She's been off her meds for a week and she can't stop fucking crying. She doesn't want to go to the hospital.

Seriously, I have to stress: holy shit. I do not know what to do to help her.

  • Norm_Chumpsky [he/him]
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    4 years ago

    That really sucks, sorry you're going through that. If she has any other supportive friends/family that you can reach out to and let them know what's going on, that might be the best you can do for now. I've had mental health crises in the past, and having everyone I know telling me I need help was more effective than one or two people. Beyond that, the only other option would be to try to get her on an involuntary psychiatric hold. Unfortunately, if you live in the US, there is a strong possibility if you call for an ambulance the will also send the cops because we live in a fucked hellworld where the police are the only "social service." Good luck.

    • Orannis62 [ze/hir]
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      4 years ago

      They almost certainly will send the cops for psychiatric episodes, unfortunately. That doesn't mean don't call, but be aware of that fact.

      It's tricky. If someone is overdosing, stabbed, or shot, there are things you can say that will make sure the EMTs are prepared but will not force them to send cops. For a psychiatric episode, though, I don't know what you could say that would meet both those needs.

  • c6cain6jih6d [she/her]
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    4 years ago

    LOL AND MY FUCKING BOSS IS LATE AGAIN. I TOLD MY FRIEND I'D BE OFF AT 7:30.

  • LibsEatPoop2 [he/him]
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    4 years ago

    The most important thing for you to do is to get her on the meds again. If you can't, then see if someone else can. If the situation is bad enough to warrant the hospital, then go ahead (but I don't know the financial situation to say if that is a good idea or not).

    I can tell you my extremely subjective advice, if you think it'll help. So, I have a very bad habit of going off my meds. Every time I'm off them, I don't want to take them again. So, for me, it's always been helpful to have someone I trust and love to tell me what I'm doing is harmful to both myself and to those who care about me. That mostly works because I never want to hurt them, and I know deep down that the meds help. But sometimes I'm too far gone for that to be effective. In that case, seeing them be sad and hurt always makes me kick my self-loathing to the curb enough to get on the meds again. But I know people for whom even that doesn't work.

    It is really hard to care for someone who doesn't care about themselves (or tries really hard to convince themselves they don't). It takes a lot of patience and emotional resilience and time and effort and no person should have to do that alone. I don't know what your relationship is, but it might be a good idea to have other people (she trusts/loves) around to help.

  • Doomer [comrade/them,any]
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    4 years ago

    Try to get her back on her meds. Depending on what kind of med she takes she might have to be back on them for a few days before they take effect. Make her something to eat. Contact her family if you think that will help.

    If you think she is going to hurt herself call 911 right away. That is assuming you live in the US. Tell them she's having a mental health emergency.

    I have had a lot of experience with this sort of thing. It's okay to worry about them and be there for them, but make sure you're okay too. Be safe.