Can I Have My Wife Legally Committed?

Question

I think my wife is bipolar and needs to get professional help. But she denies that she has a problem. I am afraid for the two children that we have. She has been mentally and physically abusive to me and the children. One day, I walked into the house and she had my 3 year old daughters face buried in the sofa and my daughter was trying her hardest to get away. She told me that she was trying to rid my daughter of a demon. She also drinks everyday and sometimes drinks while driving with our children in the car. I need help,but do not know where to turn.

Answer 1

If your wife is a danger to herself or others, you can request that the Mental Health Department do an assessment on her. And you will have to prove a reason for this. I do think you should do this as soon as possible , for her sake and for the sake of the children.
The other alternative is to go to the police, and they can arrange a psychiatric assessment. But this will require her to be charged.
The safety of the children must be paramount.

Answer 2

Yes, you can get your wife committed. But generally it takes two family members, if she is not willing to go volunteerily. I volunteerily committed myself after I had a nervous breakdown and things started getting weird, halucinations and delusions mainly. I had been going downhill for a while, but had been too scared to admit it to myself, let alone anyone else.
Be patient and understanding with your wife, her being mentally ill is not her fault, and I know from my own experience that it can make you feel very inadequate as a person. Try to talk her into going to see an every day doctor so as not to scare her, one mention of a shrink and she will freak. If you can get her to your GP, then if he/she thinks there is a problem, you can get referred to a hospital that will do a psych exam on her, and if they feel there is a problem, then she will be committed. Sometimes you don't even get a choice, she will be sectioned under the mental health act in your country and not legally be allowed to leave hospital. I feel your pain and worry mate, as I know what you are going through. Just try and be as supportive as you can, because chances are, she knows there is a problem and is terrified. My partner was my rock while I was in hospital and for a long time after as it takes a long time to come right again. I also made an agreement with my family, that should I become unwell again that they will look after me at home, and be an outpatient, as opposed to being committed again.
Get your wife some help as soon as you can. She sounds like she is at the edge of reason, and full blown psychosis is SCARY, for the sufferer and those around them. Good luck.

Answer 3

Forget the lawyer-how rude! Only if you plan to divorce or commit her. The laws vary from state to state on committed and how long (48 hours, 3 days, court needed). Google mental health and your state.

If you are committed to the relationship, go to a hospital or police, call a crisis line on the phone to ask for suggestions and best locations in your area. You may need to resort to a third party intervention to have your wife identify that maybe she is in denial of her own behaviors. Sometimes that may happen. If you can discuss it with her calmly, without the kids there, then do so.
Ask her to visit a psychologist with you. That will not prescribe meds but will give you both a safe place to talk.

INTERVENTION and ACTION is necessary before the kids are hurt.

As last resort, tell her that if she will not seek help that puts the family/marriage in limbo/jeopardy.

The statement you made of her trying to rid the child of demons. That sounds more severe than bi-polar. And definitely you need to contact mental health authorities where you live.
Email me if you need support.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

I had my son committed twice and it was the best thing I have ever done. He now realizes he has an illness and regularly takes his meds. However, it was a long road and it could change at any time.

I live in Michigan and the standard is "harmful to himself or others". You must go to your County and file a commitment paper. Then you take the commitment papers to your local police department who will pick your wife up and take her for an assessment. If the mental health people think she needs to be committed, she wil be taken to the nearest hospital to the mental health ward. She will be able to have a hearing in a few days where a psychiatrist who has been treating her will say whether or not she should be hospitalized further.

Good luck and I will pray for you.

Answer 5

Well I don't know about your state but in Texas you could legally take the kids and leave and there is nothing that she could do about it. She could call the cops but they will tell her that it is a civil matter and that there is nothing that they can do. You need to get the kids away from her. Talk to a lawyer and get something started soon. If she is found that to mentally incompetent then the state will put her away for treatment. Sometimes when a person is too mentally ill, they don't know that they are mentally ill. She probably thinks that she is 100% normal but I can tell you that she is not and you're all headed down a very dark road if you don't move quickly. Best of luck to you.

Answer 6

Most states have similar laws about such things.. if she is a threat to herself (talking about suicide or being self destructive..) or a general threat to those around her (endangering you or your kids/coworkers/friends) she can be forcibly committed.. but the police must be notified and observe the activity.. or a video tape must be presented as evidence at the time of the hearing.
This will allow for 72 hours of custody/monitoring .. during this 72 hours a decision can be made by doctors to consider her a threat and hold her longer.. or she can consent to treatment and be remitted to a mental health facility to work on treatment options.
To many people with bipolar disorder, they are so far in denial of what is happening or what they are doing.. they think they are fine and the whole world is wrong.
Get her some help any way you can.. but if she refuses treatment - and acts normal while doing so - they will often let her go.
Keeping yourself and your kids safe should be your priority. Good Luck to you with this.
I know with my bipolar disorder.. I have been more than a handful for my family at times.. it takes a long, long time to find normal again.. 17 years so far for me.
I don't know how any of them have found the strength or patience to put up with any of it.

Answer 7

I am a woman who, with the help of a psychiatrist and my husband's relative, had my husband placed in both a hospital and a long term VA care home.
If that had not happened, I would not be here today, we'd all have died by his hand. -- Broke my heart and was the hardest thing I've ever done in my entire life -- but necessary.

The situation with your family is definitely a serious one.
Now, about your wife. The way the laws are, and the way health care works, I suggest you come at the problem from a different approach -- in order to gain the protection your children need through the court system. Your first call would be to Human Services / Social Services / Child Protection. (Rather than trying to come-up with the number, call 911 and tell them/police who you need to talk with. They will get you connected appropriately.)

You will need some documentation - dates, times, names, places, actions and consequences - it helps if you have written verification of Dr. Hospital, Police or School.
Photographs help too, of injuries of the children.

The court can determine that the mother/ or the children need to be removed from the home. And court can also order this mother to be evaluated and treated by mental health, as well as other stipulations on visitation.

I know these kinds of calls and interviews can be very trying for you - tearing your heart out - but remember, she is the adult here, whether she can take care of herself or not, but your children are in need of a safe home, as they cannot care for themselves. You, as their stable parent need to protect your children - from whoever or whatever would harm them.

I know for a fact that the goal of Human Services is to see the children raised in the SAFE home of their parents - 1st As a 2nd priority, in the SAFE home of a relative. Only as a last resort would they go to foster care for as short a time possible until the parents can again takeover parenting safely.

May God be with you.
I HAVE walked a mile in your shoes. There is HOPE.

Answer 8

You most definitely can commit her.

I would see if she would be willing to go inpatient voluntarily first, so she doesn't feel attacked and cause you and your family problems in the future. But if she refuses you can commit her.

Go to your local ER and tell them that she is a danger to you and your children and that you need to get and ED (Emergency Detention) or an OPC (Order Of Protection)
You will go before a judge more than likely, who will ask you why you want the OPC and you will tell him your fears of her hurting the kids.

Good Luck. Don't wait too long, she sounds like she is suffering from some form of psychosis.

Answer 9

Call or take her to the nearest mental hospital to have her committed. They have to hold her for at least 72 hours. Those with mental impairments often deny there is a problem until they're ready to face them. Also, do not leave the children with her anymore.

Answer 10

Take her to a DR. not sure if you can have her committed or not. good luck! But, a good place to start would be with filing a police report the next time she hurts you or one of your kids. Getting something on paper is always a good start!