[Bipolarchic14]

I am so angry. I was forced to stay in a mental health facility for seven days. During this time they did nothing to actually help with the issue. They did however try to correct my diabetes by starving me with a diet that wasn’t even suitable for diabetes. I want to sue them but I can’t find a lawyer to take my case. So pissed off right now. I can’t believe they can violate my basic rights not assist me with the issue and not be held accountable. I am thinking of trying to file suit on my own.

[Blue_Bird]

What was the issue you were hospitalized for ? If they had reason to believe you were a danger to yourself or others they can put you in the hospital for a certain amount of time, it's happened to me before. might be best to move forward from the incident and try to get help from a doctor and or therapist for what you said they didn't help you with while hospitalized.

[Wild Coyote]

I am sorry you have had a negative experience with what sounds like an involuntary admission.

Did you have a hearing while admitted, in order to extend your stay beyond 72 hours?
Do you have a legal guardian or a Power of Attorney, someone who might have given the okay to keep you in the hospital?

You may try to discover why you were held (and under which laws in your state you were held, by requesting your medical records.

You may find an advocate willing to assist you through a legal aid officeand/or a disability law project. If you are unable to locate these agencies in your state,you may call the State's Attorney's office, usually listed in phone listings and often a toll-free tel. Number.I

I feel it's important to discover exactly why you were held. This can help in how we perceive the entire care system. By this, I mean, if you were held for no good reason or held illegally, it might help you to know this. If there Was good reason and you were held legally, it might help you to realize people were concerned and were trying to help you.

It's likely people were trying to help you. You are wondering if your rights have been violated and it may help you to discover the truth.

Either way, admissions can be very difficult to deal with and I am sorry you were unwell. I hope you are feeling better now and can move forward to better days!

[Nammu]

You can google PAIMI it's protection and advocacy for individuals with mental illness. They cover all institutions and have the power to investigate. There's one in every states but some states are better than others. You can google PAIMI dot gov org to find the national one then go on the website to find your state and local organizations. They are a legal organization and are federally funded. Because of recent cuts they can't take everyone but wrongful involuntary commitment is a big issue they do deal with.

Sorry to hear that.

It sounds like there was a communication breakdown somewhere between you and the hospital. If they failed to explain their decisions to you in a manner that you could understand, then shame on them. You DESERVE to understand. However, if they provided you with an opinion and you personally disagreed with their assessment, then I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you’re SOL unless you can find someone who will provide another opinion or investigate.

For what it’s worth, it is VERY difficult to prove malpractice, especially when a doctor provides documentation to back up his reasoning. You also have to have suffered “to a significant degree,” and prove it beyond a reasonable doubt, before a judge even considers compensation or action against the offending party. What is considered “significant degree” depends on the judge’s opinion, too. Furthermore, even if the doctors did show signs of poor judgment, that is not always enough to win a lawsuit. So... whether you have a solid case or not, you have to figure out what outcome you expect and if it’s worth the gamble of possibly losing a lot of money. Lots of doctors are rich and can afford top lawyers. It is not about right or wrong, but about who has the better lawyers. (Not to be an asshole...)

I recommend getting your hospital documentation and speaking with a separate mental health professional. If that person feels the hospital has violated your rights or has harmed you beyond a reasonable doubt, they will help guide you in the right direction. They know the ethics of mental health care, because they have to or they can’t keep their license.

[Bipolarchic14]

There was no hearing and no one explained anything to me. I was held for having suicidal urges. I was trying to explain the degree so they would not just blow me off. The truth landed me in the hospital. Now I don’t know who to speak with when I feel this way. I don’t want to over burden my family and I don’t trust the mental health industry. I am actually considering tapering off my meds so I don’t have to deal with them anymore.

[fern46]

Tapering off your meds seems like you'd be moving in the wrong direction if you want the urges to stop. I was in IP with several women who had similar urges and they stayed much longer than 7 days. I wasn't suicidal and they kept me for 10 days. I noticed a lot of people spend their time in the hospital trying to get out instead of working with the providers to address why they were there in the first place. Many were focused on how many days or hours they had to be in IP. I saw the providers try to help these people, but it wasn't as effective as it was for the people who accepted they needed help and worked the program.

Was this your first hospitalization? I'm sorry you weren't provided with more information about why they kept you. It doesn't strike me as a long stay though given what you shared with them. It was good of you to be honest.

Why do you feel like they weren't helpful? Are you still having urges? IP isn't intended to cure you. Their goal is to get you to a more stable place so that you can resume other courses of treatment like IOP, therapy and regular appointments with your psychiatrist.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I hope you are able to find treatment that works better for you with your next provider.

[Bipolarchic14]

They literally did nothing . No med adjustment and no therapy. Smh I am in the same spot I was before.

[Pookyl]

I’ve been hospitalised for up to 5 weeks for being suicidal. I stay in hospital until I’m safe and can trust myself and also until others can trust me. I owe it to my DH and my son and daughter.

[MickeyCheeky]

I am DEEPLY SORRY for what you've been through, @Bipolarchic14!!!!! You did NOT deserve to be treated this way!! I'm so sorry they didn't give you any explaination or that they didn't even TRY to make you feel better! That's HORRIBLE! .sadhug: Please be kind to yourself! I'd suggest to be REALLY, TRULY careful with your Meds! It may be dangerous for your own health to tamper with them! I understand this experienced must have been TRULY bad but don't let it get to you!! Focus on yourself for now. Please be kind to yourself! As for suing them, that's your choice! i just want you to consider carefully ALL of your options and what you think the priority should be for you at the moment! In any case, if you DO decide to go along with it, definitely get an experienced lawyer! We're here for you if that helps! Feel free to PM me ANYTIME! Let me know how things are going for you! I'm sure PLENTY of others will gladly hear you out as well and try to help you as much as they possibly can! I hope you have someone supporting you in Real Life as well! In any case, Please remember that we ALL DO CARE HERE! Remember to take GREAT care of yourself!! Sending many safe, warm hugs to BOTH You, @Bipolarchic14, and ALL Of Your Loved Ones!!!!!