The MHA assessment meeting concluded that the AMHP would leave it for the weekend to allow for baby boy’s christening. She would phone next week.
I spoke with her the following week and expressed my annoyance when she confirmed that the last meeting was a MHA assessment. I pleaded with her to not detain me. She explained her dilemma saying she was being pressured by the psychiatrists and the perinatal mental health lead to section me. She said she would be visiting again.
The second time this AMHP visited she had my care coordinator and another lady present. I felt deflated. I’m a private person and all these people felt like they were invading my privacy. The new lady turned out to be the AMHP Lead. The AMHP wanted a second opinion and a pair of fresh eyes on things. Husband took baby boy out for a walk and I was left outnumbered 3 against 1. After much discussion I reluctantly agreed I would take the medication as long as it meant I did not go into hospital.
Husband then arrived home and shared his opinion on the situation. He explained that when he came home from work he didn’t know what he would come home to find. They said he couldn’t live like that and discussion again ensued about what was best. I couldn’t make up my mind what I wanted to happen- hospital or not? The lead AMHP said she could make the decision for me. I ignored her. In the end I accepted going into hospital- thinking I could leave at any time. AMHP corrected this assumption but I was barely listening. If I wanted to leave I would I thought.
Psychologist and Patient 