"Over medicated, not treated"

I was taken into hellesdon hospital and for the most part my memory is awfully patchy. However, I am writing this on behalf of my family and friends as they didn't want to all. Bombarded the site with bad reviews. They wanted it to be fair.

Despite being under a section 2, my family had barely any involvement in my care. They were not informed what was happening or decisions that had been made.

I must thank the staff for keeping me alive during that time, however, being far too over medicated was not fixing the problem, only trying to sedate it. During my 6weeks at the hospital before being transfered to care in Wales, I received no treatment other than medication. I was deemed suitable for any of the groups that were being conducted. I understand that may have been true and fair to all patients, however, being left in a hospital without treatment, but only being medicated with medication that was not fixing the problem wasn't useful for me. As soon as my care was transfered I received proper assessment, a care plan was put in place and treatment followed. There was support and hope. But during my time at hellesdon on this occasion and previous inpatient admissions, there was none of that.

That may be slightly unfair. The admissions ward was very supportive. They spoke to me. No one ever explained my diagnosis and it was deemed detrimental and I can understand why, but no one explained to my family either. The staff on admissions tried to talk to me as a person, keep me busy or be there and find ways for me to communicate when I was very distressed as talking out loud becomes a major issue at those times.

But from I transfered wards, there was none of that. I understand staff may have been stressed, overworked and understaffed, however, everyone's care was suffering. When I get very unwell at times my only viable form of communication is through writing despite all my attempts to articulate. However, this was not even an option to indicate to staff I was in high levels of distress. Not being able to communicate this to get the appropriate medical or psychological help led to a downward spiral and rapid decline in my mental health, leading to many incidents on the ward (never including anyone else may I add. Just risk to myself)

However I am ever so grateful for them intervening during those incidents and keeping me alive despite being so angry at them discovering my secret attempts at the time. That being said, I feel as though the hospital. Could benefit greatly from hospitals paving the way for outstanding mental health inpatient AND outpatient support and treatment. I would love to discuss this in detail if ever possible. I've experienced care in different regions and I feel as though I could now give balanced and useful informational input.