The feeling of powerlessness when being put on a treatment order and the treatments given can lead to anger and bitterness. But we are not powerless, as @Former-Member said, there are things we can do to help better our situations. As a caregiver I worked with the treating team, giving information, advocating in relation to prescribed medication with considered opinion. I can say there were times when the pdocs did not have thiings right.
Mr Darcy, my husband not only had the feelings of powerlessness of a treatment order but also that of experiencing mental health symptoms and the resultant permanent injury of an attempt which happened when he was unwell. But he too is not powerless, he has worked hard to do things to improve his life. I continue to advocate for Mr D (he is no longer on an order), he too has been able to reduce his meds. Keeping a mood chart is one tool we have used.
I have also learned I need to be open @prodius Mr D too is slowly reducing an antipsychotic (he remains on a mood stabiliser, not an anticonvulsant). While the prospect of a relapse scares me, I also strongly believe in the principle of the least restrictive treatment so will advocate for him as it is his desire to further reduce AP. He too is open and has agreed that if symptoms return as APs are discontinued that he will resume this treatment and we would look at seeing if he can get by without mood stabiliser.
Note: Mr D on his own admission finds medical things hard to understand and asked for my assistance in these matters.
