Psychiatrists have authority?

Question

i've been seeing Psychiatrists on and off for a few years now, theres nothing wrong with me, i have visions, hear things etc but i grew up thinking it was normal, so well basically it doesnt affect me in any way, it just happens,had them from an early age(im22) they want me to go to some clinic thing and study me because they are really confused, but i keep refusing, i don't want to be a labrat, do they have the power to force me to go? i have to go in again this weekend for a check up and i'd like to know if i should be prepared to run off in case two blokes walk in with tranquilizers to take me away lol

i keep it hidden, and somtimes i get tired of hiding it and it will show in some way, friends family flip out and i get sent to the doctors, hence the back and forth for several years, i know im alright, as i said, i grew up asuming it was normal, everyone had it, but yeah thats not so, i guess i adapted to it, i beleive it is not my mind but somthing else, another force, it's pushing me in a diretion, but that just makes me sound crazy yes? i can't win, if they think im crazy it doesnt matter what i say, thats why im worried the will take me away, because there is nothing wrong with me

Answer 1

No, they do not have the power to tell you to do anything; they do have the power to temporarily commit you to a hospital (usually three days) if you are a danger to yourself or others.


However, I am dying to know why you are seeing a psychiatrist in the first place if, as you say, "basically it does not affect me in any way." Usually people see mental health professionals when their "issue" disrupts their daily life.

Can you explain why you are seeing a psychiatrist "for a few years now" and maybe we can help you more effectively.

Answer 2

i dont believe that they can unles syou are in a threat of hurting yourself or someone else, have you ever thought about spirituality, could these voices you are hearing be comeing from the spirit world. talk to youpsychiatrist about it being a phomenon. and see what he says. also wih visions this really sounds to me like you have a psychic abiity like a meduim, do a bit of searching around ill add some links here to help you look though these, you never know the penny may drop when you read these and all this time they have thought you had a mental unstability.....here is a few things to think about..............
Clairvoyance- Visionary
This is a person who will pick up a thought and see it. This person has the ability to transform a thought into a vision, symbol or in colour by using their mind's eye. If an artist, a decorator, a creative person, someone who mainly uses the right side of their brain were to become enlightened they would have the ability to read auras, our chakras, draw guides and this is how they would channel what they received because the ability to see images is their most heightened sensitivity..........
Clairaudience
Clairaudience is the art of hearing voices, music, and sounds that are not audible to the normal ear, and may not be of physical form. The word clairaudience comes from the French word meaning “clear hearing” and is also intermingled with other basic psychic phenomenon such as clairvoyance and clairsentience.
..........i will give you a site to go and look at surf through the site.. http://www.psychic.com.au/psychic_power.htm

Answer 3

Unless you are suspected of hurting yourself or others, no one can "take you away". However, if you have being seeing a psychiatrist for several years, there has to be a reason you keep going back. You are 22, so you are an adult and no one is forcing you to go. If you feel you are being pressured and are uncomfortable, maybe you should consider switching to a new therapist. If you are ok with your visions and voices, then maybe pursue life with no therapy for a while and see how you do. You'll never know until you try. Good luck and God bless.

Answer 4

They can't make you unless you show some legitimate evidence that you are a danger to yourself or others. If that is the case, then they can Baker Act you. Considering the legal consequences of being wrong, it is highly unlikely that will happen. If it does, it will be because you are wrong and you really need to go. That said, psychiatrists are experts on mental health, whereas you are not. If they really want you to submit to testing, you really should. Hearing visions and voices is NOT normal, and could be a sign of a serious mental or neuro-problem. Worst case scenario: it could kill you. I, for one, would not be willing to take that chance. All the power to you, though. Good luck!

Answer 5

Psychiatrists have the authority to put you into a psych ward for a very limited period of time, like 24 hours or 2 or 3 days, if you are a danger to yourself or others.

Running can lead to encounters with the police.

From what you say, you are very absorbed in thoughts that aren't productive. It is a very good idea to let mental health professionals help you work through these obsessions.

I know a guy who has spent his entire life homeless living in a pickup summer and winter for over 40 years, because he feels exactly like you do.

"They" are not out to harm you. Like any professionals, they can make mistakes, but it is better to work with them and take the medications they have which have been proved to help people like you and me.

Answer 6

No, unless ordered by a court through proof that you are a danger to yourself or others, you cannot be forced into treatment although they can keep you for 48 or 72 hours for 'observation'. You can be psychotic, dellusional and hearing voices, but you still have the right to refuse treatment. It's law. If your psychiatrist is telling you otherwise, I suggest you find a mental health advocate in your area. You do not need to be subjected to unwanted treatment, therapy, hospitalizations or experiment.

Answer 7

You don't sound too mentally ill although you do need to do something about finding someone who is both a clinician and probably have a belief system (whether to some higher moral standing or else to God).

You do have a decision over whether you would allow others to study you. In fact, you should be given forms to sign before they can lay any hand on you. But beware, of these people, in the first place, bc you are the one who is supposed to be 'sick', and , in the eyes of the law, the law is as blind as they are whom to believe!

You need to make your stand very clear. They have no right to take you in, if you have not signed any forms giving them the right to do so.

Answer 8

Are you in England? I am not sure of the laws there. If your visions and hearing things are not troubling to you, then you don't have a problem unless you are bothering or hurting others.
I would quit talking about your visions to anyone because they just want to say you are crazy and medicate you.
In some countries people who have visions are seen as special. In the western world we label them as mentally ill, medicate them to the point that they are unable to function and then call this dysfunction proof that you are mentally ill.

Answer 9

Keep your cool and tell your doctor you can make it to the appointment because you have other oblications. Be careful you don't get baker acted.. thats when they can take you away for your own good or so you don't hurt yourself or others...

Don't tell them about your visions anymore silly...

Answer 10

they "have" power to keep you there. but really you shouldnt go back because psychiatrist really have no scientific or real way of evaluating people they just give you pills. they assume things and dont really know. ask them what kind of scientific testing they have done to know there all these different types of depressions and illnesses!