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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assault and 1x ABH) for attacking the 3 people who forcibly injected the medication (at the moment the restraint was withdrawn).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



Parents

  • 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

Reply

  • 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

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