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When Is Hospitalization Necessary For Bipolar Disorder?
Question: Hello, my 15 year old daughter is bipolar and also has ADHD, anxiety disorder, major depression and executive function disorder. She is adopted and was born at 31 weeks gestation, positive for cocaine, marijuana, alcohol and tobacco. Her mother was drinking and high when she arrived at the hospital for delivery. My daughter was born just 9 minutes after her biological mother arrived at the hospital, weighing 3.3 pounds.
Anyway, she has been on Geodon for her bipolar disorder for about a year. She recently has refused to take her medication because she doesn't like how it makes her feel. I was able to get her an appointment with her psychiatrist for this coming tuesday. The nurse told me not to worry at this point about her taking her medication since she has a lead been off it for weeks.
My question is, do you think they will need to hospitalized her to start her on a new medication? I would be ok with that but has already told me she will fight them if they try to hospitalized her. She only weighs 105 pounds but she is all muscle and very strong. I'm just trying to prepare myself for the possibility and what might happen on tuesday.
Shes neen hospitalized twice before and has also done 2 different partial hospitalization programs. Now that she is almost 16, she has got to start taking more responsibility for herself and her health care.
Thanks for your response and any other thoughts or concerns you think I should be aware of. Blessings, XXXXXXX
Anyway, she has been on Geodon for her bipolar disorder for about a year. She recently has refused to take her medication because she doesn't like how it makes her feel. I was able to get her an appointment with her psychiatrist for this coming tuesday. The nurse told me not to worry at this point about her taking her medication since she has a lead been off it for weeks.
My question is, do you think they will need to hospitalized her to start her on a new medication? I would be ok with that but has already told me she will fight them if they try to hospitalized her. She only weighs 105 pounds but she is all muscle and very strong. I'm just trying to prepare myself for the possibility and what might happen on tuesday.
Shes neen hospitalized twice before and has also done 2 different partial hospitalization programs. Now that she is almost 16, she has got to start taking more responsibility for herself and her health care.
Thanks for your response and any other thoughts or concerns you think I should be aware of. Blessings, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Generally it is preferred for psychiatric patients to be treated outside of the hospital when possible. There are several factors a doctor takes into account when he evaluates hospitalization such as:
- whether there are suicidal tendencies
- aggressive, violent behavior towards others
- a psychotic, disorganized, deteriorating state
- negative family environment or the situation being unbearable by family members
- drug or alcohol dependency, need for continuous monitoring
Generally if such factors are not present and since your daughter seems to have a caring family support, then hospitalization is preferably avoided. Of course that will depend on the psychiatrists assessment during the interview of her thoughts and likelihood of collaboration in accepting medication.
I see that she has been treated only with antipsychotics until now. Perhaps this time the use of a mood stabilizer such as an anticonvulsant or lithium will be considered as well.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Generally it is preferred for psychiatric patients to be treated outside of the hospital when possible. There are several factors a doctor takes into account when he evaluates hospitalization such as:
- whether there are suicidal tendencies
- aggressive, violent behavior towards others
- a psychotic, disorganized, deteriorating state
- negative family environment or the situation being unbearable by family members
- drug or alcohol dependency, need for continuous monitoring
Generally if such factors are not present and since your daughter seems to have a caring family support, then hospitalization is preferably avoided. Of course that will depend on the psychiatrists assessment during the interview of her thoughts and likelihood of collaboration in accepting medication.
I see that she has been treated only with antipsychotics until now. Perhaps this time the use of a mood stabilizer such as an anticonvulsant or lithium will be considered as well.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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