Husband scared of the "Nut House"!


Question: Husband scared of the "Nut House"
My husband has been diagnosed with bipolar!. Lately I've noticed other symptoms that seem more like schizophrenia along with bipolar!.

These symptoms appear when he doesn't take his medications properly, which happens sometimes!. He hears voices, sees things, disorganized when talking and his thought process isn't clear!. He over-exerts himself trying to help other people by driving them around and finds himself not having enough gas for work!.

He is also afraid of going back to prison and says he will kill himself if he goes back!. His parole officer threatened to send him back if he doesn't get a job in two weeks!. He has been trying to get a job!

He doesn't admit or realize these symptoms are really happening!. The symptoms he does know about, he will not disclose them because he is afraid of being sent to the "nut house"!.

I encouraged him to invite me to one of his therapy appointments!. I want to discuss these issues with his therapist!.

I need to find a way to tell his therapist about these problems!. I don't want to go behind his back!. Is this appropriate!?Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
Hi there,
Bi-polar disorder is notoriously difficult to diagnose accurately and as with most other mental health disorders, psychiatric opinion will probably change over the months and years bringing with it possible changes in diagnosis for your husband!. What is important is that he does not get boxed in by inflexible thinking and develops a trusting relationship with his therapist!. Unfortunately for you, this trust is partly based upon client/therapist confidentiality so if your husband doesn't want you to talk to his therapist, there is no way the therapist would be able to talk to you about him!. If you are sure that it is for the best, perhaps writing a letter outlining your concerns to the therapist would be appropriate!. iIt would allow the therapist to choose to use the information or not as they see fit and would not impinge upon confidentiality!. Does it matter if this is done behind your husbands back!? I don't know- this has to be your choice, but we have to remember that the alternative could be suicide!.
As parts of the multi-disciplinary team, both therapist and parole officer neeed to liaise in order to improve the situation for your husband and this does not seem to be happening!. they are both supposed to be representing his best interests so perhaps you could do a little pushing there; especially with the possibility of suicide evident!. Threats of suicide can not be ignored!.
Finally, you appear to be under a great deal of strain yourself and I wonder what support you are getting!. Please do not ignore your own mental health in your determination to care for your partner!. Seek out any groups in your area which offer support for the families of those with mental health disorders or get a therapist of your own!. In searching for support, don't forget your husband; I imagine he feels pretty bad about himself and thinks he is just about useless which is why he exhausts himself trying to help others!. Asking for support from him may help both of you and perhaps bridge that gap where he can feel he can bring you to therapy with him!.
Best of luck for the future!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

I think you are doing the right thing by going to your husband's therapist!. You love and care about him!. He does need to take his medication as prescribed!. If he does not take responsibility taking his medication, maybe you will have to help him!. Discuss this with his therapist!. I hope he will take his medication on his own!. Good Luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

If he is bipolar he needs to be on medications for sure and you need to get him to see a doctor, who will more than likey send him to a psychiatrist where he can get the medications he definately needs!. I am bipolar and sadly the symtoms that he is experiencing can be due to bipolar or he could just be schizophrenic, only a psychiatrist can really determine that!. If he is being suicidal, try and get him to the emergency room where they will admit him to a psych ward for evaluation!. I crashed badly one time and was admitted myself!. He has nothing to fear, they do not use restraints or anything unless he is being violent or trying to harm himself!. Other than those worse case scenarios, they will just evaluate him, and get him started on medication!. Most states have a law which mandate up to a 72 hours stay, at the end of which the psychiatrist that is treating him will let him out unless they feel he is still a threat to him!. Usually, they let the patient go and put them in an outpatient treatment program for 30 days and then its seeing a psychiatrist on a regular basis to see if the patient is stable!. I think you should try and get your husband into the hospital as soon as possible, and contact his parole officer with your concerns and your plan of action!. Also, I believe all states have a law to where if anyone thinks someone is a threat to themselves, they can have them forcefully (just taken in by the police) taken to the hosptial and admitted for up to 72 hours and they have to show just cause to keep him longer!. Www@Answer-Health@Com

Psychosis is a symptom of mania (and can also be of depression)!. If you husband's mood is altered, his problem is not schizophrenia but unchecked bipolar!. He needs to be on the right meds at the right doses consistently as I'm sure you already know!.

If he's close to being put back in prison, is unaware of some of his symptoms (i!.e!. delusional which is psychosis), and non-med compliant!.!.!. I think that you are right to talk to his doctors!. He's episodic and it's causing him harm!. He's probably not in condition to get a job, but his parole officer isn't going to get that unless he fully grasps his mood state!. Try an intervention with family and/or friends, but if that doesn't get you somewhere, talking with his docs is the best step you have shy of trying to have him committed yourself!. I have bipolar!. Under the same circumstances, I'd rather my docs adjusted my meds and ppl convinced me to take them instead of the alternatives!. I'd also prefer a short stay on the psych ward over prison!. That one is an easy call!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

I would begin keeping a journal of the symptoms you see!. If you are aware of the problems and your husband won't address the issue - you are the responsible party!. If, by documenting your concerns, you can help him see the problems - he may be more willing to partner with you in managing the symptoms!. Your husband may have a counselor and a psychiatrist!. They both need to know how the medication, and the medication compliance are going!. Alcohol and drug use can significantly affect how his medications work - he should not be taking any other substances!. You can help with developing a system for not forgetting the medications!. Try to tie the medication consumption in with other routine activities!. Most of all - I want you, him, and others to be safe!. Safety can override your concerns about reporting his condition to those who need to know to help him!. I wonder if he is working with the local Vocational Rehabilitation Office!? They may be able to help with the employment issue!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Sounds like his meds need to be adjusted, if he's on any!. If not, then maybe he should be!. It's not "going behind his back" if you contact his therapist to discuss your concerns because his illness is preventing him from seeing his symptoms and behavior clearly, but it will probably keep things smoother between you if you ask him to include you first!. He needn't be afraid of the hospital!. Even if they recommend that he go, nobody can force him to go (or to stay) unless he's suicidal or homicidal!. These days, with health insurance being so stingy, even if he went, it would only be for a few days, for stabilization and probably meds adjustment, and he would have the right to leave as a voluntary patient!. It's nothing like the old days where they could lock you up for years at a time!. It doesn't happen like that anymore!.Www@Answer-Health@Com





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