Bedlam.

This four part series boldly challenges the myths and taboos about mental illness through unprecedented access to the patients and staff of the South London and Maudsley (SLaM) - the world’s oldest psychiatric institution. The second programme focuses on short-stay emergency treatment for patients in crisis. Katrina is a 22-year-old student at a top drama school. She was first diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder while in her second year at university. She is now experiencing her third admission to hospital after threatening to kill her mother following an argument. Patients admitted to Lambeth Hospital Triage may be considered a risk to themselves or to others. New arrivals are assessed and either move to longer stay wards or back home to be looked after in the community. Critical decisions about risk are taken every day, says Medical Director Dr Martin Baggaley. 51-year-old Rupert has spent much of his adult life on psychiatric wards. At 17 he was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder. Like half of the patients on the ward, he came onto the ward voluntarily, but now can’t leave without the doctors’ permission. The other half have been sectioned under the Mental Health Act. In Lambeth the rate of serious mental illness is three times the national average. The problem is exacerbated by social deprivation and drug abuse, but can affect people of all backgrounds. We meet Dominic, creative director of an IT company and father of four who was found at home after having taken an overdose. Although previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder this was his first suicide attempt. Dominic isn't sure why he tried to kill himself and after a few days on the ward feels well enough to leave. Although uncertain whether Dominic still poses a risk to himself, Baggaley decides to trust him and let him go home to his family. Rupert is also keen to leave, but with a history of violent offending poses a greater danger to others than to himself. As a provisional measure, the psychiatrists grant him an hour’s leave but he goes AWOL, returning after eight hours. Having lost the trust of the care providers, Rupert is moved onto a longer stay ward. Six days after discharge, Dominic readmits himself after experiencing a manic episode, but is keen to leave almost as soon as he arrived. This time however, the team are reluctant to let him go. Angelika has flown over to the UK from Germany to meet her fiancé but it appears that she is suffering from delusional beliefs. Charge Nurse Sarah Camp tries to convince her to take her medication but she refuses and is forcibly injected. Although medicating patients against their will appears brutal, it is often essential for recovery and discharge. Dominic is released once again, but three weeks later overdoses a second time. Though suicidal, he is still able to function and is re-diagnosed with a form of personality disorder. Therapy is deemed a better treatment option than medication and he is once again allowed home. Six months later he appears to be doing well, but winning back the trust of his family will take longer. Rupert is also back home after three months in hospital. And Katrina has returned to her mum’s, having found the right balance of medication.