Sunday, February 1, 2009

I have decided to take control back and discharge myself from the CMHT. Here is my letter

Dear Dr M
I am writing to you to tell you I want to be discharged from your services. I feel it is time for me to go alone, to ride out whatever is going on and to take responsibility for the consequences.
I believe that once I leave the CMHT I will be well again. Whatever your intentions you are making me ill. All the drugs, the ones that are useless, and the ones you give me that sedate me. They take away things I can’t get back. Free thought, untroubled thought. I took an IQ test and scored much lower now. I think this is as a result of those meds. I think this may be what you wanted to make me an easier patient.
And you don’t want me to read my medical records because you don’t want me to find out what you really think. You say I am ill but you don’t explain why or how. Or maybe you don’t actually think I am ill. I don’t think I am, I may have been but am getting better.
And what happened on Thursday, how can I ever trust coming to an outpatient’s appointment again. You can’t accept that I am not ill, or that I can get well alone. I want to get well ALONE. That is the only way I will get better. Don’t you want that?
I don’t understand how you can think I am so ill that hospital is needed. The Crisis team can’t understand why I was referred to them and they tell me I am not detainable. They say I am completely rational and composed. What is it that you see in me that I can’t see? I just don’t know.
What I do know is the first step to getting on with my life will be to break free from the CMHT. Please can you make the arrangements for my discharge.

Thank you for trying to help me. I’m sure your intentions were good.

I feel a lot better now I have done this. Hopefully I can start to rebuild my life.

6 comments:

David said...

Dear La-reve,

Put the letter under your pillow and look at it tomorrow - you don't want to give them any crack or cranny to exploit. I know you are probably feeling angry - hell who wouldn't? I'm angry on your behalf too - but this sort of letter has to be just the right sort of calm, collected and above all neutral letter - take out the personal stuff - and justify your assertions as best as you can. Give the Crisis team's assessment more weight - mention it earlier.

Sorry, I hate giving forthright advice, but for better or worse I suppose I'm looking out for you.

If you want any help with drafting, then I'll be happy to help. I'm out tomorrow, but will be home in the evening.

Take care, David

La-reve said...

Thanks David
Was determined to hand this in at 9a.m but perhaps you are right. I just don't know what to do for the best. Don't want a repeat of thursday.

David said...

Hi Lareve, just popping in to say hope you're ok. Take care, D

That's not my name! said...

Hugs x

Anonymous said...

I'm not the best person to advise on how to handle to CMHT, not after toda. All I can offer is a hug, friend and virtual cuppa. Sorry it's not much x

Nick said...

Hope you're ok Lareve