My 23 year old girlfriend was tricked into going to a mental institution by her school, she is not crazy, nor suicidal. She has now been in there 2 days and 3 nights. We are trying like crazy to get her out, shes scared shitless and the doctors are trying to make her take all kinds of drugs that would **** her up. How does one get release frome the facility?
2007-09-27 22:40:00 · 11 answers · asked by nobody important 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
If she is in there, she must have some kind of mental health problem that justifies keeping her there. They can't just lock somebody up at random. They are required to document valid reasons for her admission in her file.
If you are not a doctor you aren't really qualified to decide if she needs to be there or not.
If she gives the proper consent, you should be able to get permission to talk to the hospital staff about why she is there and when she can be discharged. It's going to be a lot easier if she is cooperative. If she is uncooperative they might find a way to keep her longer.
2007-09-28 02:33:45 · answer #1 · answered by majnun99 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Assemble a legal team and fast. Get all of your friends together to help gather some money, and have the lawyers review the terms of her admission. Go over the "Patient Bill of Rights" you'll almost certainly find something that was violated.
People are saying that you can't get tricked into it, but you totally can. It happened to me. I tried to check myself into what was a rehab (for drinking) that promised exercise and hikes, caring counseling, visits, all that.
They took me away from my husband, took me down to a basement of a building, told me the rehab part was full and put me in the psych hall. The condition of the some of the people scared me (I hope they got the help they needed). There were no windows and an "isolation room".
That little cup full of pills is scary, they wouln't even tell me what it was, and grabbed my arm when I asked questions. I was denied a regular medication I take. Those pills made me so dizzy and I was trying to suck a bunch of water out of the sink to dilute the effects. I was scared sooo $hitless. I wasn't even allowed any food or juice until my doctor examined me 24 hours later. In an expensive private hospital.
And the thing about voluntarily leaving if you checked yourself in is not true. At least not where I live.
I'm not trying to freak you out, but I feel very strongly about this. Get lawyers, get her out. That's what my husband did. All his effort was so worth it, because once you're in there, you are powerless. All you can do is wait from help on the outside.
Very, very good luck to you!!
2007-09-28 10:42:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my experience it's actually quite difficult to be hospitalized for mental health problems unless you really need it. I could be wrong, just my experience. Perhaps your girlfriend has issues she isn't able to/can't admit too? It's hard to say without knowing why she's in there/how she was tricked. If she has been sectioned, which is what this sounds like, then there must have been reasons. My advice is to talk to the dr's who are treating her and see what they have to say. Once you know why she is being kept in there it may be possible to work with the dr's etc on a programme which will involve treatment as an outpatient instead., Sorry that you both are going through this, I hope the situation is soon resolved for the best.
2007-09-28 06:11:03 · answer #3 · answered by Sian 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How did they trick her and why ? What kind of behavior was she displaying ? Did she voluntarily enter the institution ? If she did, she has the right to voluntarily leave unless the hospital has reason to get an emergency court order for a 72 hour hold on her. If that is not the case then you will probably have to get an outside psychiatrist to examine her and go to the court system with the psychiatrists' evaluation that she is allegedly fine. A judge will then takeover plus retaining a lawyer might need to com into play. Get started and Good Luck to you.
2007-09-28 06:02:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
While I doubt that she was tricked, I do know that if she was mistakenly admitted, the doctors would have seen through that and discharged her almost immediately. How do you know whether or not she needs medications? Are you a doctor? Do you play one on TV? She may have issues that you dont know about. The doctor will decide when she is well enough. Not withstanding that within 5 days of an admission, there needs to be a hearing if she was admitted involuntarily. At least, that is how it is here in the USA.
2007-09-28 05:59:27 · answer #5 · answered by MHnurseC 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
just because someone is in a mental institution doesn't mean she is crazy or suicidal.
there must be something going on for her to be in there and for them to keep her so long. maybe she is not telling you everything.
what are they saying she has? and what are they making her take?
don't deprive her of the help she may need.
2007-09-28 07:38:21 · answer #6 · answered by Leah 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Basically she needs to play their games. Take the meds and play by the rules. Stay on her best behavior and open up when the counselor want her to talk about issues.
If she refuses to take meds and follow rules and not open up then she will be looked upon as defiant and will stay longer so they can help her.
2007-09-28 08:36:12 · answer #7 · answered by Peanut 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Speak 2 the people ask y they "think that she is crazy" and make them run some tests 2 prove that she is fine
2007-09-30 04:10:46 · answer #8 · answered by zompirewolf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've probably already tried this, but try discussing with the doctors logically... And I suggest calling her parents, if any, as well. If all seems to fail, go buy a strong baseball bat.
2007-09-28 05:50:20 · answer #9 · answered by Emily 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
if she was "sane" she wouldn't have been admitted. She may have stated or done something they thought was suicidal. Tricked, I don't think so. There was a real reason otherwise they wouldn't admit her. Is she in rehab?
2007-09-28 05:46:19 · answer #10 · answered by Tellin' U Da Truth! 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋