involuntary hospitalization

What do you guys think about involuntary hospitalization laws? Does it do more harm then good? What's your opinion about it?

Depends how far it's taken.......could prevent hurting oneself or others, and could lead to good treatment in a hospital where one meets people too, but it could be forced onto someone who clearly doesn't need it..........

I think it depends on the situation. If the patient is an imminent risk of harm to self or others or is clearly psychotic, I can see the need for it. The extent to which it gets applied and the applicable laws vary alot from country to country.

I know here in Ontario to be committed on a form (72 hours) requires the signature of 2 psychiatrists, so there is some check and balance in the system. Subsequent forms can be issued, to hold the patient longer but the patient is assigned an advocated from the psychiatric patients advocacy office which is an independent agency, to advise patients of their rights.

Do I think there's potential for abuse - possibly, but the reality is, most places are so short of psychiatric beds that involuntary hospitalization is probably not going to be done lightly.

I do feel very strongly that self - harm alone, in the abscence of suicidal intent, should not be grounds for involuntary hospitalization.

---splitimage

I believe that involuntary hospitalization done for marginal circumstances is terribly destructive. However, there are times when it is necessary. For example my brother who had major psychotic disorder. When he believed that the russians were after him and shot out the windows in his home, blew up with dynamite all appliances as they had listening devices, and drove through store fronts, he needed to be hospitalized until his meds were stabilized. In the case of someone making suicidal threats, they do not need to be hospitalized and locking them up is trauma inducing and not necessary. If that person dies it is their wish and it is much different then the first example. Most people threatening suicide are doing just that, threatening.

.>>>>>. D E ,,, Hey . Hadn't seen ya in awhile . .

I had to give a peep around a month ago ,, of go or I let the courts make ya . Had her Docs behind me on it .
She went on her own and I told her ,, don't ask to come home till you have learned something !!!!!

Now she is getting stronger and goes 3 times a week for group @ 3 hrs. at a time ...

Helped her ,,, and that was the bottom line !

I work almost excusively with patients who have been involuntarily hospitalized. It is a completely necessary procedure which can end up saving lives-- people can become serious dangers to themselves or others and the involuntary hospitalization is necessary to proceed with stabilizing the person.

Not all of the time. No absolutes please.

Yea Wisewoman <<<<<<<..... . Nothing is always cut in Stone .

I was involuntarily hospitalized once. I was definately psychotic at the time and needed it.
Dennis

I don't think it's something that would be done lightly, but maybe that depends which country you live in? I do think there is a need for it sometimes though.

I believe in it for psychosis and danger to other. However, I believe any non-psychotic should be allowed to harm themselves.

there are many situations where i believe involuntary hospitalization is necessary. however, i disagree that by law my psychiatrist/psychologist can have me sent to the hospital if they think i'm a suicide risk.

i have thought about suicide on/off for 23 years, starting at about 16. i have been afraid to talk with my doctors about it because of this law. last year i finally told my psychiatrist. she gave me the option of immediately checking myself in or she would have me involuntarily hospitalized. while i understand she was concerned because i was at the bottom emotionally, it wasn't like these thoughts were new.

just a few weeks ago i finally opened up to my psychologist about my suicidal idealogy and fears about talking to her in detail. we both now have a better understanding of our relationship. i feel more relieved knowing i can talk with her about this, instead of it being this big secret i hid from her.

i feel that if this law were not in place, i would have opened up a while ago about this and could have been dealing with it better. i think there are many people that do not talk about it for fear of being sent to the hospital. while i do not disagree with people being hospitalized, there are many people who can get the same depth of treatment without going to the hospital.

we have had to have our son involuntarily hospitalized several times, but only when he is a danger to others. he becomes very paranoid & thinks he is acting defensively, but he can be very dangerous to others, especially his family & closest friends.
we think there is no choice in such cases, unless you think he'd be better off in gaol.

we admit to having tried to have him hospitalized when he said he was going to jump under a train but the hospital released him & had him driven to a railway station


if someone really wants to die there is no way to stop them, suicidal ideation is a completely different problem & there is no reason to admit such people to a hospital & waste the hospital beds which are urgently needed for critical cases.