Behavioral Hospital and 72 Hour Holds

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2007
Behavioral Hospital and 72 Hour Holds
6
Tue, 01-09-2007 - 2:51pm

I don't know if this is true everywhere, but in my state psychiatrist can commit you instantly against your will, without question and without having to answer to anyone.

I sought the assistance of a psychiatrist six days after my suicide attempt. I was fully stabilized at that point even though I am bipolar. I was committed instantly after I specifically said that I was not a threat to myself or others and I just wanted help to make sure nothing like that ever happened again. I was seeking help. I was not seeking abuse.

It was nearing a weekend so my 72 Hours ended up being closer to six days. Apparently weekends do not count in the, '72 hour hold.' My lawyer and family could not help me. Even though everyone told the horrible psychiatrist this was the first time and they trusted me, he said my home life was too unstable and I couldn't be trusted.

My Questions are... What are you state laws concerning being committed? What is your experience?

Personally both of my commitments at ages 16 and 27 fell on a Thursday. In both cases I was held longer than 72 hours because it does not count on the weekend. I have yet to figure out why. I don't know the details of my first imprisonment because my parents were the ones who initiated it.

Lin

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-12-2004
Tue, 01-09-2007 - 5:11pm

Hi Lin,


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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2007
Tue, 01-09-2007 - 5:24pm

>>>But I am curious as to why your attorney couldn't do anything--or didn't try?<<<

The attorney is my father-in-law. He tried and he failed. I was in the facility when I was informed that the doctor had decided to detain me. I immediately contacted my lawyer who assured me what they were doing was not legal. He spent eight hours trying to contact the people in charge. For eight hours the psychiatrist and hospital administrators dodged his calls. They told me they would call him, but they never did. They only used that as an excuse to make time pass without me continuing to, 'rattle my cage.'

Eventually they took my cell phone, refused me phone access and said that I could no longer speak with my lawyer. They said it was futile and nobody had ever got the psychiatrists rules overturned.

I made a decision after fighting an entire day. That decision was to submit. After the doctor bragged about how he had successfully dodged my lawyer for an entire day I realized he was in control. I did need help, just not inpatient help.

Could I have gotten out? Probably not before the 72 hours. They would play games and avoid my lawyer for 72 hours.

Lin

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-2005
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 9:19am

I live in Canada. I don't know about the states. I know that the same thing applies for suicidal, homicidal or patients that can't take care of themselves. Form 1 72 hrs. I thought it did count the weekend but I'm not sure.


In my experience however SI or even SU thoughts don't always get you formed.


I don't know what else to say but if you have specific questions I'll be happy to answer them

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Amanda

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-2005
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 9:23am

It sucks that they said you couldn't get out of there even with an attorney and they have no right to deny you phone access. At least in my hospital you can't use cell phones, but they let me keep it for the phone numbers I had in it and they had a pay phone to use.


As far as your attorney not being able to do anything I don't agree with that. When my roommate was formed for a second time on a 2 week form she got all up in arms and contacted the patient's advocacy advisor and the form got overturned. The doctor who formed you can overturn it at any time.

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Amanda

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2007
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 9:54pm

>>>It sucks that they said you couldn't get out of there even with an attorney and they have no right to deny you phone access.<<<

Being hospitalized against your will is a game. It is all about control. Generally they have it all and you have none. Anything you say can and will be twisted and used against you. I have a plan if I ever get imprisoned by so called, 'mental health professionals,' again.

A) I will contact my lawyer.

B) I will refuse to sign anything.

C) I will refuse to speak with anyone other than my lawyer and doctor.

>>> As far as your attorney not being able to do anything I don't agree with that.<<<

He is an effective lawyer in most cases, but they lied and juggled the day past when release would be possible. I submitted because I didn't want to go through the anticipation.

>>>The doctor who formed you can overturn it at any time.<<<

The doctor was a sadistic individual. He wouldn't overturn anything. I should have been a sadist right back, but at the time I was too afraid.

Lin




Edited 1/11/2007 10:54 pm ET by lindseyfuller
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-12-2004
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 10:25pm

Hi Lin,


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