Anxiety Key Factor In Australian Tourist Death: Phuket Hospital Staff

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Anxiety key factor in Australian tourist death: Phuket hospital staff

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: While Phuket police continue their investigation into the death of 21-year-old Australian tourist Sebastian Eric Faulkner, staff at Patong Hospital have reported that the young man was showing signs of anxiety when he presented himself to the hospital just hours before his death.

On recognizing the symptoms, doctors at Patong Hospital admitted him for minor depression.

Mr Faulkner, from Melbourne, plunged from the ninth floor balcony of his guest room at the Andaman Beach Suites hotel in Patong at about 6pm on December 31.

He was rushed to Patong Hospital where he was diagnosed as comatose with spine and rib fractures as well as chest injuries. He was taken to Bangkok Hospital Phuket for emergency care, but pronounced dead a short time later.

However, the acting director at Patong Hospital, Dr Muanprae Boonlorm, told the Phuket Gazette today that early on the morning of December 31 Mr Faulkner was brought to the hospital by his friends. At the time, Mr Faulkner was showing symptoms of anxiety.

“His hands were shaking and his heart was beating hard. However, he was able to talk and understand what the nurses and doctor said.

“The doctor examined him and diagnosed him with minor depression. The doctor suggested that he rest at the hospital until he felt better. His friend left after the talk with the doctor,” Dr Muanprae explained.

At about 8am, hospital staff noticed that Mr Faulkner was missing from his room. They searched the hospital, found him, and took him back to his room.

At that time, Mr Faulkner told them that he did not want treatment, but the staff could not allow him to leave before a doctor had signed discharge papers which formally acknowledge that he refused treatment.

“At about 10am, he disappeared from the room again. This time we could not find him, so we contacted the Patong Police Station,” Dr Muanprae explained.

At about 5pm, staff at the Andaman Beach Suites Hotel saw Mr Faulkner in the hotel lobby looking anxious.

They encouraged him to go to the hospital, but he did not want to, so they took him back to his room to rest, Kathu Police Deputy Superintendent Nikorn Choothong told the Gazette.

About an hour later, at 6pm, staff discovered that he had fallen from his balcony on the ninth floor.

“There was no evidence of drugs or alcohol in his room,” Deputy Superintendent Nikorn said.

The police investigation into the cause of Mr Faulkner's death is ongoing, he added.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...taff-19874.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-01-04

[Tomtomtom69]

Very interesting, though sad story. I wonder what prompted him to fall from so high up. Anxiety is a major problem for many people and most people have experienced it on occassion, personally I have battled with it on and off for several months, including suffering from panic attacks. But the last thing most anxiety sufferers want to suffer is the pain associated with serious injuries and extreme trauma that can result in death.

Maybe he had other problems, but in the absence of major health related issues I don't see any reason why a young person like this would end up doing something like this.

I hope that the standard prescription of 100 anti-anxiety pills that Thai doctors/hospitals tend to prescribe with every visit for any ailment that involves anxiety be seriously re-examined as pills are not the magic answer towards curing anxiety. Rather they create a cycle of dependence and don't address the underlying cause(s) which could be anything from another health condition to environmental factors.

Very sad indeed. He should have stayed at the hospital, pills or not.

[Para]

Hang on correct me if I am wrong but the first report of this stated the following......

The Phuket News reported that Mr Faulkner sought medical assistance from a hospital on December 30, but "left without anyone noticing"

But now its being reported......

“The doctor examined him and diagnosed him with minor depression. The doctor suggested that he rest at the hospital until he felt better.

Hospital C.Y.A. or saving face?

[Halion]

This whole story although sad in the fact that a young man lost his life is most suspicious. As mentioned by an earlier poster the initial version said that he attended hospital but left without anyone noticing. If he attended hospital and no one noticed then how can the state that he did in fact attend hospital, as by their own admission ,, no one noticed. Now we have a convolution of friends ,hospitals and hotel staff all indicating that this young man was showing serious signs discomfort, disorientation, and still was allowed to return and be shown to his room. Don't think so. There is something missing from the picture they are now painting.

[JetsetBkk]

This whole story although sad in the fact that a young man lost his life is most suspicious. As mentioned by an earlier poster the initial version said that he attended hospital but left without anyone noticing. If he attended hospital and no one noticed then how can the state that he did in fact attend hospital, as by their own admission ,, no one noticed. Now we have a convolution of friends ,hospitals and hotel staff all indicating that this young man was showing serious signs discomfort, disorientation, and still was allowed to return and be shown to his room. Don't think so. There is something missing from the picture they are now painting.

\

What's missing is accurate reporting by the local rags.

Also, why was he allegedly suffering from hallucinations? Something he (voluntarily) consumed?

[fire and ice]

You cannot be depressed and anxious at the same time - they are opposites. Something is amiss here, either in translation or professional competence.

[ThaiKiwi]

You cannot be depressed and anxious at the same time - they are opposites. Something is amiss here, either in translation or professional competence.

http://www.psychologytoday.com In fact, most mood disorders present as a combination of anxiety and depression. Surveys show that 60-70% of those with depression also have anxiety. And half of those with chronic anxiety also have clinically significant symptoms of depression.

[Gerryasia]

Wait a <deleted>' minute here folks....WHERE were his "friends" during all this? Did they just dump him at the hospital and run off to the beach or bar? THERE is where the real fault lies. Traveling in 3rd world countries with friends means "everybody looks out for each other"...in my world, anyway.

[KuhnPaen]

You cannot be depressed and anxious at the same time - they are opposites. Something is amiss here, either in translation or professional competence.

Sorry, But you are in error sir. Anxiety & depression go together like penut butter and chocolate.

[Plastic Brontosaurus]

People with mental illnesses that could endanger themselves (or others) should not travel alone - period. How come this guy did not have family or friends staying in his vicinity at all times (assuming that he was known to have a mental illness)? By the looks of it, the "friend" that dropped him off at the hospital may have been someone befriended locally during the holiday - a true friend would stay with a person with this type of condition until the condition improved. Also unusual that he apparently had no medication with him (once again assuming that it was not the first time this thing happened to him). R.I.P.

Edited January 6, 2013 by Plastic Brontosaurus