[JMIR]

Hello, can anyone provide guidance, please!

My friend is on day 8 of being inpatient at a mental health hospital. He checked himself in just before he completely lost control. He is diagnosed as bipolar with paranoia dominating him now. Other symptoms are not sleeping, pacing etc.. but the paranoia is horrible.

He just got transferred to another unit because he did not take his medication.

1.) Is it true that unless he gives permission to the physician to speak with his wife or father, that his medical treatment cannot be discussed with them or anyone? I mean, this is a paranoid psych patient saying no to the physician and the physician is telling family, sorry, cannot tell you
anything, I have to get his permission! YES< THE ONE THAT IS PARANOID!!! IS THIS THE LAW?

2.) As self admitted, if he wants to get out, then basically he can, paranoia is not enough to keep him in the hospital, ONLY if his is harmful to himself or others does that justify keeping him or Baker Acting him?

This is a nightmare for the family, whose parents are elderly and the wife just cannot quit work to take care of him. The hospital is the best place for him, but so far but it emotionally devastating to the family!

Any guidance is helpful! JMIR

Those are the laws. Patients have privacy rights that they sign off on at admission. The social worker/case worker might be able to work with him to get him to sign off on permission. You might try that route.