Can you force someone to see a doctor against their will?!
Question: My mother-in-law is showing signs of schizophrenia. She refuses to see a doctor, what can we do? Can we get a doctor to see her anyway?
Answers: My mother-in-law is showing signs of schizophrenia. She refuses to see a doctor, what can we do? Can we get a doctor to see her anyway?
Im afraid not!! She has to go at her own will. Mental health services will only become involved if she becomes a danger to her self or others i'm afraid. For advice on how you can help her to realise she has a problem and thus see a doctor you could always ring one of the mental health charities who can offer you some help and advice to deal the situation. Charities to call are Saneline, The Samaritans, Mind. Just visit their website whereby you will find contact numbers. Alternatively visit your GP and explain your situation. They can advise you, and also possibly give you details of various organisations to visit.
You could also print out material about Schizophrenia (available from the websites of the organisations I have mentioned above) and give it to your mother-in- law to read. For many people, a lack of understanding of mental health problems leads people to fear seeking help as they think they will be instantly institutionalised. Thus by leaving out some material for your mother-in-law to read about what happens when diagnosed with a mental health problem could help take that fear away.
Here is a good link that offers in-depth information about schizophrenia and explains how to get people to seek help, and what happends when they seek help. It also offers links to further organisations.
http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Bookl...
No,fraid not,you can only try and coax her,but in the end it has to be her own choice,WEhave a simmilar problem,but as to yet,she is getting by,we can only keep an eye on her,Blessings .
I have been told that the "magic words" to having someone committed for mental treatment involuntarily are if they are "a danger to themselves or others". So, if you have evidence that she is either exhibiting suicidal or criminal behavior, you may be able to proceed with that.
You should probably consult the nearest psychiatric hospital for more information on the steps to take and whether or not your mil's case fits the criteria.
Good luck!
My ex-husband threatened to kill himself, and when I called the doctor to have him sectioned, they wouldn't. I think they only get involved if they become unfit and dangerous for society.
Rather than force her, try to reason with her, even if it is on a child's level. Tell her you will bake cookies after she goes to this nice fellow's place and talks to him...and do it! If you promise, see it through.
If that doesn't work, try talking to the doctor first...sometimes, they can arrange a hospitalization to do an assessment of her condition. However, he has to know exactly her condition...no lies, hear?
Not until a doctor declares a risk to herself. My Grandma was the same way--and we had to stand by and watch as her condition worsened.
Best advice would be looking into getting medical power of attorney for her. That way you and your husband can make her medical decisions when the time comes.
Hope that helps...
everyone has the right to choose if he want treatment or diagnosis. it is unethical to force her to visit the doctor. just try to persuade her, tell her the benefits of early diagnosis. tell her it is not serious... try to persuade her to visit the doctor. if she doesn't want you can force her, let her do what she want. if she doesn't care about herself no one will care
You can't do much to make some one see a doctor against their will. However if she shows signs of wanting to hurt herself or others you might get the police to baker act her and then she would have to see some one. Look up baker act on the computer and see if it applies in your state.
I suggest you call your local mental health department and explain the situation.
Unless she is dangerous to herself or others you cannot force her to go. To be honest I can see why she is fearfull and hesitant to go. Mental health is the one section in the health care system you get treated like a criminal, and at any moment all it takes is a doctor to have you sent away, if you are already terrified and paranoid, this will only scare you more.
All you can do is encourage her to get help, let her know they try to treat people as much as possible outside institutions, and help her to see that there is a problem present. Just be there for her. You really cannot force her to get help unless she is a danger though.
you can always try and talk to her to persuade her. you can use whatever symptoms she may find the most nuisance (sleep problems usually work well for that) to ask her to see her doctor to get it sorted and then leave to the doctor.
if she trusts her GP - ask him/her for help.
if she still refuses, you've got no choice that wait untill she meets critera for mental health act assesment:
'it is necessary for the health or safety of the patient or for the protection of other persons that he should receive such treatment and it cannot be provided unless he is detained'
actually a MHA assessment can be called up by the nearest relative (it's usually the spouse/partner or the oldest child if not otherwise stated) at any time - the thing is, it not always resloves in the person being detained=taken to hospital against her/his will.
Hi Emma
Try these links to the Mind website
Understanding schizophrenia:
http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Bookl...
How to cope as a carer:
http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Bookl...
Mental health assessments:
http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Facts...
All the information is easy to read and understand.
You will be able to get some insight into schizophrenia as an illness, you say that your Mother in Law is showing signs of this, but you can't be sure unless she has been diagnosed by a professional. Diagnosing either yourself or someone close to you is never a good idea.
Unless there are reasons to believe that a person is either a danger to themselves or to other peopel it is not possible for you to make them see a Dr or to seek medical treatment.
The process for applying to have someone sectioned is detailed in the last link I've give, but it is not a simple thing to get done and can be distressing for all those involved.
I hope this proves useful.
Take care and good luck.
yes, the best way is to contact her Doctor and tell him/her of your concern.
the Doctor will send her an appointment and if she wont attend it he will come out to see her.
if she still refuses to let her Doctor examine her, he has the powers to section her where the police will taker her to a secure hospital.
i know that sounds all to much but it wont come to that, i had the same problem with my mother she would not go to the Doctors even if her leg fell off.
good luck hope every things OK..xx