How to Create a Psychiatric Advance Directive
What is a Psychiatric Advance Directive?
A Psychiatric Advance Directive was placed into law for individuals who are sent to a psychiatric emergency room or psychiatric hospital for care. If the individual has a psychiatric advance directive they are more likely to receive health care that is more effective to their preferences based on their mental, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing. If the P.A.D. does not incorporate any realistic preferences for appropriate preferred treatment and approach the healthcare provider has the right to deny the request.
It is your choice whether or not you decide to ask someone to assist you in developing a psychiatric advance directive.
How to make sure the Psychiatric Advance Directive is honored?
If you’d really want to have your psychiatric advance directive to be honored in a hospital the best thing to do is to provide an additional letter by your mental health provider confirming that the procedure(s), treatment(s), or any other preferences be signed off by your licensed mental health care provider whom you see at least four times a month (this is often considered intensive out-patient treatment). Be sure to include your mental health provider’s contact information for emergencies; additionally you may include a business card or the details of the office such as the fax number and address if necessary for communication.
What is a Health Care Proxy?
A health care proxy is NOT the same as a living will, in the psychiatric advance directive the H.C.P. helps identify the person that is responsible for making decisions for you or rather on your behalf. For example, let’s say you’re having a psychotic crisis and are not feeling stable (stable as in, this is not really who you are or what you’re thinking, your mind and body are triggered and reacting purely on instinct and neurological responses without the order of your conscious control*). This person assists you by making decisions for you on your behalf if in such a case you are not able to make cohesive decisions for yourself
What is a Psychiatric Emergency?
My recommendation for the best PAD is to work with a mental health advocate or peer support specialist in developing a psychiatric care plan should you require psychiatric hospitalization. Be realistic, what are some reasons you would be hospitalized?
— chronic condition which makes self-control impossible such as a violent manic episode or disillusionment from a severe psychotic episode
— thoughts and attempting suicide
— self harm which has caused life threatening injury
When it becomes Dangerous: cutting an artery, call 911 immediately
— dissociation from reality; not feeling feelings, unable to feel bodily sensations,
You are in Danger: dissociation with attempt to commit homicide or life threatening self injury, call for help immediately Contact free* Hotline, please confirm that the call is free, usually text-lines charge
It is okay not to be okay
Consider all other similar circumstances in which mental health may decline, or become dangerous. It is okay not to be okay, this does not mean that you are not competent to care for yourself. It simply means that you are having a psychiatric emergency. Reminder, sometimes mental health can rollercoaster. For example you may feel ecstatic and in control in the first three months of a year to declined health six months later in the same year — that is when you should take care of yourself. Find help so that for the remainder of the year you’ll be learning how to cope and develop skills to tend to your mental health needs. Taking care of your mental wellness will you overcome obstacles of psychiatric care such as:
If there is a specific healthcare provider such as a psychiatrist or nurse whom you felt most connected to and helped by.
The Psychiatric Advance Directive asks Questions such as
Which treatments have helped you?
Which medications have not been helpful?
Which medications have been helpful?
Resources
Here are some examples of the psychiatric advance directives, information and printables:
Further Reading
I recommend for more information about maintaining wellness please read more about creating a mental health plan in this article by Julia Marie Hogan
Sources Cited
National Resource Center for Psychiatric Advance Directive
Disclaimer
* I am not a clinician or Psychology Graduate Researcher this information is solely based on my work experience, the collective conscious of my professional network and from literature by Carl Gustav Jung, Victor Frankl,
End Notes
My blog does not support intentional discrimination, bullying or tolerate harassment; instead here, we are advocates for those who are struggling and going through challenging times while living with a mental health diagnosis or crisis. Any disrespect toward individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis or disability will not be tolerated and you will be blocked from making comments and recommended to reading material on diversity and inclusion. If there are any concerns about my blog post or errors please notify me in the comments or message via twitter at Twitter.com/Amela_Sandra
If you have any questions about the psychiatric advance directive please visit the National Resource Center on https://nrc-pad.org/
If you are in immediate danger please dial 9 8 8 or if you think that you are dying from an overdose or severe bodily injury call 9 1 1 immediately
This blog contains original content created by Amela any information plagiarized will be challenged in the court of law and/or immediately reported. Please cite my blog or simply Amela when reflecting or mirroring the content of my blog posts. All information is not privileged—it is free for all to learn from as peers in recovery-For Peers in Recovery, there are no penalties for discussion amongst peers, all other businesses, business matters, corporations or organizations are encouraged to cite my work especially if there is a monetary transaction/gain. The style, format and name are all original and possessed
byAmela
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