Does my Mom have the authority to place me in a mental hospital for having certain fears, anxieties, and OCDs?

Question

I'm 27 years old. Going on 28 in December...My Mom threatened me the other day to place me in a mental institution while we were arguing. However, she may just have said it out of anger. I don't know. If she wasn't just saying it out of anger, could my Mom place me in a mental hospital against my will?

Some of my mental conditions are fear of riding in a car, checking locks on the doors more than once, afraid of big cities, afraid of bugs, washing my hands constantly...etc...It all sounds normal to me as other people have the same issues as me...

My Mom claimed to me that all she needs to do is to say I'm "mentally ill" and the hospital will take me. I think that's bogus and I don't think she understands the laws...

I've NEVER been at danger to myself or others and I've never had any medical history problems with mental health....I live in Wisconsin

Answer 1

Since you're an adult. court would first have to declare you incompetent or a danger to yourself or others. Or you would have to agree to go.

If your OCDs are interfering with your ability to lead a normal life, you should probably get treatment. A lot of people "check" things more than once. I check to see if my alarm is set at least twice every night, and sometimes get up to see if the doors are locked. These compulsions can actually get out of hand, but you would probaby know if this is the case. It can be treated on an outpatient basis, and doesn't require hospitalization!

She can't legally judge you to be mentally ill! A doctor would have to do that. It sounds like she's trying to scare you into changing some behavior that is bothering her. Also, not all mental illnesses have to be treated in a hospital. There are medications that can help you with your conditions.

One thing she CAN do is ask that you be examined by a court (doctor) for committment. If the doctor doesn't think you are ill enough to be committed, they won't do it. She can't demand that they committ you based on her own personal preference.

Answer 2

Chandra,

To answer your question fully, we would require further information. Which state due you live in, so we can look at the applicable laws? Have you a history of mental illness? If so, what diagnosis have you received?

In short, people can be sent to mental hospitals for treatment against their will. However generally speaking the laws yardstick for determining whether this is appropriate is whether a person is a danger to themselves or others. The evidence that your mother would need would, depending on the applicable laws, be one or two medical opinions from registered pyschiatrists. You could challenge your mothers action, but would need a lawyer and medical opinion that supports your case that you are fine.

Finally, some mental illnesses are characterised by a lack of recognition of the illness by the sufferer. You may not know that you have an illness. If you have any doubts, go privately to a psychiatrist and get an opinion on yourself.

Answer 3

I am so surprised at the number of people who say she cannot do it. SHE ABSOLUTELY CAN!!! Without a doubt, she can have you admitted against your will for observation. I worked at our local hospital in the security department and it happened all the time. I had to apply leather wrist and ankle restrainsts to patients.
If your Mother calls the police and says you are a danger to yourself or others, the police will investigate. If you admit to your fears, phobias, and the other "crazy" stuff you admitted to in your question, they will take you for observation. (If you deny it they will say or think why would the mother be so specific in her accusations, thus you will seem even more crazy by being in denial about your "illness". So don't lie, but more about that later.The reason the police will take you for observation is because if later on you hurt yourself or someone else, your family could sue. So, the cop, just to cover his butt will probably take you to the hospital, plus he or she would feel terrible if they left the scene and then later found out you killed yourself. They would have to live with that forever. Do you take psych medication? Have you ever been diagnosed with mental illness? The answer to your question is: Yes she can do it. Other people will tell you she needs a judge and a doctor and a priest and a rabbi and four witnesses. All I know is she can call the cops and they will probably take you for observation. If the cops do question you, no matter what remain calm. Do not interrupt them or your mother. Keep praising your mother for her concern but emphasize that you may be "a little strange sometimes, aren't we all??? Ha ha ha. My Mom's just worried" but you are not a danger to yourself or others. Then tell them that if it would make her feel better you will go right then to your doctor's office (if during office hours) so she can see there's nothing to worry about. If it's not during office hours tell the police you will go with your mother to the doctor's office first thing in the morning. At least that way, you're in control and not in custody. Also, your doctor will probably explain to your mother that you are not a danger to yourself and that her threats only increase your anxiety. Later on you will have evidence from the doctor about your mother and you can get a temporary restraining order or something in writing so if she ever calls the police again you can so them the document and then you'll have something in writing.
You may just want to stay away from your mother for awhile. At any rate, Good luck and I wish you well.

Answer 4

Your Mom's remarks were almost certainly made in the heat of anger. You were arguing and things are said during arguments. Things that aren't necessarily true or sincere.

Your Mom may actually believe she has this power, but unless you have been declared incompetent and she is your guardian, she is mistaken. If this was the Soviet Union or WWII Germany and your Mom was KGB or SS, then she would have teeth in her threat. Today in this country it would require a court order to commit an adult to a mental institution against their will. In extreme cases people may be held up to 72 hours for evaluation but even then the committing official will not proceed with haste.

BTW, almost everybody is afraid of something, as well as being compulsive about something. Frankly from your descriptions I'd say your Mom may need help as much or more than you do. If your Mom considers you a problem you may want to remind her of who built you...

Oh yeah, "Disclaimer": I am not a Dr., I have been a patient.

Answer 5

No she cannot have you placed in a hospital. She can petition the court to have you evaluated and if the doctors come to the conclusion that you are a danger to yourself or others then the judge can have you placed in a hospital for 30 days. But you are the only one, at 27 years old, who can put you in a hospital.

I also think that maybe your mother has a history of emotional abuse towards you, though I may be wrong. But I can't understand a mother threatening her child with something so terrible just because of an argument otherwise.

Answer 6

You're 27 and living with your mother. If you cannot go live on your own, she might be able to, if she takes you to the hospital for an evaluation first, and they say you would benefit from being admitted.

What are your fears, anxieties, and OCD behaviors? If you have these, you should go ahead and at least see a counselor or psychiatrist (even better), as it might be possible to live a normal life if you can get to the bottom of those things and heal.

Your mother can only act on your behalf if you do something that would give her cause to either call the police or have you examined at an ER or such a place.

Answer 7

You would need to be exhibiting far more disastrous symptoms that what you are describing here. And your mother's claims would have to be substantiated.

As for against your will....cannot happen, unless of course you present yourself as a danger to yourself and/or others. So, calm down, perhaps seek some counseling for the OCD behavior. I suffer from mild phobias, at least that is what my psychologist tells me...I rather think they are major phobias.

As for your relationship with your mother.....step back and examine it. If this threat was in anger, then she full well knows how you feel about it. Talk to her when you are NOT antagonistic towards each other. Let her know that your problems are not fodder for fighting. I hope you are not living with her.

Answer 8

No..your mom cannot put you in a mental hospital against your will unless it's a 302 order, which would mean that you are a danger to yourself or someone else. Generally reserved for the suicidal or homicidal. Anyway, it doesn't sound like this is the case, so don't worry about it. However it does sound like you have OCD. Please get some help for it.

Answer 9

The way you words your sentence and the justification for your dilemna, I don't think you need a mental hospital. Looks like someone else does. By the way, no one can place you in a mental hospital unless recommended by an authority, after a thorough evaluation. It's the law.

Answer 10

Uh, no she can't! Phobias, anxiety are not grounds for locking someone in a mental hospital. If that would be the case, A LOT of people would be there.
You can make your own decisions, you're an adult, i don't see how she could do it. Anyway it's a nasty thing to say it to your child. Try to argue less with your mom.