[franz kafka]

Is there a benefit to being voluntarily admitted to hospital? Or a downside to involuntary? Anyone have experience with this?

[bioChE]

If you're voluntary you can leave at any time. Involuntary is usually a 72-hr hold, and if necessary a judge can keep you longer. If I were you I'd go voluntary. If they threaten you with involuntary, you're going anyway.

Just go and have patience while the doctors do their thing. They'll discharge you when they think you're ready.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Voluntary is much easier. You have more say of when you go home.

[franz kafka]

In my experience, "voluntary" doesn't mean you can sign out any time. You are required to stay for 5 business days. Not quite so voluntary, if you ask me. 72-hour hold is actually less time than that.

[HALLIEBETH87]

But voluntary shows cooperation and the will to want to get better

If you are voluntary they can't keep you. They can make recommendations and suggest you stay but they can't stop you from leaving. Now, one can voluntarily admit themselves after which they can apply to a judge to have you committed. In my health region that is generally 7-10 days.

When I have been hospitalized it was voluntary. I couldn't simply walk out though. I had to secure a pass to do so. It was necessary for me to communicate where I was going and when I expected to be back.

[Wonderfalls]

Sometimes, too, they tell their voluntary patients that if they check out before it's medically approved their insurance won't cover the stay. That's absolutely not true.

[Teddy Bear]

Involantary may just cause you to have to see a judge. Volantary will be easier to get out.

I'm sorry you're going through this. I know it's a difficult choice for you.

If it puts your mind at ease, ask or research what would disqualify you from the Egypt study program. I believe that a voluntary admittance would look better on paper than an involuntary admittance would because of what Halliebeth said

[franz kafka]

There's no way the Egypt program will find out about this.

I think it's a pretty low chance I'll be admitted, but I want to know my options.

[Victoria'smom]

Voluntary I was there for 3 days
Involuntary I was there 10 days

[franz kafka]

I've been voluntary lots of times. Shortest was 5 days. I don't have this kind of time. I'm in school. Even 72-hours is a lot.

I'm just praying ER doc doesn't admit me

[Nammu]

Voluntary gets you more privileges. Depends on the hospital of course but some places I've been have cafeterias but you can only go if your are there voluntary.

[Sunflower123]

If push comes to shove my vote is for voluntary. I've never been involuntary but the times I've gone voluntary, I decided when I wanted to leave. They disagreed with me on 2 of those occasions but acquiesced when I was firm about leaving. I hope you get the help you need and start feeling better soon.

About the only difference I noticed was they said I could not purchase a gun for 5 years after being admitted involuntarily. One time they gave me the option of going voluntarily or involuntarily and I chose voluntary. They can tie you down if needed for involuntarily too I think. At least they threatened me with force.

[Ocean Swimmer]

I've had bipolar for decades.
Never went in volunteering but never had police either. But I've had husband take me. I was so manic I may have signed I was voluntary. ??
Maybe insurance reason or Pdoc administration??
Don't let this stand in your way if it will effect you for self harm. I never want to go in ip.
Someone always makes me. Then I won't eat. I don't know why. I lost 40 lbs last time.