Anyone been sectioned under the Mental Health Act?
I'm curious about what people experienced getting sectioned. Specifically, I'm curious about what happened after the section. Did you manage to find work? was it harder to find work? Were you obligated to tell people that you were sectioned? How did you deal with the discrimination?
I was sectioned when I was 17; I have rarely had to disclose, and usually only tell people I can trust or that would actually have any real reason to know, such as treating doctors and psychologists, and at one time when discussing disclosure with a GP was told to not mention it.
I would think - depending on where you are - laws would be there to protect you from any discrimination about that sort of thing.
I have had more personal turmoil when applying for employment or the like, and there is a section requesting whether you have ever been convicted of an offence. When I was in my late 20's a very difficult period which lead to my divorce, a poorly executed suicide attempt resulted in a drink driving charge. Therefore I always have to check with such forms, whether they really mean anything ever, or something with a jail term penalty; usually it's the latter, and I can just say no.
I recently had to declare the conviction on a licence renewal, which just asked if I had ever been suspended or disqualified from driving and when; I just noted the approximate time period, but was still able to get a discounted licence renewal as a safe driver, as the offence was more than ten years ago.
What I find is the stigma of being sectioned, as well as the stigma of having a minor criminal record can be enough to make things difficult for me; not by others doing anything, saying anything, or intentionally excluding me, but the shame, inner turmoil, stigma and unpleasant memories that come back when I have to fill in forms to declare such things.
As I say, I never came across anything that said specifically I had to declare being sectioned, but usually it's have you ever been admitted to a hospital for any reason.
I would say 99 times out of 100 they never check, and you could most likely get away with saying no.
It would be a breach of privacy laws under most circumstances for them to check anyway, unless you signed a waiver, and even then, the paperwork for them to check is usually enough to stop them unless they have any real concerns; in which case they wouldn't want to bother with you anyway.
I'd only bother declaring or discussing if I was sure I would have the support and understanding that would be appropriate.
Other than that, I'd say it's a judgement call; if asked decide whether you actually want to answer, or would rather deal with someone else who wouldn't ask, or who would listen to the reason rather than want a yes or no.
How do I deal with the discrimination; well my family - who were the ones that sent me to hospital basically decided this means I have a mental illness, and have never treated me the same since; it's always - "but he has a mental illness, he's not right in the head, he'll never amount to anything, or he can't be independent etc".
So I have nothing to do with them.
I've also come to the realization that my former misdiagnosis of Schizophrenia - which has been revoked was an indication more work SHOULD have been done to uncover my Asperger's - it seems quite common that a misdiagnosis in adolescence precedes a later diagnosis of being on the spectrum.
So far as work - my undiagnosed Asperger's has been much more of an impediment than any previous history of being sectioned.
I don't deal well with crowds - unless I have some sort of control of them, I am not particularly good at group work or discussion, I can't stand unexpected loud noises, incessant background noise, or overstimulation of any kind.
Most of my jobs have lasted for a year or less, one lasted for nearly two years, another for six, but the rest fell into the previous pattern.
I have difficulty dealing with change, with rules that don't make sense, or rules that we are supposed to follow, but use our discretion to skirt around - so bureaucratic public service work literally drives me nuts.
I also expect to face more discrimination if or when I declare my diagnosis of Asperger's - I'm getting diagnosed this week; though a diagnosis will mean I can used specialised employment services to help me find more suitable work.
I've experienced something similar here in the US - involuntary commitment and the 72-hour hold. Look, if you're good enough in your field, it's not going to be an issue unless you want to work in law enforcement. They'll look at your resume first. It's like anything else. It's like the old saying among women and people of color: you've gotta be twice as good and work twice as hard as the other guy to get half as far. But you'll get somewhere, nevertheless.
Thanks a lot for your contributions. I have always wondered how sectioning works and how it effects people in the long run. I find that often the stigma of hospitalization can really hold people back, despite the fact that such measures are there to improve the lives of the people that it's there for. I have lived with mental illness for most of my life, but fortunately have never been sectioned. I think most people try to avoid it as best as possible.
Sweetleaf
Veteran
Joined: 6 Jan 2011
Age: 36
Gender: Female
Posts: 35,278
Location: Somewhere in Colorado
That is depressing, work twice as hard for less than average...not sure that is a good concept to apply to life. I got put on a 72 hour hold but I wasn't exactly fighting it so I figured I was voluntary in the first place. Luckily I have no desire to ever work in that field.
_________________
Tis the time to melt the Ice.
| Similar Topics | |
|---|---|
|
Mental health crisis
in Bipolar, Tourettes, Schizophrenia, and other Psychological Conditions |
Yesterday, 6:58 pm |
