[Joanne3]

I have been on a cutting bender for the last 3 days, leaving probably 30+ scars on my thighs, upper arm and wrist (which, all together, have hundreds of old scars). My therapist knows I self-harm (6 months ago but recently started up - only cutting every few days) and I'm afraid of telling her about this because it's getting bad again and my GP talked about hospitalising if I didn't get my self-harm under control.

Can they actually involuntarily hold you for non-lethal self harm? and if so, has anyone actually been hospitalised? Can you share your story?

[winkynjr]

One of my old sponsors hospitalized me years ago!!! I signed the papers and since I did that I could release myself after 72 hours which I did!!! Today I wish I could be hospitalized to get my mental state back on track!!!! I have 23 days today again without cutting but I have had some really strong urges again the past couple of days and I am not sure how long I am going to keep fighting!!!!!!!

[nicoleb2]

I would guess the answer to this depends upon the laws where you live. Here, they typically only put you on a hold (involuntary hospitalization) if you are suicidal or homicidal

[Sam2]

Sorry to say I was involuntarily committed for SI. In the state I was living in at the time, there had to be a Dr., parent (even if you were 18) and someone else with clought in order to do it. I'd been going through an intense period of suicide attempts, but was also cutting. Those were put off as more attempts.

One night my friend drove me home and asked to come in the house with me. Inside, there were my parents, the family GP, a counsellor i had known and my friend. The told me I either had to committ myself or they would do it. I felt badly betrayed at the time and it took a long time to get over. I too wound up signing the papers. Since it was a late Friday night, there were no pyschologists available to evaluate patients and I didn't see one til that Monday. Even then, he just sat me down on a bench in the hallway and asked what was going on. I wanted out, so I told him what he wanted to hear and was released.

I can't say as I wish they had kept me because by then, I'd been through a bunch of psychiatrists that probably should have themselves been committed and wanted nothing to do with them. Had someone gotten to me as an early teen when the problems started, I probably would have been more receptive.
At anyrate, committing someone without thier consent doesn't seem like a very good enviornment. Its more likely to cause resentment and defensive behavior. Now I think you have to be in imminent danger of hurting yourself or someone else to be committed.

Sam2

[Victoria'smom]

the paperwork in my state is so openly writen most anyone seeking help with a therapist that is new can be committed. However involuntary or volentary hospitalization is generally used for medication adjust when the doctors feel a person is un safe.

[Tamster]

in my state they dont commit for SI due to it not being life threatening although they do treat the underlying depression or bipolar disorder and might involuntary for that. that said it probably varies state to state. be careful and kind to yourself those scars will always be with u even though u dont care now down the road it will matter to u.

[ThisWayOut]

I don't know the laws in AU, but i have only been commented for serious self-harm that was life-threatening. The other commitments were for major depression and they said i was suicidal. I know in treatment for self injury, it is generally not done (involuntary commitment for it) and considered not so helpful. As stated by sam and others, it breeds resentment. Here, doctor and treaters with little experience with self harm are the ones to hospitalize for non-lethal self-injury. Can you talk to your therapist and gp and come up with a safety plan? Would your gp work with you to find alternatiVes to hospitalization? Generally, hospitals in the US are only good for containment and meds (no therapy). It sounds like you may needed to get to the root of why you are self-harming more now and work on that.
Good luck (sorry for errors, my phone is not good on forums)

[adam_k]

I think it would depend on the doctor and the extent of the self harm. If the cuts are deep and life threatning then I believe they could. If they are minor cuts and you don't appear to be an immediate danger to yourself then probably no. My hospitilaztion was voluntary and I released myself. If it is involuntary it will probable be difficult to be released.

Try to keep yourself safe and do what is best for your own health.