Can one legally force a spouse to undergo a mental evaluation?

Question

My spouse shows several symptoms of being bi-polar. however he is in denial and insists there is nothing wrong with his wild ups and downs. His sister has been diagnosed wiath bi-polar manic depressive disease as well as his niece. Does this run in families. As a result of him not seeking diagnosis/treatment myself and our children are subjected to
what I call mental/emotional abuse. What can I do as his wife to get him the help he may need?

Answer 1

Yes, it runs in families. If he is a danger to himself or someone else go to your county courthouse to the probate judge's office & you can forcibly have him committed. I was told by more than one doctor if nothing else lie & say he said he was going to commit suicide. Personally I would rather tell the truth. Most likely if he is Bi-Polar the hearing you both will have to attend hopefully the same day will piss him off so bad he will show them exactly how badly he behaves.It usually works for my mother. At any rate when he gets home he will most likely not remember any of the episode or the hearing. Try to get him to sign himself in If he won't get him in the car carry him to the closest facility , probably located in your local hospital. If nothing else tell him you are sick or you want to sign yourself in & you need him to help you tell them what is wrong with you. Be creative.Take him there, without the kids, try to get him to sign himself in if he refuses take whatever measures are necessary to protect you & your children. Last time I told my mom I was taking her to get some aspirin because she wanted some & we didn't have any , You may need someone to help you hold him in the car I put her in the backseat between two people.

Answer 2

If he refuses to get help and you think he's crazy you are abusing your children by proxy when you let him be unstable around them. You can tell your husband you believe your children need you to make a stand, that you love him and want things to work out, and that you would like to remain by his side as his wife. However, you believe that it is in everyone's best interest if you seek help together. If he refuses to be involved in any help (refusing help is a symptom of bi-polar disorder) than you are obligated to do what is best for your children. I am actually very against divorce and only support it when it is necessary. In rare cases, amputation is the only way to save the patient.

Answer 3

If you feel he is a threat to you, your children, or himself you an force him to under go an evaluation most states call it the "72 hour hold" they will take him for at least that period of time to determine if he is mentally unstable... be prepared those this is a very rough thing to do i had to do it to my husband and it was hard to take him there and force it on him however they kept him a week and he came out much better and has been stable on his medications ... best of luck

Answer 4

Can you talk to his doctor about it? If not you may have to see an attorney in family law to find out your options. Bi polar cannot be self diagnosed, so of course he'll be in denial. Once diagnosed (if he does in fact have it) any denail will diappear. Denial as an ongoing symptom occurs with addictions, not mental illnesses.