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20 year old son in psychiatric unit facing criminal charges

Purdy2000

I am in desperate need of advice. My son (20) is being detained under section 3 of the mental health act. He was suffering from paranoia / psychosis, believed to have been caused by heavy cannabis use since age 15. He has recently been diagnosed with ASD/Aspergers and believes that antipsychotics will damage his brain permanently. He has spent 10 days in seclusion and now is facing 3 criminal assault charges (2x common assault and 1x ABH) for attacking the 3 people who forcibly injected the medication (at the moment the restraint was withdrawn). For the last 3 weeks he has had no further medication, but the dr wants to medicate, saying that the paranoia is still there. I disagree with this, and believe that what is being described as paranoia can easily be explained by entrenched black and white thinking caused by ASD.  Can I prove this somehow?My son has said he will attack again if he's given medication. At this rate he will come out of hospital with a long string of convictions. How can this progress? Is ASD a defence? Does the hospital have a duty to stop him being able to attack given the high risk of him doing so? He is so stressed and anxious, which is making everything so much worse.

This is my first question on this forum/website, as although I have known for ages that A had ASD, he has not wanted a diagnosis. It's only since he's been in hospital that I have managed to make this happen (since the assaults and time in seclusion).

Any advice would be very much appreciated. It feels like my world has collapsed. Thank you



  • I disagree his paranoia is just Autism. Psychosis symptoms take a few weeks to abate after medication is started. One dose of a neuroleptic will not "cure" him. Being someone who has suffered both psychotic symptoms and autism, I can tell you psychosis also produces very rigid thinking and psychiatrists can tell the difference. What will really help him is enforced medication and then voluntary medication once he is able to think rationally. He will be on anti psychotics for years before they consider taking him off of it. He will gain a lot of weight so send him to the gym and teach him how to cook healthily, after the worst of the psychosis is over. Autism wouldn't produce such violent reactions. If he is prescribed risperidone this will help both the psychosis and autism at the same time, but he will be drowsy and lose all his energy, this cant be helped, very common side effect of all anti psychotics apart from Aripiprazole, but that is the weakest anti psychotic and is far too expensive for the NHS to consider giving to too many people. £5 for 30 days of risperidone compared to £100 for aripiprazole, but I doubt he'd get that as its a lot weaker.

  • Yes, thanks. My son was given a solicitor when he was taken from the hospital to the police station. However, he is refusing to accept the ASD diagnosis (which I think could be used in his defence), and may well instruct the solicitor not to mention this. Have only just learnt that he will be in court on Monday, so will call the solicitor and ask for advice.

  • Thanks for your replies. I have looked at the Mind website - yes, the information is helpful. 

    I don't want to appeal the section at the moment, as although I feel the treatment is wrong, I know he does need help (probably CBT or some kind of talking psychological therapy which would address the weird and rigid thoughts/beliefs), and he would certainly use cannabis again if he were to be discharged. There was a mental health advocate at the ward review on Friday, who was really helpful, but it hadn't occurred to me to ask for help from him to get alternative treatment. I will do so. Thanks for your support.

  • If you look at mind.org.uk.  They have information on drug abuse, psychosis, and antipychosis drugs.  

  • Hello Purdy2000,

    So sorry to read what your Son & yourself are going through.

    Did they give you a leaflet telling you your Sons rights ?

    please look at rethink.org Under Mental Health Act 1983-Sections 2,34,5.  Go to section 3

    He is entitled to ask for an independent Mental Health Advocate.  

    He can also appeal against detention to a Tribunal once during the first six months.

    You need to explain to him if he attacks the staff.  This could lead to him being detained longer.  

    If you feel he isn't still suffering from paranoia,  but needs a different kind of support like for drug addiction or some support for his Asd eg.  Getting a Mental Health Advocate for him maybe the route to take.

    Please when attending meetings with health professionals try to attend with a family member or close friend.  So you are supported to.

    Mind is also a good website were you maybe able to access iinfo on where to get an advocate.

    I hope this helps

    Star