Hearing voices

[Jayjay23]

So my partner in hearing voices and I wonder how I can get her sectioned if you need to go hospital advise me please

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Jayjay23

Welcome to the forum and thank you for reaching out for help on behalf of your partner. Are you in the UK?

I’m so sorry that your partner is hearing voices which must also be very distressing for you. I had Postpartum Psychosis many years ago and was sectioned due to an incident spiralling out of control when I was waiting for a psychiatrist to visit.

At the time I was suffering delusions, hallucinations and hearing a commanding voice, all of which were very frightening to me at the time. If you are in the UK the NHS 111 service will be able to advise you. Also there is usually a mental health crisis team at the local hospital if your partner is willing to go for an assessment and help.

The Mind charity has a link to support for hearing voices at mind.org.uk/ which might be helpful.

Take care, I hope you also have support for yourself. We are here to lean on.

[Ellie_at_APP Partner]

Dear jayjay23 I’m glad you’ve found us and reached out. I’m Ellie, I’m one of APP’s national peer support coordinators and had postpartum psychosis myself in 2011.

I’m sorry to hear you are worried about your partner. Has she had a baby recently?

Information about how to get help is on our website here, which I hope will guide you about what to do:

app-network.org/what-is-pp/...

The most important thing to say is if you are really worried about your partners safety you need to ring 999 , or take her to A&E if she would agree.

Thinking of you and hoping you can get your partner the help she needs.

Ellie

[Naomi_at_app Volunteer]

Hi Jayjay23

Naomi here from APP. I'm just checking in today to see how things are going for you and your partner?

It can be such a scary experience for dads when a new mum's mental health is suffering and I'm really glad you have reached out to us with your concerns.

As both Lilybeth and Ellie have said, please don't struggle on alone - the guidance for PP suggests that a mum should be assessed within 4 hours of symptoms being picked up, and admitted to hospital the same day if a diagnosis of PP is made.

You are not alone - health professionals are there to help so don't feel any hesitation about calling 111, your GP or 999 if you are extremely concerned.

If your partner needs to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act - this only needs to happen if she would not agree to go into hospital. The process is that 2 mental health professional called AMHPs (Approved Mental Health Professionals) would assess her and arrange for immediate admission to hospital if she needs to be sectioned.

Thinking of you very much at this worrying time - I hope you have been able to get some help and advice. We are here at APP to support you for as long as you need us.

All the best

Naomi

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Jayjay23

It’s been a week since your post and I hope you have found the support and links here helpful.

I hope your partner is by now receiving the help she needs and you also have support for yourself. Sorry to disturb you at such a stressful time. Take care.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Jayjay23

I hope your partner is receiving the best care to manage the voices she was hearing when you posted recently. Take care.