My father in law is schitzo, literally! should I do something? HELP!!!!!!?

Question

I'm pretty positive that if the right people truely accesed my father in law, that they would diagnose him with schitzophrenia. He lives alone and has spraypainted very paranoid words on his ceiling. He has spraypainted his windows red, so nobody can look in. He recently told me that somebody broke into his house and stole a little green army man that he had. He pisses on his ex wives chair that is still in the house... he rarely if ever showers. He has shot holes in his house, including 2 TV's, and mirrors. He has been in a looney bin 2ce in the state of Maine, but they wont keep people against their will without a court order. I feel like he could be a headline waiting to happen. I dont live in Maine anymore. Should I butt out or do something... if i should do something, what should I do?

My husband would probably tell me to leave him alone.

Plus, I would feel really mean calling the cops to go to his house. But on the other hand, the man needs help!

Also, is it really my place as a daughter-in-law to initiate this?

Answer 1

well first of all, the state will only commit him against his will if he is a physical danger to himself or someone else. this is hard to do and requires the concurring opinions of at least 2 mental health professionals, depending on the state. in order to have him committed, then, he would need to be something more than just crazy. the vast majority of people with schizophrenia are not violent so it is very hard to go through with involuntary commitment procedures.

the best thing you could probably do would be talk to your husband and see if he might be able to encourage his father to get help. if they have a good relationship, your husband may be able to help. if you feel comfortable talking to your father in law, try to bring this up to him when he seems like he might be receptive to the suggestion (ie, when he's a little more lucid and in touch with reality)

Answer 2

I suggest you contact the police to see what can be done. At minimum, it is usually illegal to fire a gun within city limits.

Likely, they will need to be shown that this man is a danger to himself or others to be placed in the psyc ward, temporarily.

You can also check with his neighbors - ask what they know.

You might also check with Adult protective services/ Social Services office. Look into what is required to have a compentancy hearing - where this man is given a legal gardian, and likely placed into a longterm living situation.

If and when he is placed into a long term care home - he will be evaluated and appropriately medicated in order to have him remain calm in the presence of others.

This can be a headache to work toward this end, but this is showing true care and love for this man who cannot help himself.

---Yes, you may feel awful making these calls and contacts -- that is just the way it is, very necessary. No one else in the family has had the guts to do what needs to be done. Think of the alternatives -- he could come and live out his old age with you. Know you are genuinely helping.

Over all, I would not take a child into his presence in his current home - it just doesn't sound safe.

Answer 3

Eccentric behavior is not enough to diagnose a person as having schizophrenia. In most states it is necessary for a person to be proven a danger to himself or others in order to get them involuntarily into a state hospital for treatment. I would suggest voicing your concerns to the members of your family and take their advice on what to do. You can look up "schizophrenia" on Yahoo! search for more details about the symptoms and characteristics of the various facets of the disorder.

Answer 4

If someone is a danger to themselves or others, then intervention is necessary. It sounds like he fits both criteria, especially shooting things in a paranoid psychosis.
You need to contact the police, or a local mental health hotline, or a local hospital. They can take it from there.
It's sometimes best for you to stick around for the evaluation if you can, because he will try to lie and shmooze his way out of it, as they often do.

Answer 5

If you feel that he could be a danger to himself or others (and not simply weird) then you should report this to the authorities (with the blessing of your husband of course). They will probably send someone over to the house to evaluate him.

Answer 6

If you call the cops to go there, he would definatly freak out.Let your husband, or another family member make a decision to do something. I'd stay far away from that man,he sounds scary.Who does his shopping and pay his bills?

Answer 7

Talk it over wirth your mate first, but it sounds like your father in law is a Steven King Novel waiting to happen and perhaps you should seek help for him. He is definately showing dangerous tendencies where he could be dangerous, not only to others , but to himself also.