if someone is not willing to. One cannot just tie these people up, pack them in he car and drop them at hospital.
They need constant suggestions and support from close relatives/friends. And hope for the best.
The person who these people listen to, may need to intervene.
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yes diwana.....that is precisely my problem......I cannot tie the person up and transport them anywhere unless they are willing to go......and even if I managed to trick them into it, they will not benefit from the consult until and unless they are willing to accept the advice/meds.
the only option I see that I have is to continue to listen when they speak and continue to work on them like water drips on a rock.......
the other problem is seeing this person and their family suffer as a result of their manic episodes....
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yes diwana.....that is precisely my problem......I cannot tie the person up and transport them anywhere unless they are willing to go......and even if I managed to trick them into it, they will not benefit from the consult until and unless they are willing to accept the advice/meds.
the only option I see that I have is to continue to listen when they speak and continue to work on them like water drips on a rock.......
the other problem is seeing this person and their family suffer as a result of their manic episodes....
I don't know where you are or these options are prasctical or not,
but there can be some agencies who can come out and help; they can send home health care person under a physician's supervision.
Emergency medical services can be involved.
Also once medicines are started (obviously after correct diagnosis is made) people do become more prone to listening.
Lying to these people is never a good idea. They have very sharp brain and remember a lot. Honestly telling them that they may have problem and need to be checked out is best option.
Again, when too sharp, they may give very strong reasons that they are not sick. Show them their videos or pictures before and after they became sick. Explain what they might have wrong with them tactfully.
All takes a lot of patience.
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That's really sad and it's nothing to make light of....in some ways mental health is worse than being physically ill...because it's unseen and not taken as seriously as physical illness.
You're right in that you cant' force someone to be "treated"....but if the person poses a serious physical threat to themselves or others, then action can be taken