Unexpected mental deterioration

[mayB12]

I realise the forum is not geared for handing out professional advice. Some of my original intended post is now obsolete, because events have overtaken me while waiting for my forum membership to be approved.

 

My son was diagnosed with asperger traits at the age of 17. He received good counselling but once he reached 18 he was no longer eligible to receive it under the adolescent mental health services. He's just completed a physics degree at university, locally, and living at home with us, his parents.

 

However, since completing it last month (and passing), his mental health has deteriorated rapidly and we are very worried about him. He has lost his ability to focus on tasks; he has become terrified that we are going to abandon him. He has started to experience voices in his head that tell him bad things about himself, and on several nights he has wandered into our bedroom to ask the most mundane questions imaginable.....at 2 and 3 in the morning. He claims the voices are nagging him to do these things.

He has strange "missions" that must be completed and also vivid dreams that he mistakenly entangles with reality; to the extent that he fears our disappearance and his own abandonment. He has even suggested that he should go and live with "other people", who will come for him. It is like living with a four-year-old, yet he is a highly intelligent young man of 21.

 

We went through excruciating worries and problems when he was first diagnosed, but during the past few years he has adapted and started developing into a sharp-minded, intelligent and scientifically-focused individual, with immense aptitude for computer programming. These latest happenings have come as an immense shock to us all.

 

We are older parents in our 50's; but we don;t have all the answers. We are just trying to keep him busy at the moment, doing household tasks, things in the garden, anything to get his mind off "the voices" and other fears. He is not job-hunting, he isn't fit in mind anyway to even start. He is now being referred for help and we just have to wait for the appointment; but there isnt much help for us. We've hardly slept this past week. We just can't think what has brought all this on. I suspect a kind of schizophrenic condition but I'm not an expert.

 

Do others recognise these problems? and what is a likely outcome?

 

 

[Mumble]

He is now being referred for help and we just have to wait for the appointment; but there isn't much help for us.

I'm assuming it is the GP that has referred him? I suggest going back to the GP as an emergency appointment if necessary and explaining how things have deteriorated and ask that the referral be brought forward.

 

If things deteriorate further and/or you are at all concerned about his/your safety you can go to any A&E who will always have a duty psychiatrist available. This may seem a bit drastic, but if it's needed it will mean he/you get the help needed.

 

I hope you can get some support and begin to help him address this. I've been where he is and I know how terrifying it is. Things can get better but I'm not going to lie and say it's easy. It takes a lot of time, a lot of effort from everyone involved and needs the professionals and yourselves all working in the same direction.

 

[Suze]

Hazarding a guess I would say his degree has been a big part of his routine and his constant in life, he is now somewhat adrift and this has brought on the mental deterioration, I agree with mumble and would seek advice from your gp again about an emergency appt, best of luck, suzex

[mayB12]

Thank you for your replies. We'd been aware of the impending loss of university "structure" in his life and had been encouraging him to plan his own daily diary of things to do, including the ongoing improvement of his already highly capable computer skills. He was even thinking of setting up a website eventually and trying to sell a few of his ideas....wouldnt bring a fulltime income but of course one never knows where things lead. All these bright ideas are currently over-washed by all the depression. He is having good and bad days, but it is scary to see him so highly vulnerable and agitated.

Yes the GP referred him yesterday.....we just have to wait for an appointment now with the specialists....we spent 2005 and 2006 with him as an undiagnosed aspergers and that period was highly stressful; finally the diagnosis came in early 07; we'd not heard of it, but in time we got to grips with it and so did he. This latest is just so unexpected. We will have to just wait now for the ball to get rolling; fingers crossed.

[JsMum]

Hi I would write down all your concerns and cc it to his GP and Other relivant proffessionals he has access to and ask for it to be added to his medical file, this way it is a formal raised concern so there is evidence for the future, if you need it.

 

Keep a detailed diary of each hour and note concerning behaviours for the next few days, if in the mean time he is a risk to himself and others call for an ambalance and go straight to A+E and have a written letter ready of why you have brought him to hospital.

 

It actually may not be Scitzophrenia but your son is just not getting his needs met, and his mental health is effected, it could be that he is just completely anxious and depressed due to not getting the help he requires, the reason to be careful because if it is agreed he has scitzophrenia he will be placed on very powerful medication that may actuall make his AS needs be further unmet because there treating a possible misdiagnosed mental health disorder.

 

what I would ensure if it is agreed he needs a full assessment in a psychiatrict unit that is carried out in a specialist physchiatrict hospital with nurses that are trained in AS otherwise they may give him the wrong diagnosis.

 

Somewhere like this.

 

http://www.brookdalecare.co.uk/

 

I would closely monitor him, keep high supervision and just ensure he is safe and in the mean time request a full assessment of his mental health needs as well as his AS needs.

 

contact National Autistic Society for further support on your sons legal rights to access support in the community called social care needs.

 

Sorry you going throw a very distressing and difficult time.

 

JsMumx

Edited July 30, 2010 by JsMum

[Karen A]

Hi.

I certainly think it is worth going to your GP to request an urgent referral for a mental health assessment for your son.

Although it could well be that your son has become tired and stressed and just needs some rest there are other mental health conditions that can cause symptoms similar to the ones you describe.

 

There is no recognised link between AS and the conditions that come to mind.However it is possible that a person with AS could develop mental health difficulties unrelated to AS purely by cooincidence.Two Mental Health Conditions in particular are often picked up in people in thir late teens and early twenties.

So I think it is extremely important to obtain an urgent assessment rather than waiting to see if things settle down.

 

The fact that your son has been coping so well and that the deterioration is so marked suggests it is certainly worth ruling out any other causes of his present condition.

Karen.

Edited July 30, 2010 by Karen A

[Karen A]

Thank you for your replies. We'd been aware of the impending loss of university "structure" in his life and had been encouraging him to plan his own daily diary of things to do, including the ongoing improvement of his already highly capable computer skills. He was even thinking of setting up a website eventually and trying to sell a few of his ideas....wouldnt bring a fulltime income but of course one never knows where things lead. All these bright ideas are currently over-washed by all the depression. He is having good and bad days, but it is scary to see him so highly vulnerable and agitated.

Yes the GP referred him yesterday.....we just have to wait for an appointment now with the specialists....we spent 2005 and 2006 with him as an undiagnosed aspergers and that period was highly stressful; finally the diagnosis came in early 07; we'd not heard of it, but in time we got to grips with it and so did he. This latest is just so unexpected. We will have to just wait now for the ball to get rolling; fingers crossed.

 

Hi.

Any individual your son's age with the symptoms you describe should be fast tracked for an urgent mental health assessment.

The fact that your son has AS should not make any difference as to how quickly he is seen.

Assessment for possible major mental health problems should not be like assessment for AS which can take months.

I would think it would be reasonable to expect an appointment within days.

If you are sufficiently concerned over the weekend then do take your son to A and E.

All A and Es have access to a duty psychiatrist when needed.

 

http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=18801

The information and helplines here might be helpful if you have not spotted it.Rethink and mind in particular.

Karen.

Edited July 30, 2010 by Karen A

[mayB12]

Just been contacted today; he's having an assessment on Monday. Today he is pretty poorly; will say how things are going next week. Many Thanks for those links.

[JsMum]

Just been contacted today; he's having an assessment on Monday. Today he is pretty poorly; will say how things are going next week. Many Thanks for those links.

That is good news that he been assessed Monday, sorry to hear he is still poorly, I wish you the best with the assessments and that some support is available soon, if over the weekend you are worried just come back here and Im sure someone can help you throw it.

 

JsMumx

 

[Karen A]

Just been contacted today; he's having an assessment on Monday. Today he is pretty poorly; will say how things are going next week. Many Thanks for those links.

 

.Good that the assessment is Monday but sorry things are not so good today.

Karen.

Edited July 30, 2010 by Karen A

[mayB12]

That is good news that he been assessed Monday, sorry to hear he is still poorly, I wish you the best with the assessments and that some support is available soon, if over the weekend you are worried just come back here and Im sure someone can help you throw it.

 

JsMumx

 

Hi JsMum, I had a chuckle at your "howler", "someone can help you throw it", I am sure you meant "through it" but I guess we are all feeling like throwing things at the moment. Looking forward to getting through the weekend and onto Monday.

 

[Suze]

Glad he is being seen quickly, please let us know how you get on, best wishes suzex

[mayB12]

Yes...it is a psychosis. We now have professional help so just have to work it all through. Some days good, others bad, but I hope it will gradually clear for him.

[JsMum]

Yes...it is a psychosis. We now have professional help so just have to work it all through. Some days good, others bad, but I hope it will gradually clear for him.

 

Sorry to hear the outcome but relieved it is not Scitzophrenia, but Psychosis can still be a very scarey condition, but relieved that he is accessing vital treatment, and support and that you persivered to get him help. hugs to you,xxxx

 

JsMumx

 

[Karen A]

Yes...it is a psychosis. We now have professional help so just have to work it all through. Some days good, others bad, but I hope it will gradually clear for him.

 

 

Hi.

I have not been for a while and so just picked this up.

I am sorry that the news was not what you might have hoped but pleased you are obtaining professional help.I do hope that with treatment things continue to improve.

I was wondering about psychosis but was worried that I might worry you by posting.I am at least assured that I was not overreacting. <'>

Karen.