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    B.C. government removed girl from mother with mental illness

    Mom had breakdown after spending months on waiting lists for treatment

    Last Updated: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 | 7:58 PM ET

    By Kathy Tomlinson CBC News


    Adrienne Lindsay says she feels she is being 'persecuted' as a mother because of her mental illness. (CBC) A Vancouver mother who has a diagnosed mental illness is speaking out about how her daughter was taken away from her by the B.C. government after she had a breakdown.
    "My daughter came barrelling out of the social worker's meeting [after being told she was being sent away] crying and throwing herself at me," said Adrienne Lindsay.
    "I've never hit my child. I've never yelled at my child. It just seemed so ludicrous," she said. "I've always been proud of how good of a mother I am."
    The B.C. government removed 11-year-old Emma from Lindsay's care in the spring after she had a breakdown while off her medication. It was four months before she was able to get her daughter back.
    'I was feeling punished — it's like, you have a mental illness, therefore you don't deserve to parent.'— Adrienne Lindsay
    Family information and medical records indicate Lindsay has no history of abusing or neglecting her daughter, but she has suffered for years from depression and infrequent emotional outbursts.
    A psychiatrist who recently took on Lindsay's case, Dr. Jamie Paredes, wrote, "She belongs to a subtype [of her illness] in which she suffers rather than make others suffer. … I believe she is a loving mother and … I don't have any concern about her taking care of her daughter independently."
    "There is nothing wrong with having a mental illness," said Lindsay. "As long as you do what you can to deal with it. You shouldn't be punished for that."
    Three years ago, Lindsay said a physician at a walk-in clinic diagnosed her as having borderline personality disorder and put her on medication, which helped somewhat. She has also since been diagnosed with bipolar II disorder.
    On waiting list for therapy

    For several months before her child was taken away, Lindsay said she tried repeatedly to get into therapy or to see a psychiatrist but instead was put on long waiting lists — of up to two years. When she needed medical help, she said, she had no choice but to call 911 or go to the hospital emergency department, where she said she would invariably be sent home again.
    "This is something I have been struggling with for years … approaching doctors and approaching professionals and trying to get diagnosed and trying to get assistance," said Lindsay.
    Adrienne Lindsay, right, says people who know her understand that she is a good mother to 11-year-old daughter Emma. (CBC) Back in March, Lindsay said a neurologist took her off her drug regime, so she could undergo some tests. Because she was off her medication, she said, she had an emotional breakdown. Her fiancι called 911.
    Lindsay was admitted to Vancouver General Hospital and B.C.'s Ministry of Children and Families stepped in to formally remove Emma from Lindsay's care.
    "I was feeling punished — it's like, you have a mental illness, therefore you don't deserve to parent," said Lindsay.
    "It has ruined relationships in my family. My friends have kind of backed off a bit. It's hard, because I have seen people on TV who have maybe had their kids taken away … and I am not very sympathetic to them. In my head, I'm thinking, 'Oh well, actually, you probably did do something wrong.'"
    The Ministry of Children and Families declined to speak directly about why Emma was removed from her mother's care, but spokesman Kelly Gleeson wrote in an e-mail, "Mental health issues would be one factor considered, [but] all factors would determine the ministry's course of action.
    "A risk reduction plan — that would include monitoring the safety of the child — would be put in place based on the potential risk to the child to address the safety and well-being of the child," wrote Gleeson. "Our goal is always to return a child to his or her family but only when it is safe to do so."
    Mother only allowed supervised visits

    Emma was placed in the care of her maternal grandparents, who temporarily moved from Kelowna into Lindsay's Vancouver condominium to look after the girl. Her mother was only allowed restricted, supervised visits. Lindsay was not allowed to return to her condo when she got out of hospital, because Emma was there.
    Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C.'s representative for children and youth, says parents in crisis often aren't given the mental health care they need. (CBC) "It ruined our life," said Lindsay, wiping away tears. "How can anybody get ahead when this is happening? I have everything going for me, in terms of being educated, you know, being well spoken — but you know, I've been feeling stuck and hurt and persecuted."
    Four months after she lost custody, Emma was returned to her care.
    "I don't like the ministry. I think they were totally and utterly wrong," said Emma. "I've known [my mother] forever, and I know [her illness] is not major or horrible."
    "I've been diagnosed, and I'm on medication, and I'm functioning. I'm fine," said Lindsay. "It scares me to think of people who don't have a voice — or maybe they do have a voice, but they are saying all the wrong things because they are not on proper medication."
    B.C.'s representative for children and youth, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, said she could not comment on the case directly but that she often sees children in crisis with parents who need but can't get mental health services.
    "Quite frequently in these cases, it gets to a situation where it's gone too far, and the children are removed, and the frontline social worker can't command resources in the adult mental health system," said Turpel-Lafond.
    "When parents go through that and they can't get the support they need, … they are having a challenge themselves that will affect their capacity," she said. "So, those systems have to work together, and in British Columbia, they have to be more seamless."
    B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell says his government is increasing services for the mentally ill. (CBC) Rebecca Shields of the Vancouver branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association said mental health services in B.C. are chronically under-resourced and waiting lists are a huge obstacle.
    "This affects all of us," said Shields. "One in five Canadians will have a diagnosable mental illness at some point in their lives, and that means that so many of us — our friends, our families — may have a mental health concern. And if we get adequate support, we can move on."
    B.C. premier says services improving

    B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell said his government is putting more money into mental health services, promising a 57 per cent expansion in services across the province. Campbell has a personal interest in the issue, because his father committed suicide when he was a teenager.
    "My family has gone through the challenges that people face when they have mental illness, and I think we have to constantly reach out to take care of those people," said Campbell. "We are investing literally millions and millions of dollars to expand mental health services all over the province.
    "I can't really speak about [Lindsay's] specific case, [but] I am glad to find out about it. I think the really important thing is to recognize that there are always people involved when there is mental illness. We should be actively giving them the support they need, giving them the care they need, and if this particular case, you know, wasn't done that way, I'd certainly like to hear about it and see if we can fix it."
    Lindsay said she is worried about the long-term impact on Emma, because she sees her little girl now trying to be perfect and blaming herself for what happened.
    "She does now have a phobia about social workers," Lindsay said. "She's angry. She's hurt, and very angry."


    Link to original story on CBC News website
    Woody

    #2
    Hi all, I'm new here...

    This article scares the bejeebers out of me. I'm single mom to one teenaged daughter (adopted, special needs), and have been struggling with my mental health and depression for a very long time, though I've often been able to mask it and look 'normal' from all outward appearances.

    My depression comes and goes, but this time it really hit hard, and I've been off work for over a month already. I'm not sure when/if I'll be able to go back to work. In the meantime, I'm on a combination of Prozac and Wellbutrin, and taking Zopiclone and Lorazepam at bedtime to try to help me sleep (it's not working).

    I did some online tests this week for ADD, personality disorders, etc., and if the findings are accurate, I'm one messed up person...

    For PD's I was found to rate High for Paranoid, Schizotypal, Avoidant and Obsessive-Compulsive, and Moderate for Borderline, Histrionic and Dependent.

    For OCD, I have a number of symptoms including hoarding, number associations, counting compulsions, etc.

    The ADD Checklist said if you had 3 or more points in at least 12 categories, you were likely ADD. I had 3 points or more in 47categories. Additionally, for ADD type, it said it is likely I have Classic ADD, Over-focused ADD, Temporal Lobe ADD, Limbic ADD and Ring of Fire ADD.

    I realize these are NOT diagnostic results, but they certainly have given me much to think about.

    Last night I started a journal to record events that have been traumatic for me since I was little. I'm barely into memories from my teens and it's already 7 pages long. I've got a long way to go, but it is overwhelming to bring up all these bad memories all at once. Today I'm a wreck. I've got tightness in my chest, feel like it's hard to breathe and feel like I'm just minutes away from a panic attack. :-(

    Tomorrow, I have an intake appointment with Mental Health, after a referral from my doctor.

    After reading this article, now I'm afraid to tell them anything in case they decide I'm not fit to raise my daughter! She is actually the one thread that has held me together all these years because I know I have to stay strong for her.

    What on earth do I do when I go tomorrow? Tell the truth? Or only tell part of the story?

    Thanks for any input.

    Comment


      #3
      I had similar results the first time I looked at the DSM. I would encourage you to mention this to your Pdoc. He can help you sort out what is what. To this day the DSM gives me a headache!

      When I was first diagnosed in '98 with depression, the first thing my EX did was that until I got a release letter from my doctor she would demand that my visitations be supervised. I had to have my sister or mother along. This had nothing to do with my fitness as a parent and everything do with control and punishment. My then doctor was new and he did not know me from a hole in the ground so it took months before he would sign the letter. When I was diagnosed with BP-II in 2004 she tried to play this card of fitness but this time I was ready for it and in the end the judge ruled in my favour.
      What on earth do I do when I go tomorrow? Tell the truth? Or only tell part of the story?

      I do not know what to tell you about this. I do not know what kind of relationship you have with your pdoc. I would urge you to be honest with your pdoc. I suspect that if you were not a threat or a danger to your daughter before, having read this article will not change this.

      I was not sure if I was going to post this article on the board or not but then I decided too because I thought it best if we where aware of the dangers, then we can plan for them.
      Woody

      Comment


        #4
        Hey Woody, thanks for your reply.

        Can you tell me what DSM means? I'm drawing a blank...

        They cancelled my meeting at Mental Health today because the intake worker is sick, so I go now on Monday. That at least gives me a few more days to decide how much/little to divulge.

        I don't have a pdoc yet -- I think that's one of the things that was going to be discussed with Mental Health, but I'm not sure.

        I have sole custody of my daughter and at least don't have to fight the battles with an ex about fit/unfit. I'm sorry you had to go through that.

        MHH

        Comment


          #5
          Just wanted to welcome you to the forums MyHeadHurts. Let us know how you make out on Monday. I used to struggle with what to tell my P.doc. Sometimes I still do. I have come to realize that if I want to work with my P.doc to treat my illness in the best way possible, she needs to know what's really going on.


          DSM-IV

          Bedtime reading.
          Last edited by AJ; November 7, 2008, 12:38 AM.
          AJ

          Humans punish themselves endlessly
          for not being what they believe they should be.
          -Don Miguel Ruiz-

          Comment


            #6
            Thanks for the warm welcome, AJ and for your insight.

            I think on Monday I'm going to wait to open up depending on how comfortable I feel with the person I see. I'm still really scared.

            Thanks for that DSM link, too. I went and took a quick look but most of it is over my head for today!

            Have a wonderful day...

            MHH

            Comment


              #7
              Where are my manners!
              Welcome aboard MHH

              Thank you for the link AJ. The Diagnostic Statistical Manual Make sure you have an ample supply of Tylenol on hand before clicking on that link!

              May I ask what province you are in?

              I had my appointment with CMHA worker yesterday. I do not see as often now that most of the issues that she could help me with but we keep in touch at least a couple of times a year.

              Here are a few more links on the DSM that i have used in the past
              http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/di...sification.htm

              Woody

              Comment


                #8
                Hey Woody, thanks for the friendly welcome!

                Thanks for the additional links on DSM, too. Today is NOT a good day for me to be trying to absorb all that mumbo jumbo, so I've bookmarked it for another day.

                I'm in BC -- where are you?

                MHH

                Comment


                  #9
                  DSM-IV gives me a huge headache too. GAF is another one you might hear about. http://facstaff.gpc.edu/~bbrown/psyc2621/ch3/gaf.htm
                  AJ

                  Humans punish themselves endlessly
                  for not being what they believe they should be.
                  -Don Miguel Ruiz-

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Hey I have those days too where everything gets bookmarked or postponed to the next day because it is just useless to try.

                    I'm in SW Ontario. I do not know what the policy is in BC but here when I first hooked up with worker and Pdoc they had me sign a disclosure form that if I was to become a danger to myself or someone else, that they would have to report me. So do not be surprised if they ask you to sign something like that.

                    You mention before that your daughter has special needs. How reliant is she on you?

                    Woody

                    Comment


                      #11
                      thank you for the informative post and keep up the good work!
                      JCB

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Thanks Juliette and welcome
                        Woody

                        Comment


                          #13
                          welcome JulietteKlonk!
                          Anne.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Welcome Juliette!! Nice to have someone new aboard.

                            Welcome to you too, MyHeadHurts. I just wanted to say that I live in Ontario. I was diagnosed with BP after the birth of my second child. I had alot of weird thoughts going on in my head as I was also going through post partum. Anyway, I was VERY afraid they were going to take my children away so I asked my doctor. I was assured that was not going to happen as long as everyones safety was fine because yes, just like Woody said, I also, remember signing the same sheet of paper. That was 8 years ago and no one has ever come for my children and I disclose everything with my doctors.

                            Hope that helps. Good luck. I will be thinking of you.

                            Comment


                              #15


                              I take no sides, just mentioning...

                              good luck to everyone, it's tuff.
                              Lots of courage.
                              Last edited by lyxia; January 8, 2010, 03:51 PM. Reason: mistake

                              Comment

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