[JMIR]

Hello, my firiend self admits himself to the hospital, is consumed by paranoia. The inpatient new physician tell us that unless the patient gives him permission to discuss his care, then he will tell family nothing!!!

The psych patient to give permission, that is so stupid it is funny!

My friend says he wants to get out, the family is not ready, not prepared and my friend is not either, but physician is NO help!!!!

Physician basically says, ok, unless you are going to hurt yourself or someone else, then he gets out! No plan of care, NOTHING!!!

Can the family do anything to keep him in? It is horrible!!

That's the law. The pdoc is abiding by federal law.

Only a physician through court order can commit a patient.

Check with the hospital social services though. There should be a case worker who handles discharge planning.

[JMIR]

Hi there, thank for your support. I understand the basics that it is the law, I get it, but just because my friend mentions going home, the physician does not say, hey, you should stay a few more days etc.. He is not there yet and the parents are in their 80's and his wife will have to take time off for work. It is so frustrating!

Thanks for your time to respond!

Originally Posted by farmergirl

That's the law. The pdoc is abiding by federal law.

Only a physician through court order can commit a patient.

Check with the hospital social services though. There should be a case worker who handles discharge planning.

[Rapunzel]

They could try contacting NAMI http://www.nami.org/ and see if they can get some help that way.

[JMIR]

Great information there, thanks for responding! JMIR

Originally Posted by Rapunzel

They could try contacting NAMI http://www.nami.org/ and see if they can get some help that way.

[CareBear75]

Has he been diagnosed with anything previous to this?

In my state (Maryland), if you sign yourself in you should expect to be in there at least 3 days for observation & treatment. After the 3rd day, if you want to go, they let you out if you are not a threat, etc, etc..so hopefully he will be in there a few days. They might adjust his meds (if he's taking them) too. Keep in mind the meds take a few weeks to get into the system, usually, so there will be a rough period regardless.

Remember that his paranoia is not his fault, it's his illness. Definitely contact NAMI and pass the info along to his family. I wish I had done it years ago! THey are a great support. They can help with support groups for him, you and his family and can give advice on what to do now and how to be prepared should this happen again.

Good luck to you. Keep your thoughts positive and make sure you stay sane while helping your friend.

[JMIR]

Hello, thank you for your response. He has been in for two weeks, so take what we can get right? He is getting close to the point of coming back, but like you said, they let you out if you are not a threat etc..

Let's keep us all in our prayers!

Originally Posted by CareBear75

Has he been diagnosed with anything previous to this?

In my state (Maryland), if you sign yourself in you should expect to be in there at least 3 days for observation & treatment. After the 3rd day, if you want to go, they let you out if you are not a threat, etc, etc..so hopefully he will be in there a few days. They might adjust his meds (if he's taking them) too. Keep in mind the meds take a few weeks to get into the system, usually, so there will be a rough period regardless.

Remember that his paranoia is not his fault, it's his illness. Definitely contact NAMI and pass the info along to his family. I wish I had done it years ago! THey are a great support. They can help with support groups for him, you and his family and can give advice on what to do now and how to be prepared should this happen again.

Good luck to you. Keep your thoughts positive and make sure you stay sane while helping your friend.