Hi Maria,
My mom had a nervous breakdown about 3 weeks ago. She was writing on the walls of the rental house where she was living with my stepdad, and then she barricaded herself inside with their dog Jethro. Dad ended up calling 911 and the police had to break down the door so they could take her to the ER. She was involuntarily admitted to a private psychiatric hospital in ATX.
Mom refuses to have any contact with Dad because he's filed for divorce and she says that he tried to push her down the stairs in September. This is different from what she said before (that she fainted and fell down the stairs). She's now very mistrustful/fearful of my stepdad and his family (Aunt M, Aunt P, Uncle E, etc.).
Mom was court-ordered to remain in treatment until at least November 9th, for her own safety. Right now I'm fighting with the hospital because her inpatient mental health insurance ran out last week, and they want to discharge her although she's still suffering from mania. I don't want the hospital to simply "dump" her for financial reasons while she's in crisis and can't fend for herself.
Mom's unhappy about being hospitalized. She's been telling the staff that she can go to the home of her friend S. Which unfortunately isn't true because she hasn't talked to S in over 2 months; in fact, I learned that they had an argument the last time they spoke because S is stressed with caring for her husband who has Alzheimer's.
Since I work on a psychiatric unit here (in a state facility), I'm familiar with the public health system and I know it's essential for my mom to receive professional support and case management. Before she was hospitalized, Mom said that she wanted to leave the country and stay with her brother L. I'd like to help her with the move, but she needs to get well first.
I'm sure she would love to hear from you if you want to call her at the hospital. But *please* be careful about what you say to her or to the hospital staff (especially the social worker Annette). If Mom or Annette (the social worker) get the idea that she can come live with you, the hospital will use it as an an excuse to try and release her without establishing an appropriate discharge plan.
If you'd like to reach Mom, please call me so I can give you the hospital phone number and the access code you need to connect with her. I also got your voicemail but I'm not sure what your phone number is? Or if you email me your number, I will give you a call. Thanks again for being a loyal friend to my mom.
Love,
TNK
