I was told I MUST go impatient. Need help here

[terriblememories]

I'm being driven currently but am wondering whether I should just get a ride home once I'm dropped off. I don't know how far they will go for it. They're already off work.
Previous suicide attempt a few days ago, denied current suicidal thoughts. I described my attempt as simply tying a noose and then backing out.

 

[a.dream.of.a.dream]

Driven by who? Unfortunately once we share that we not only made plans, but also almost acted on them. That it certainly opens the possibility of someone saying you should go inpatient. not saying you need to. just think through any consequences of whatever decisions you make at the moment.

 

[DeadManLiving]

By who? Police, crisis worker, therapist/psych?

 

[Whale_bones]

The requirement for involuntary hospitalization is "imminent" danger to self, but unfortunately that can be interpreted very differently depending on who you're talking to. Some mental health professionals will consider that to be a few hours, some 24 hours, and some weeks or even months. Your best bet is to say in a calm way that you're not suicidal, that the urge came and went, talk about the things you have to live for (pets, family, etc.)

It also depends on who you told first. If it was a friend or family member, that shouldn't have much impact. If it was a therapist or other MH worker, they can influence what happens. They really shouldn't be forcing you inpatient for something that happened a few days ago where you weren't physically harmed at all, but it is a possibility.

 

[terriblememories]

By who? Police, crisis worker, therapist/psych?

psych

The requirement for involuntary hospitalization is "imminent" danger to self, but unfortunately that can be interpreted very differently depending on who you're talking to. Some mental health professionals will consider that to be a few hours, some 24 hours, and some weeks or even months. Your best bet is to say in a calm way that you're not suicidal, that the urge came and went, talk about the things you have to live for (pets, family, etc.)

It also depends on who you told first. If it was a friend or family member, that shouldn't have much impact. If it was a therapist or other MH worker, they can influence what happens. They really shouldn't be forcing you inpatient for something that happened a few days ago where you weren't physically harmed at all, but it is a possibility.

psych

also the worker who just assessed me at the hospital

Driven by who? Unfortunately once we share that we not only made plans, but also almost acted on them. That it certainly opens the possibility of someone saying you should go inpatient. not saying you need to. just think through any consequences of whatever decisions you make at the moment.

rideshare app. i wish i knew this beforehand. i heard that you could only be committed against your will if only if you had serious plans in the future

 

[Whale_bones]

i wish i knew this beforehand. i heard that you could only be committed against your will if only if you had serious plans in the future

Yeah, that's unfortunately the common understanding and assumption, but it's not accurate. You can look up the mental health statutes in your state (or country), as they vary somewhat from place to place. In the US atleast, the wording is very vague, so it can be interpreted by whoever you're talking to. If you see any other MH professionals besides the psych, you could contact them if you think they'd be supportive, as having a professional on your side will hold a lot of weight.

 

[terriblememories]

Yeah, that's unfortunately the common understanding and assumption, but it's not accurate. You can look up the mental health statutes in your state (or country), as they vary somewhat from place to place. In the US atleast, the wording is very vague, so it can be interpreted by whoever you're talking to. If you see any other MH professionals besides the psych, you could contact them if you think they'd be supportive, as having a professional on your side will hold a lot of weight.

It says I am protected against treatment that violates consent unless it is an emergency (which is defined as being a danger to myself TODAY, i have read). the evaluator said that i will likely be petitioned against my will if i do not admit myself anyway, since i meet the criteria of being a danger to myself. i am not sure what to believe or what to do honestly. i'm in the hospital waiting room still currently

 

[Whale_bones]

It says I am protected against treatment that violates consent unless it is an emergency (which is defined as being a danger to myself TODAY, i have read). the evaluator said that i will likely be petitioned against my will if i do not admit myself anyway, since i meet the criteria of being a danger to myself. i am not sure what to believe or what to do honestly. i'm in the hospital waiting room still currently

When you say you've read that it's defined as today, do you mean it says that in your local statutes or laws? If so, that would be some protection and you could bring that up to the evaluator. If you've read it in other places, unfortunately that doesn't mean it will be applied here.

What you can practically do now will depend on your resources. The most helpful thing would be to have another MH professional who already knows you to advocate for you. If you don't have that, then having a friend or family member with you can also influence the person doing the evaluation to respect your rights. I'm really sorry you're in this situation, it absolutely shouldn't be this way. I just try to be honest because I think people should know the facts about this, and I wish someone had told me earlier.

 

[BrainSplatter]

It says I am protected against treatment that violates consent unless it is an emergency (which is defined as being a danger to myself TODAY, i have read). the evaluator said that i will likely be petitioned against my will if i do not admit myself anyway, since i meet the criteria of being a danger to myself. i am not sure what to believe or what to do honestly. i'm in the hospital waiting room still currently

Yeah If the doctor genuinely believes there's still a significant risk of harm so any threat to yourself or others they will section you, even if you decline suicidal thoughts your emotions or behaviour might say otherwise and with a history of attempts that already poses a risk but they can't just section you on your history alone. Honestly I'd just go voluntarily and play into their hand say 'if you believe somethings wrong then I'll go your the professionals you know best' then act as if everything is ok. You'll have more privileges being voluntary - you get unescorted leave and can self discharge but this has to be signed off by a psychiatrist if they still think you're a danger to yourself they'll section. It's one thing saying you don't have suicidal thoughts it's another making them believe your not suicidal but if you wanna get out of there that's what you need to do or there's always another option recovery I guess…

 

[DeadManLiving]

Were you offered voluntary care?

 

[terriblememories]

Turns out if they do, it probably wouldn't go through. At least, that's what the seasoned staff I spoke to at the hospital claimed.
I had went through evaluation, but had voluntarily left during the in-between process. They said that the fact they just allowed me to leave meant a doctor had not signed off on an order to commit me against my will, the court would likely agree with the doctor.

Evaluations staff had pressured me SO HARD into coming and claimed that I probably would be admitted, since I met the criteria of being a danger to myself. However, after I walked out, I requested to speak to someone else about it and was presented with the information above. Ironically, what made me feel like i was being BS'd by them was the way they said: "it's for your own benefit", as well them bringing up some suicide statistic that I knew was completely wrong.

Basically, I was manipulated by a psychiatrist and hospital staff.

(I hope this doesn't reveal too much personal info…?)

 

[knowledgeseeking]

Shit. I'm so sorry. A doctor can put you in 72 hour hold if they do believe you are in imminent danger to yourself. It does change state to state and county to county but without a court order most places cannot keep you past 72 hours. I'm guessing that in your conversation you didn't necessarily say you were in immediate danger but in some way agreed to further help. I hope you can just leave and have the means or support to just get a ride back once you arrive should that be your choice