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Suggest Treatment For Severe Depression, Pessimistic And Negative Attitude
Question: My 18 Grandson is depressed to the point of suicide. He refuses to stay at either of his parent's homes. He came to me in FL for two weeks and couldn't bear that either. He refuses to see a doctor. He says he will ride a bicycle and live in the streets. I've offered to fly to RI to find him an MD, stay until he feels better, rent him a room, buy him a car. His response is that he is NOT going to pay auto insurance or anything else. He refuses to go to community college where he is registered; refuses to look for work, etc. He does NOTHING! He wants me to move to RI (I've been in FL for 9 years and I am 65 years old and not wealthy enough to relocate up north). He has threatened suicide often. Last week his Mother called 911 and he was physically taken to the hospital and seen by a "counselor" who said he was fine and let him go. Please! This is killing me. What more can I do?
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Brief Answer:
Recommendations given...
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your query.
I understand that you are very concerned about your grandson. From your description of his problems, it indeed appears that he is suffering from serious mental health issues and is likely to be going through a severe depression.
Unfortunately, when depression becomes severe, the affected person often loses the ability to think logically and reasonably. Such persons may even develop false beliefs that they are worthless, that their life is doomed and that no amount of help would help resolve their problems. This negative and pessimistic attitude along with the lack of motivation or interest to do things (which again, is commonly seen in depression) leaves them in a state where they become incapacitated to do anything productive. My opinion is that your grandson is most likely in this state currently.
I'm not sure whether the "counsellor" that he was seen by had a chance to perform a proper mental state examination or not. As I had mentioned earlier, persons with severe depression come to believe (falsely) that they cannot be helped. So, often we see that they don't reveal or talk about their problems and may even refuse help.
In this scenario, my advise would be to for you to convince his mother to take him to a Psychiatrist, so that the correct diagnosis is made and the necessary help is provided. If needed, he can even be treated as an in-patient for a period of time till his symptoms come under reasonable control.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist
Recommendations given...
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your query.
I understand that you are very concerned about your grandson. From your description of his problems, it indeed appears that he is suffering from serious mental health issues and is likely to be going through a severe depression.
Unfortunately, when depression becomes severe, the affected person often loses the ability to think logically and reasonably. Such persons may even develop false beliefs that they are worthless, that their life is doomed and that no amount of help would help resolve their problems. This negative and pessimistic attitude along with the lack of motivation or interest to do things (which again, is commonly seen in depression) leaves them in a state where they become incapacitated to do anything productive. My opinion is that your grandson is most likely in this state currently.
I'm not sure whether the "counsellor" that he was seen by had a chance to perform a proper mental state examination or not. As I had mentioned earlier, persons with severe depression come to believe (falsely) that they cannot be helped. So, often we see that they don't reveal or talk about their problems and may even refuse help.
In this scenario, my advise would be to for you to convince his mother to take him to a Psychiatrist, so that the correct diagnosis is made and the necessary help is provided. If needed, he can even be treated as an in-patient for a period of time till his symptoms come under reasonable control.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
How can we get him TO GO to a psychiatrist? He refuses and is no longer a minor. I wish like mad that he could be hospitalized. Is there any way that we can make this happen? He is convinced, as you write, that he is worthless, that nothing and no one can help him and wishes he did not wake up in the morning. Can we legally, in some way, get him hospitalized? I do not want him to lose his rights and be kept indefinitely but he does need help and the sooner the better.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Involuntary admission is the only option.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
In this situation, the only option would be to get an involuntary admission under the Mental Health Act. In most states, when a person is deemed to be in danger to himself or others, the person can be immediately admitted involuntarily in a hospital for an initial period of 48 - 72 hours. During this period, the person would be assessed thoroughly by 2 qualified psychiatrists to determine the next course of action. If he is deemed to be unwell and posing a danger to himself, the he / she can be involuntarily detailed for a period of treatment till the person is well enough.
You don't really have to worry thinking that he may be kept indefinitely or incarcerated. There will be periodic assessments by qualified mental health professionals and the patient would be discharged as soon as he is fit enough to continue treatment in the community. The patient also has ample rights to appeal at anytime during his detention which will be heard be a board of XXXXXXX mental health professionals, social workers, etc. So, gone are the days when someone is just 'dumped' in a mental hospital indefinitely. Nowadays, we have strict protocols and legislature which not only ensures safety of the patient but also protects the person's rights.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist
Involuntary admission is the only option.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
In this situation, the only option would be to get an involuntary admission under the Mental Health Act. In most states, when a person is deemed to be in danger to himself or others, the person can be immediately admitted involuntarily in a hospital for an initial period of 48 - 72 hours. During this period, the person would be assessed thoroughly by 2 qualified psychiatrists to determine the next course of action. If he is deemed to be unwell and posing a danger to himself, the he / she can be involuntarily detailed for a period of treatment till the person is well enough.
You don't really have to worry thinking that he may be kept indefinitely or incarcerated. There will be periodic assessments by qualified mental health professionals and the patient would be discharged as soon as he is fit enough to continue treatment in the community. The patient also has ample rights to appeal at anytime during his detention which will be heard be a board of XXXXXXX mental health professionals, social workers, etc. So, gone are the days when someone is just 'dumped' in a mental hospital indefinitely. Nowadays, we have strict protocols and legislature which not only ensures safety of the patient but also protects the person's rights.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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