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Mental illness in a sibling - what to do?

  • 18-06-2008 11:13am
    #1
    bullpost
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,244 ✭✭✭


    A friend of mine is worried about his sister. Over the last few years her behaviour has become increasing odd. She seems detached from reality. I've met her once and it's immediately noticable. The parents are deceased and he and her other siblings want to get her some treatment. She refuses point blank to admit to a problem and to voluntarily do anything about it.
    Does anyone know what the options available to them are - for example can they get her sectioned etc?


Comments

  • #2
    sam34
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,073 ✭✭✭sam34


    hi op

    probably a good starting point would be for your friend to speak to a gp. "odd behaviour" and "detatched from reality" are vague enough terms, so he needs to speak to a doctor and elaborate on what the girls problems are.

    the law on certifying (or sectioning) someone are- they have to be a danger to themselves or others, because of a mental illness (ie if they are a danger to others because for eg theyre drunk, they cant be certified) OR they have to be suffering from a mental illness, requiring treatment, which can only be given in hospital (ie patient would not take meds if at home) AND treatment is expected to benefit them/they will likely deteriorate without treatment.

    they are the legal requirements.

    practically speaking, your friend has to speak to a gp. then, the family , one member, signs a form (can be goten from the gp) which is known as an application. gp then has to see the patient, and if gp feels the above criteria apply, he then signs another form, the recommendation. at that stage the patient has to be brought to a psychiatric ward, where he/she will be assessed by a psychiatrist, and if appropriate the psychiatrist will sign an admission order, which completes the certification process.

    these are the legal and practical issues. however, its impossible for me to make a call on whether your friends sister would actually be certifiable, so as ive said, a chat with a gp is the first step.


  • #3
    sam34
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,073 ✭✭✭sam34


    also, one the gp gets the application, they are legally obliged to see the patient within 7 days, so if she wont go to gp, then gp has to go to her


  • #4
    bullpost
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,244 ✭✭✭bullpost


    Hi,
    Thanks for your replies. That makes it very clear. At least now the family can decide whether they want to go ahead with this.


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