"May 2017: very distressing treatment"

In May 2017, during a period of worsening emotional distress, I was brought by ambulance to a&e at UCH in London. I was confused and very frightened, and I was trying to leave. The manner of the nurse who spoke with me was cold and condescending, which heightened my distress. They called security, and two men came and held me so that I could not get off the stretcher. I found this terrifying,  and I was quite beside myself with panic. This nurse said I had to sign something, which I did, and then they let me leave. I managed to find my way out (there was a security guard following me the whole time) and I walked straight out into the main road. I suffer from PTSD and the way I had been treated had triggered a huge post-traumatic reaction. I had very little understanding of what I was doing.

I am so lucky and grateful that a brave and kind passer-by dragged me out of the road and would not let go of me, and that she got the attention of nearby paramedics, who were so gentle and calm with me, doing everything they could to reassure me and help me to feel a bit safer. They spent a long time with me, and I greatly appreciate their kindness.

It is still painful and frightening for me to remember this, and that is why it has taken me so long to write what happened. But I am doing so because the way I was treated in a&e that day caused me such overwhelming distress that I almost came to great harm.

I would like all staff in a&e to know that it is vitally important to treat people with kindness, respect and understanding, but especially when someone is obviously very distressed, when compassion could make a critical difference.