<p>My daughter has only 2 weeks left this semester and she just had a psychotic break. We took her to the ER and had a Psychiatric Emergency service evaluation. She is 22 so it is hard to make her sign in against her will...as she was deemed not a danger to herself or others. She is paranoid and we had a hard time getting her to take the first pill today. </p>
<p>What I need now is to find how to proceed with her college and who should I contact to try to salvage her education until she gets better. This is her 4 the year and only 2 weeks away from the end of the semester. She will have another final semester of teaching in the fall as her clinical practice stage before final graduation.</p>
<p>I did not want to push the involuntary commitment as it may affect the rest of her life as it pertains to teaching or working with children. So we are trying medications with parental and outpatient psychiatric supervision.</p>
<p>I know she can not go back on Monday morning to finish the last 2 weeks. What I need is advice from someone who has gone through this and was able to salvage a semester of education using a behavioral health argument. Is there a process in place when this happens? I hear its common to have a psychotic break in college....I dont know who to call on Monday. Professor ? THe Dean? The health clinic on campus? I need her to have confidentiality as well to avoid that label and stigma for the rest of her life.</p>
<p>Please help me salvage all of her hard work!</p>
<p>In most cases it’s prudent to have a college student handle their issues with their school on their own. In this case, however, your daughter doesn’t seem to be in a position to do that, so you’re more than justified in wanting to get involved with the school.</p>
<p>Find out who her advisor is and tell him/her that your daughter is experiencing serious, medically-documented difficulties which render her unable to complete her classes or advocate on her own behalf for her academic success. Advisors are trained on how to handle these situations. </p>
<p>Insist that the advisor act with all possible haste in making your daughter’s professors aware of what’s going on and finding out what she’d have to do and when she’d have to do it in order to complete her studies. If the advisor or any of the professors are unhelpful or unreasonable, don’t hesitate to take it up with a Dean of Student Affairs. Your daughter might have to repeat her final semester, but the college does have a vested interest in getting a degree to a student who they have invested so many resources in. </p>
<p>Also, carefully go over any loan or financial aid documents you or your daughter signed. I believe some (important) loans become payable 6 months after the student ceases being enrolled in classes. I don’t know what measures you’d take to work out the loan stuff, but just be aware of it so it doesn’t blindside your family or your daughter during such a sensitive time.</p>
<p>Best hopes and wishes that your daughter will recover and that your family will keep strong.</p>
<p>I can’t give you advice on how to salvage her college completion. But as someone who lost a family member during a psychotic break, you should think long and hard about avoiding involuntary commitment to avoid the stigma. The stigma beats some of the consequences that can occur if the condition is not properly diagnosed and treated. Also, the problem with the “not a threat to herself or others” is that it usually means that nothing has happened yet… not that it could not happen. The threshhold is pretty high for involuntary commitment. You may end up kicking yourself down the road for not having pushed for it while you had her in an ER – in the future if things get worse, you may have trouble even getting her back in for an evaluation.</p>
<p>Also, unless your daughter is willing to diligently follow a medication/treatment regime, it is unfair and possibly unsafe for her to be teaching in a classroom, supervising other people’s children (it sounded like from your post that this is her career plan). If you are having trouble getting her to take meds her first day and trouble getting her to accept that she has a problem, she really shouldn’t be considering that for now. As difficult as it is to hear, “until she gets better” assumes she will get better. That is not always the case with this type of mental health breakdown. Although medication and other treatments can help, often these conditions are lifelong. I know this is a huge challenge for a family, and can have a profound impact on the affected family member’s ability to follow a planned education and career path. But it is very important for you to carefully consider her safety and the safety of those around her as you consider your options. Don’t let the stigma issue keep you from taking whatever action you can to keep her and others safe.</p>
<p>That said, if it were my kid I would call the Dean of her program to discuss a medical withdrawal for the semester. Not a specific professor or the health services.</p>
<p>The Dean of Student Life is who you should contact. Send an email (you can find it on the web) with an attention grabbing title. When I did this once, the Dean emailed me back very early on monday morning and we were able to get on the phone with her first thing that morning. The Dean has all the resources available to mobilize including letting professors know that she will be out.</p>
<p>There are also emergency counseling contacts who should be on call. You can get a hold of that person and start the ball rolling over the weekend.</p>
<p>It is <em>not</em> common for students to have a psychotic break. It <em>is</em> common for schizophrenia to manifests itself in early adulthood but that does not make it a common occurrence. Your focus needs to be on getting the best and most effective care, not on finishing the semester. Schizophrenia can be difficult to treat so I would focus on getting her better as your first and only priority at this point. School and future plans will all have to wait and will depend on her progress which is very unpredictable at this point.</p>
<p>Many years ago while an undergrad at the University of Washington I has a health issue at the end of the quarter. My professors were willing to give me an incomplete in my classes and I was able to take my finals and turn my final papers in later. Because this is a new situation and you are likely uncertain if it will be long term or shorter, there may be an option short of a withdrawal until you get your bearings. If my memory serves, I had until the end of the following quarter to finish the work to change the incomplete to a grade. As others have said, the Dean of Students could direct you towards the best short and long term choices.</p>
<p>I’m so sorry, Joules. This must be terrifying.</p>
<p>I agree with intparent and ihs76. The only thing that’s important right now is her health. I understand your thought process – you don’t want to do something in the panic of an emergency that will affect the rest of her life if you can avoid it. But this is too serious; trying to find a way around the mental health system when someone is psychotic is downright dangerous.</p>
<p>Is there a family history of schizophrenia or other mental illness?</p>
<p>I am so sorry to hear of your situation. Obviously the first priority is helping your daughter get healthy.</p>
<p>Most schools will allow a student to withdraw from their classes without penalty if they have a note from a doctor. It would likely show up as a “W” for the semester. You would need to speak with the guidance counselor/academic advisor as to how to do this. </p>
<p>Most colleges will allow a student in this circumstance to take a leave of absence. It will take another doctor’s note to readmit her. </p>
<p>You will find many stories similar to yours on these pages. The endings are often positive, though it does take time. Best wishes to you.</p>
<p>I think the answers here have been good - especially contacting dean of students. Parent should eventually try to learn what might have set this off and ask if drugs were involved. You won’t know anything until you can do a complete medical and psych evaluation. I would say as little as possible to the school until you can do that - should be enough to say she is unable to finish semester and ask what can be done. At this point I’d assume incompletes or medical withdrawal. Good luck.</p>
<p>Dear Joules,
I am so sorry you are traveling this particular journey, one in which there typically is no clear path. As an attorney who encounters occasional mental health issues, I’d like to add my thoughts based on MH Law as it’s practiced in Illinois. A psychotic break is not necessarily due to schizophrenia. As you explore meds,ask your doc if any of the meds can be injected. In Il., the mental health court can order forced meds; the easiest way to do this is using an injection ( a once per month injection). Of course, not all conditions can be treated that way. MH law is established on a state by state basis.
In Il, we have a power of attorney for mental health treatment which allows the patient to designate an agent to take the action detailed in the POA document, such as forced meds, when the patient is not able to act on his/her own behalf. This is an issue that can only be broached when your D is in more stable condition. I suggest you research the mental health support groups in your state for resources. NAMI (Nat’l Assoc. Mental Illness) is an advocacy group with national HQ and state and local chapters. You will need a support group and the resources it can offer. Among other issues, you should discuss the options for commitment that are available in your state. In Il. a family can directly ask the State’s Attorney to file a commitment action–it’s not easy, but it can be done. I wish you all well. Meds can work miracles when the patient can be gotten to take them.</p>
<p>Joules,
So sorry–my heart goes out to you. I am a forensic psychologist with 20 years experience with severe mental illness. Psychotic breaks are not common. Paranoia, especially in 22 year olds, may be caused by many things: substance abuse, bipolar disorder/mania, schizophrenia, severe depression, severe personality disorder compounded by stress-related triggers. Psychosis can result from any one of these, or several in combination. More rarely, some underlying cause such as a metabolic or other medical condition can result in psychosis. </p>
<p>This could be something extremely serious and life-limiting or, given her young age and unknowns factors, a transitory (though still
extremely serious) condition. ‘Psychotic break’ is a descriptive, generic term–like ‘chest pain’ or ‘abdominal mass.’ It conveys little information and says nothing about prognosis. What specific diagnosis was your daughter given? Please ask your daughter’s provider. I understand your concern with preserving her school status, but the
more important thing is ensuring that she is safe and identifying the
problem and needed treatment.
Best wishes.</p>
<p>I have no experience with this situation and consequently no advice, but I wish you and your daughter the best. She is very lucky she has you to look out for her.</p>
<p>Sorry for your daughter’s troubles. At this point, it may make sense to contact the dean, explain that your daughter has a serious health issue and will be unable to complete the semester. Ask what her options are so that she can ultimately receive credit for the classes if she completes the work, receiving “incompletes” for now. Incompletes have a specific time frame associated with when they must be done; given uncertainty try to get that due date pushed out as far as possible, while hoping she will be able to do the work sooner. There is a small chance that in a class or two, enough work has been completed up to this point that a professor will choose to give a grade.
As a mental health professional, I would echo the concerns of others about the seriousness of this acute phase. Injectable medication may help if it is effective and long-lasting, but someone who is both actively psychotic and paranoid needs to be monitored closely all the time. Judgement is impaired and dangerous events can occur. Is it realistic for someone to be with her for a few weeks until the efficacy of the meds can be assessed? Is she cooperative with family members? Are you sure she is really swallowing her meds? You are on the front lines of a serious illness. If this were not a mental illness you probably would not even consider managing it at home. I am so sorry that you have to face this; your daughter is lucky to have your support. Think carefully about inpatient treatment options and recognize this time as a huge opportunity to get a diagnosis, treatment plan and appropriate supports in place so that there is as strong a foundation as possible going forward.</p>
<p>I understand what you are going through. This time two years ago we were in a similar position. When meeting with the dean we were given two possible solutions. If my son thought he could finish the semester but just needed a extra time ( a couple of weeks or so) he could get an extension and complete the semester just a little later than everyone else with the grades he earned. This was not the solution for him. He took medical withdrawal, all “W’s” on the transcript. He was home all summer and went back for the fall semester. Let’s just say that was probably too early. We had the doctor approval etc. But he churned through it. He is now one semester from graduation and doing great but it has been a long road. Make sure you investigate what accommodations might be available when she returns. Extra time for tests, testing in another location etc. The counseling and physch. services dept at his school has been fantastic as well as continued support from local doctors. The first think you must do now is to call/meet with the dean right away since the semester is quickly coming to a close. This was the one time it was necessary for us to be with him when meeting with the dean because he was in no position at to advocate for himself. I know this is an extremely difficult time but I think you will find the school understands these situations and will work with her to find the best solution.</p>
<p>I am so sorry Joules. The advise you have been given here is wonderful. I really have nothing I can add, but wanted you to know that I feel for you and will be praying for your daughter and your family. I also just want to thank the posters who took their time to give you their sound advise. That is exactly what this discussion forum is for. Too often i see criticism. I am so happy to see all the supportive posts. Hugs to you!</p>
<p>I have no advice but just wanted to offer you my thoughts and prayers for your daughter. Someday (soon I hope) you will look back on this as a very difficult time, but one that you got through.</p>
<p>The most important thing right now is your daughter’s health. Please don’t worry so much about stigma or classes. Yes, contact the dean of students, but if you have troubles getting it all done right now, you will be able to get a medical withdrawal even after the fact, with a doctor’s note. So, even if she gets all F’s, later that can be changed to W’s. The more important thing is your daughter’s treatment. It may take a great deal of time to find the right medications, and for your D to be compliant. Try not to project your concerns regarding " avoid that label and stigma for the rest of her life" onto your D, because that will negatively impact her ability to accept her situation. This is way more common than you might imagine.
Please PM me if you’d like more feedback.
As far as whom to contact, start with the Dean of Students, then he or she may take care of contacting the professors, but if you have to, do it if you have the time.
You will both get through this.</p>
<p>This is a medical situation, just as she might have had a heart attack or a cancer diagnosis, and you should try to get a medical leave for her. Talk to the Dean of students on what has to be done. In some cases, it does not have to be stipulated what her medical condition is, just that she needs treatment now, and you and she can them put school way on the back burner and focus solely on this crisis.</p>
<p>Once she is ready to look at the school situation, it should be done in conjuncition with a counselor. I’ve, unfortunately seen too many families and students too focused on the school end of things and trying to salvage that situation instead of working with the more serious elements of mental illness. It is a real danger and problem just as any physical life threatening condition is, but is too often not considered that way.</p>
<p>I endorse posts #7 and #8 (I posted something about this last night, but my post is gone this morning). Focusing on your daughter’s health is most important, more important than any perception of others (including employers) about what treatment options you need to pursue.</p>
<p>I am in a similar situation - my child came home after less than one semester at college, with crippling anxiety, depression, and severe headaches. It is heartbreaking to see such a promising young life derailed. </p>
<p>I would recommend that you concentrate first on getting your daughter on a healthy track, making sure to get the correct diagnosis and therapists that she can trust. ONLY AFTER she is in a healthier place would I have her finish school. Being so close to the end, that makes it tempting to push for a finish and “salvage” her record. BUT - please don’t push too soon, she needs to concentrate on her emotional issues first. Only when she is ready to tackle the pressure should she try to finish her semester. The deans office, or perhaps the college counseling center will be able to advise you or her on how to handle a leave of absense. </p>
<p>Being legally an “adult”, your child will need to be the one to make arrangements with the college. Though all of us parents know that being over 18 does NOT make a person automatically responsible enough to handle college administrators, much less their own future. Especially an “adult” child with emotional or psychological setbacks…</p>