Meds necessary for inpatient care?

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

Hello. I am an RN student. I was wondering if anyone can tell me if it's absolutely necessary for people who are inpatient for suicidal ideation/attempt and depression to be put on long term meds(such as antidepressants) in order for insurance to pay for inpatient services? I heard someone say that before, but what if the patient wants/needs help but is against taking psych meds? I am asking because someone close to me is dealing with these problems and really needs to be admitted for her own safety but is currently against going in to a facility because she thinks they're going to "drug her up" and make her take antidepressants. She currently takes xanax for anxiety, which she is OK with, but doesn't want any antidepressants. If anyone could help me out here I would appreciate it. I would love to be able to tell her that she won't have to take meds in order to get the help she needs. Thanks!

Thanks for the update -- I had been thinking of you and your family, and checking back with this thread now and again to see if there was any new info. I'm glad to hear things are going ok with you mom so far. Best wishes.

Despite the fact that my mother was seeking help for the first time in years, and in contact with a crisis team, and had an appt. with a psychiatrist, she did end up committing suicide 2 weeks ago. I want to thank everyone for their time listening to me and trying to help. I wish now I had done more, and had not been so emotionally conflicited about what to do in the situation I was in. She told me that she had told the crisis person about the OD a few weeks prior and about her ideation. They apparently didn't think she was in immediate danger or needed any inpatient care. I don't know what she really told them . She might have just been telling me what I wanted to hear. I did call the local hospital after I found out about the OD (next day) but they said they wouldn't send anyone out to the house at that time. Maybe I should've called the police. She told me she would hang on. I guess when someone is so chronically suicidal, you get this feeling that they won't really ever do it. Or you tell yourself that because you can't live every second scared to death. She talked about it all the time for years. Maybe if I lived closer and could have seen what was really going on, I could have done more. Anyway, just wanted to update this thread and thank everyone again.

Despite the fact that my mother was seeking help for the first time in years, and in contact with a crisis team, and had an appt. with a psychiatrist, she did end up committing suicide 2 weeks ago. I want to thank everyone for their time listening to me and trying to help. I wish now I had done more, and had not been so emotionally conflicited about what to do in the situation I was in. She told me that she had told the crisis person about the OD a few weeks prior and about her ideation. They apparently didn't think she was in immediate danger or needed any inpatient care. I don't know what she really told them . She might have just been telling me what I wanted to hear. I did call the local hospital after I found out about the OD (next day) but they said they wouldn't send anyone out to the house at that time. Maybe I should've called the police. She told me she would hang on. I guess when someone is so chronically suicidal, you get this feeling that they won't really ever do it. Or you tell yourself that because you can't live every second scared to death. She talked about it all the time for years. Maybe if I lived closer and could have seen what was really going on, I could have done more. Anyway, just wanted to update this thread and thank everyone again.

I'm so sorry about the loss of your mother. Although I don't imagine you feel this way now, I hope eventually that you will arrive at a place where you won't feel always beset by the "what if I did this..." regrets, and appreciate yourself for how much support you offered your mother and how the rest of the work on her journey of recovery was for her and her clinicians to work on together.

As you may know there are support groups for family members and friends of people who have committed suicide. I don't know where you live, but I bet you could locate one by either doing a websearch, calling a suicide prevention line, or contacting a local or national organization for depression or a professional association for counselors or psychologists in your state. Take good care of yourself in every way at this extremely difficult time.

I did find the following websites which offer on-line support information and e-mail and/or postings/discussion board support for survivors of suicide by survivors of suicide (fam mems/friends, etc):

http://www.heartbeatsurvivorsaftersuicide.org (this has list also of support groups in some states)

http://www.friendsandfamiliesofsuicide.com

http://www.1000deaths.com

http://www.suicidology.org/www.suicideddiscussionboard.com

I'm so sorry about the loss of your mother. Although I don't imagine you feel this way now, I hope eventually that you will arrive at a place where you won't feel always beset by the "what if I did this..." regrets, and appreciate yourself for how much support you offered your mother and how the rest of the work on her journey of recovery was for her and her clinicians to work on together.

As you may know there are support groups for family members and friends of people who have committed suicide. I don't know where you live, but I bet you could locate one by either doing a websearch, calling a suicide prevention line, or contacting a local or national organization for depression or a professional association for counselors or psychologists in your state. Take good care of yourself in every way at this extremely difficult time.

I did find the following websites which offer on-line support information and e-mail and/or postings/discussion board support for survivors of suicide by survivors of suicide (fam mems/friends, etc):

http://www.heartbeatsurvivorsaftersuicide.org (this has list also of support groups in some states)

http://www.friendsandfamiliesofsuicide.com

http://www.1000deaths.com

http://www.suicidology.org/www.suicideddiscussionboard.com

I too am so sorry. I agree with all the above.-PSYCHaprn

Thank you everybody. I will definitely check out those websites. I just had an appt. with a counselor. She stood me up. I had my appt. card (that she filled out) with me but noone could find her after I already had been waiting 50 minutes. Sort of frustrating, but anyway thanks again, I appreciate the support.

I feel I should have found this thread earlier.. as I was reading this I thought omg I've got to reply to this asap... and then as I read I find the tragic news your mother completed suicided. I cannot express my sorrow enough at your loss, and CAG12345 is right dont knock yourself about with 'what ifs?' it is quite common for people in your situation to be torn with loyalty to a family member and concern over their safety. In the circumstances I think you did all that could be expected of you, please try and look after your own wellbeing now.

Of course it also makes me angry... not at you stuRN6.. Not only has someone else tragically prematurely ended their life, but the level of awareness of suicide risks/behaviours in the community still means many people go on suffering alone... where are the advertisments in the papers and on TV, where are the educational courses freely available to anyone... why would I think this is a reasonable request?

Well in the state of NSW, Australia where I live and work we are regularily bombarded by adverts telling us to drive safely... watch your speed, don't drink or drive.. etc... what very few people realise is that getting on for twice the number of people suicide in this state yearly than die in motor vehicle accidents... I dont know the figures in the US but anyone else see the inequity?

regards StuPer

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