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What a sticky, sticky area. One right many states now allow is a Psychiatric Advance Directive or Mental Health Advance Directive(PAD or MHAD). The sticky point is of course that you have been "labeled" with a mental illness if you make a PAD. And in many states the PAD legally only need to follow the states own PAD forms which are very limited. Many states like the one I live in now only ask when you have become "unstable" which of three choices of treatment/torment do you wish to have forced on you; Med's(which med's are your first choice), restraint and isolation, some states add ECT as an option. None of the above is my choice, really is there any difference between isolation, restraint and the chemical restraint of some medications?
With my T , Bazelon web site, and legal advise I have my own PAD that is geared toward me and my illness. On it I note that I am not my illness. I explain why I chose not to take certain medications and outline the negative physical reactions I had. I explain that as a human being I respond well to one person talking in a low reassuring voice and no tricks or lies. Two people on my PAD must agree on the treatment for it to be considered. By explaining what physical reactions I have had to medications and how I act to force I have a better chance of any court accepting my PAD than an outline form that simply refuses the standard choices. I've placed copies with my primary care doctor and everyone on the PAD also has a copy.
I've been though the hell of a forced treatment once and do not ever want to repeat it. I was once put on a 72 hour hold where they told me they had called my T (they had not- but said IF she called back and confirmed what I said I could go)and would call my primary doc after the weekend(which doesn't count) but since I was put in on a weds they had no excuse for not calling right away. I contacted my T's office and told them what was going on once she called them they had to let me go.
So there is a bit of protection from forced treatment available if you want to be proactive and are willing to involve others. With so many civil rights at risk in todays times it helps me sleep a bit better. Like many things it is an individual choice and depends on your own circumstances.
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Nammu
…Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. …...
Desiderata Max Ehrmann
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