How to Get a Paranoid Schizophrenic Committed

Paranoid Schizophrenics suffer from a subtype of schizophrenia that is marked by delusions or auditory hallucinations, usually persecutory or grandiose in nature. These delusions may predispose some Paranoid Schizophrenics toward violent or suicidal behavior. If delusions become acute and are accompanied by intense anger, anxiety or fear, the person may be at greater risk for causing harm to him or herself or to others. Hospitalization can be useful for maintaining the person's safety and the safety of others while medications are adjusted. The intensive therapy provided in the hospital can help provide emotional stability, reduce anxiety, enhance reality orientation and temper delusions. Commitment is a last resort, and not the intervention of choice. Most states have laws that limit how long the person can be hospitalized against his or her will. The person will likely receive longer, more effective treatment if they go in the hospital voluntarily.

Instructions

Evaluate the Situation and Try to Obtain Agreement to the Hospitalization

• 1

  Talk with the person. If you can, talk with his or her psychiatrist, counselor, therapist or physician. Include the person in the discussions with their providers to minimize his or her delusions about what is being said. Determine, with help from the professional, if a hospitalization is indicated. Try to secure a consensus that the person would benefit from the hospitalization. Ask the provider which hospitals they recommend.

• 2

  Allay the person's fears. Focus on potential benefits they will get, such as (a) having medical supervision while their medication is altered and (b) getting relief from anxiety and distress.

• 3

  Discuss how they can be released from a voluntary hospitalization by asking to be discharged. State laws differ in the time frame, but the hospital must release them within 2 to 7 days if they do not pose a danger to themselves or to others.

• 4

  Discuss how there are laws to protect them. They can petition to be released even if the hospital staff believes they pose a risk. Let them know that so long as they are not at risk to cause harm to themselves or to others, they will be released.

• 5

  Try to obtain their verbal agreement to voluntarily go into the hospital.

Determine If Commitment is Necessary and Mobilize Resources

• 6

  The paranoid schizophrenic may tend to resist hospitalization, even if it is necessary. If so, consult with their providers. If a provider agrees that there is a risk that warrants involuntary hospitalization, then turn the process over to the provider. Most states have laws or regulations that require licensed professionals to report to appropriate agencies if they make the clinical determination that a person is at risk to cause harm to themselves or to others.

• 7

  Prepare yourself to possibly testify in court. You may be called upon to provide evidence of the person's risk of harm. Most states mandate a legal hearing within 24 to 48 hours of the involuntary hospitalization to establish proof that the person poses a danger to their self or to others.

• 8

  If the person clearly needs to be hospitalized immediately, call 911.

Prepare for the Hospitalization

• 9

  If the hospitalization is voluntary it may be important to call the person's health insurance company before the hospitalization. Ask about coverage of voluntary and involuntary hospitalization. Determine if preauthorization is required, and find out if there are other limits such as what hospital should be used.

• 10

  You can try to influence where the person is sent if they are committed against their will, but it is more likely that the police will take them to the nearest psychiatric hospital that has beds available. If you have obtained insurance information already, you can request that the police take the person to a particular hospital.

• 11

  Whether they are committed or go voluntarily, you can help with packing. The person will need clothing, grooming and personal hygiene items in the hospital. Other useful items to pack include identification, insurance information and reading material.

• 12

  Help the person make arrangements to be away for up to 10 days. Their employer should be informed that they are in the hospital. Make appropriate arrangements for childcare and pet care.