RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sess (Full Version)

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sirsholly -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sess (8/30/2008 4:22:22 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hopelessfool

If your over the age of 18 and do something that is deemed to be a harm to others, you can be commited.

a commitment has no age limit. A child cannot give consent to be admitted so some might see it as forced even though it is not.

quote:

Mind you saying how much you hate your life while cutting up food for dinner, can be seen as harm to yourself or others. All you need is one freaked out person to make a complaint to the police. If you have prior attempts, like the police being there to fix things ambulences and such (while they cant legally hold this against you...) Their opinion on how the situation should be assessed matters, and if the freaked out person reacts as many do, exerating, you can be commited, even if all you were doing was cutting up carrots for dinner saying how much your life sucks.


No. Sorry, but no. There must be documented proof. A forced commitment is not an easy thing to do, for the law officers, admitting physicians, etc. Your scenario is simply silly.


quote:

And Katie some shrinks get so fed up of the wah wah look at me shit, they commit you just to get you to stop asking for the attention.


[8|]










chamberqueen -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sess (8/30/2008 6:05:11 AM)

None of this information is meant to frighten someone out of seeing a therapist.  There are times when some of us need help in dealing with our problems.  I'm not ashamed to say that I've seen therapists.  I didn't understand that my depression was anger turned inward - I was trying so hard to never show "inappropriate" emotions that I bottled it all up inside and needed to learn how to release it properly. 

Many mental difficulties go back to a chemical imbalance, and a therapist is the most likely one to dispense the correct medication.  Some physicians will, but in most cases they will send the patient to a therapist.  Yes, some people use a condition such as depression as a crutch, and the therapist can also help them through this.

I keep thinking about a commercial I've seen that talks about how many friends you have that are willing to be there for you through different circumstances in your life, and finally asks you if you are a good enough friend to stand by someone that is mentally ill.  The numbers dwindle quickly.  It is hard work, and you need to make time for yourself so that you can be refreshed.  If you feel it is your place to stay and help then I wish you all of the best.  I stayed in my marriage long after most people would have walked out until the mental illness became great enough that I feared for my life.  There may come a time when you need to say "enough".




sub4hire -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sessions (8/30/2008 7:05:26 AM)

In California you either have to be a danger to yourself or others.  Or a judge can commit you.  You can thank Ronald Reagan for that legislation.

So, past attempts at suicide do not count.  He is safe.





wandersalone -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sess (8/30/2008 8:18:07 AM)

FR

YHMA the information in this link may be helpful to you and the other person.





velvetears -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sess (8/30/2008 9:05:01 AM)

he has to be a present danger to himself.  Even the guidelines for that can vary greatly.  i have had problems with my daughter for a few years now and she took a bottle of pills and was not admitted yet once in a session with her psychiatrist she said "i feel hopeless about my future" Wham... next thing i knew they called an ambulance and the police were there.  They really screwed up on that one as i believe it was a breach of trust and did more damage than good.  i went to the ER with her, i explained to the on call psychologist (he knew me from past visits with her) what had happened and he agreed and she was released. 

What happens all depends on who is "in charge"  If you are unfortunate enough to say the wrong thing to a control freak you may find yourself in a 72 hour lock down.




NuevaVida -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sessions (8/30/2008 10:27:58 AM)

Hi YHMA,

As others have stated, past threats or attempts are not means to be committed presently.  However, if he does tell a doctor he is thinking those thoughts now, the doctor can take steps to put him on psychiatric hold/observation.  Last year when I had my break down, I told my MD (not my therapist) that "Steeps cliffs are looking pretty inviting these days" and he immediate got an alarmed look on his face and said, "You can't even joke about that with me."  He's been my doctor for 10 years and knows my personality, and this was his way of giving me an opportunity to recant my statement, which I did and which he noted.  He said otherwise he would have to take some extreme measures which I may not have intended for myself.  I am grateful he did that.

As for the emotional blackmail, it is such a cruel thing to do to someone.  Having been in your shoes, my ex husband used to put that on me all the time, and it would leave me a wreck and feeling responsible for his well being.  He would call me at 3am, threatening to kill himself.  He would tell me things like, "Unless you come home there's no reason for me to live anymore," or, "OK, well you'll never see me again because it's over for me."  Things like that.  Such statements made it nearly impossible for me to let go.  The last time he threatened to kill himself (while on the phone with me) I was shocked to find myself saying, "OK, well, bye then." and hanging up on him.  I then called his brother and said, "You may want to call your brother; he's threatening to kill himself again" and that was that.

It's a year later.  The guy is still around, and I haven't talked to him in ages.  The threats were just threats to make me feel bad and get what he wanted.  They failed, so he stopped making them and is continuing with his life in whatever handicapped way he is capable of...WITHOUT my involvement.  Not buying into his threats was one of the healthiest things I've done for myself.  It was difficult as hell, and I cried a lot, but it was necessary. 

You are not responsible for his peace of mind.  He has options.  He knows what they are.  He can choose to take them or choose not to, but whatever he chooses to do, it's his choice and not your responsibility.  Loving someone sometimes means to stop enabling their unacceptable behavior.  Loving yourself means not allowing that person to drag you down with him.  You can not single-handedly save him.  It must be his choice.  If he chooses to leave this earth, it is not because you didn't save him.  Please don't put that on yourself.

I wish you well with this.  I know it is hell to go through.




Maynard -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sessions (8/31/2008 6:38:30 AM)

You know, to be perfectally honest.  Mental health professionals/doctors are not the only people that can get someone comitted.

Concerned parties (typically family) and bring documentation to the courts and a judge can order a person to a group home, to conseling, even to take his or her meds. 

So if your friend is making excuses why not to see a therepist.... a therepist might just be the least of his concerns. 




subeos -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sess (8/31/2008 7:41:17 AM)

If your a danger to yourself and others and clearly state that to a therapist or someone who cares. Then they can call the police. That is when things are decided. Then if decided so, 72 hours for evaluation and then released. i think it also depends on the relationship you have with your therapist, your family and so forth.

- There coming to take me away ha ha he he-
Sorry could not resist!

slave eos




DesFIP -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sess (8/31/2008 3:12:07 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: chamberqueen
Many mental difficulties go back to a chemical imbalance, and a therapist is the most likely one to dispense the correct medication.


Totally incorrect. A therapist, even a clinical psychologist with a PhD cannot write scrips for medication. Only a medical doctor can. If you don't have a MD or a similar medical degree such as PA or nurse practitioner then you cannot write out a scrip for medication of any sort.

Obviously a specialist in the field of mental health such as a psychiatrist or neurologist would be better than a primary.

Therapists do talk therapy not medication.




CalifChick -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sess (8/31/2008 8:23:36 PM)

At least one state (I want to say New Mexico, but I think also Louisiana) allows Psychologists (Ph.D.s) who take special training to write scripts for meds.  On the whole though, it is not allowed.


Cali




UmbraDomina -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sess (8/31/2008 9:47:16 PM)

I think your friend might be thinking of the Baker Act, which is a Florida law, which many states have adopted their own laws similar to it. You should check your local, and state laws to see if your area has a law similar.

The Baker Act -

The Florida Mental Health Act of 1971 is commonly known as the "Baker Act" in Florida. It was originally enacted, at least in part, because of widespread instances of elder abuse, in which one or more family members would have another family member committed in order to gain control over their estate prior to their death. Once committed, it was difficult for many of the patients to obtain representation, and they became warehoused until their death. The Florida State Hospital at Chattahoochee, Florida was notorious for housing many such patients.
The Baker Act allows for involuntary examination (what some call emergency or involuntary commitment). It can be initiated by judges, law enforcement officials, or mental health professionals. There must be evidence that the person a) has a mental illness (as defined in the Baker Act) and b) is a harm to self, harm to others, or self neglectful (as defined in the Baker Act). Examinations may last up to 72 hours and occur in 100+ Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF; originally Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, or HRS) designated receiving facilities statewide.
There are many possible outcomes following examination of the patient. This includes the release of the individual to the community (or other community placement), a petition for involuntary inpatient placement (what some call civil commitment), involuntary outpatient placement (what some call outpatient commitment or assisted treatment orders), or voluntary treatment (if the person is competent to consent to voluntary treatment and consents to voluntary treatment). The involuntary outpatient placement language in the Baker Act took effect in 2005.
The nickname of the legislation has led to the term "Baker Act" as a transitive verb, and "Baker Acted" as an intransitive verb, for invoking the Act to force an individual's commitment.




Alumbrado -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sess (8/31/2008 10:03:48 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CalifChick

At least one state (I want to say New Mexico, but I think also Louisiana) allows Psychologists (Ph.D.s) who take special training to write scripts for meds.  On the whole though, it is not allowed.


Cali



Louisiana used to allow Psy.Ds, not Ph.Ds, to prescribe at least in certain circumstances.  That was a while back though.




CalifChick -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sess (8/31/2008 10:43:38 PM)

I hate when you get my curiosity up so that I go and do research.

Louisiana's prescribing law passed in 2004, and it's for Ph.D.s with special training, known as Medical Psychologists (Medical psychologists are clinical psychologists who have earned an additional master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology). 


Cali






Alumbrado -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sess (9/1/2008 12:11:07 AM)

Before that in the 1990s, certain Psy.Ds could prescribe, although the one I know of personally also held a Ph.D in psychology as well as the second doctorate...




YourhandMyAss -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sessions (9/1/2008 9:48:28 AM)

I'm glad you got away from your x and realized you're not responcible for his mindset or his mental problems.  Sometimes I'd have this big worry that if we faught and I made him leave I'd have  any suicide attempts he made or actually succeded in doing on my
conscious for a very long time. he used to say if I left him he'd kill himself or if we broke up and he ever became homeless he'd kill himself, cause he WILL NOT be homeless again. He'd rather die first.

I've also come to realize it's not my job to fear what he might do in return for me doing what I may need to do to be healthy and happy. ,
quote:

ORIGINAL: NuevaVida

Hi YHMA,

You are not responsible for his peace of mind.  He has options.  He knows what they are.  He can choose to take them or choose not to, but whatever he chooses to do, it's his choice and not your responsibility.  Loving someone sometimes means to stop enabling their unacceptable behavior.  Loving yourself means not allowing that person to drag you down with him.  You can not single-handedly save him.  It must be his choice.  If he chooses to leave this earth, it is not because you didn't save him.  Please don't put that on yourself.

I wish you well with this.  I know it is hell to go through.




NuevaVida -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sessions (9/1/2008 3:52:39 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: YourhandMyAss

I'm glad you got away from your x and realized you're not responcible for his mindset or his mental problems. 

Me too!  And thank you :)

quote:


he used to say if I left him he'd kill himself or if we broke up and he ever became homeless he'd kill himself, cause he WILL NOT be homeless again. He'd rather die first.

You realize then (and perhaps he doesn't quite realize it) that this would be his choice and NOT your doing??  He is stating his preference of one option over another (or over several others).  This comes from him, not you.  If I chose to eat pasta tonight instead of burgers, how would that in any way be your responsibility.  Get it?

quote:


I've also come to realize it's not my job to fear what he might do in return for me doing what I may need to do to be healthy and happy.


You can be concerned, yes, but just don't own it.  You are responsible to yourself, first.  Without your own mental health, how can you possibly help someone else with theirs, ya know?  You've been on a road to health lately.  It shows, with your change of diet, exercising, and now this as well.  You're becoming strong and he isn't liking it.  Similar to my ex husband.  It scared him that I was becoming strong and he tried everything he could to hold me back.  That was the only tool (useless as it was) he knew to hang onto me, but it didn't work.  Everyone in life has choices.  And YOU have choices too - to continue being healthy with yourself, or to go back to something that made you unhappy.

I'm glad you wrote this thread, YHMA.  Hang in there with this.  It seems you're heading in the right direction.




RealSub58 -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sess (9/1/2008 3:59:40 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: impishlilhellcat

I don't know if they can commit you, but I do know by law they have to report it


to whom?
whose law?




RealSub58 -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sess (9/1/2008 4:10:55 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CalifChick

At least one state (I want to say New Mexico, but I think also Louisiana) allows Psychologists (Ph.D.s) who take special training to write scripts for meds.  On the whole though, it is not allowed.


Cali



God I wish this were true in WI.  Family practice MD's, Physicians Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Internists are allowed to prescribe. And they may know nothing about psychiatry. 

So many people on antidepressants or whatever and never a therapist or psychologist or pyschotherapist or psychiatrist to monitor effects.
 
My therapist and I have a contract if I ever feel that depressed again.
 
I do know of a woman who had an intervention done on her and she was committed, but by law could only be there involuntarily for 72 hours.

chachink $0.03 inflation and all






YourhandMyAss -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sessions (9/1/2008 8:49:42 PM)

Yes I do realize that, and fortunatly he's handling his times of depression much better, and has said while he still gets depressed and run down, his first impulse isn't just let me go off an die somewhere by myself.
quote:

ORIGINAL: NuevaVida

You realize then (and perhaps he doesn't quite realize it) that this would be his choice and NOT your doing??  He is stating his preference of one option over another (or over several others).  This comes from him, not you.  If I chose to eat pasta tonight instead of burgers, how would that in any way be your responsibility.  Get it?





catize -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sess (9/1/2008 9:26:22 PM)

In my state, a person who presents as a danger to them self or others must be asked to voluntarily accept hospitalization.  If they refuse, there are several options. If the doctor has heard them make these statements they write a letter to the court.  If the doctor has not actually heard the person say this, two people who have (relatives and or friends) can go to the courthouse and sign forms.
Either way, the documentation is taken to a judge and the judge decides if there is any merit to the report.  The judge has the right to dismiss the petition if he/she is not convinced that this person is a danger. If the judge is convinced, then steps are taken to get the person to the hospital.
Here in Iowa a hearing must be held within 48 (working) hours.  Most of the time, at least here, the person is then put on an out patient commitment’ that means they are discharged from the hospital and must follow up with their psychiatrist and take medication.  The commitment is reviewed every 6 months and if the person has complied with treatment and has improved, the commitment is lifted. 
It’s not a long drawn out process, its’ not a  life sentence.  The goal is to get them the necessary treatment in the least restrictive setting to keep them safe.




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