How to Be Admitted for Psychiatric Evaluation

Mental health disorders affect more than 20 percent of American adults each year, according to the WebMD's Mental Health Center. Mental health disorders include anxiety and panic disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia and general mood problems. If you feel as if your mental health problems are interfering with your ability to function -- you experience a drastic change in mood -- or you begin to experience problems with your current medications, you may need to be admitted to a hospital or psychiatric ward for an evaluation to correct the issue.

Instructions

• 1

  Schedule an appointment with your family doctor to discuss your mental health concerns. Your family doctor should have extensive medical records, including any past mental health issues or diagnoses. Your family doctor can make a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist for you to meet with.

• 2

  Meet with the psychiatrist or psychologist to discuss your mental health concerns. You should explain why you feel you need treatment at an in-patient facility. This is called a 201, or Voluntary Commitment. Reasons for needing a 201 in-patient evaluation, might include suicidal or homicidal thoughts, adverse reactions to psychotropic medications, or auditory and visual hallucinations.

• 3

  Go to your local emergency room if you do not have an appointment, or you feel your mental health issues are out of control. You can obtain a 201 Voluntary Commitment from your local emergency room by signing a contract agreeing to medical treatment, if you are 14 years of age or older. Act 147 allows your parent or guardian to sign the form, if you are under the age of 18.

• 4

  Sign the consent to treatment form for your 201 Voluntary Commitment. You will agree to medical treatment at an in-patient facility, as well as agree to give 72 hours notice, prior to leaving -- if you are leaving against medical advice. There is no time limit on a 201 Voluntary Commitment, as long as you and the medical staff agree you need mental health assistance.

• 5

  Discuss your mental health concerns with the staff psychiatrist or psychologist, who will perform an extensive psychiatric and mental status examination upon your admittance to a local psychiatric hospital or psychiatric ward.