When Should You Have Your Bipolar Family Member Committed?

In general, if a person with bipolar disorder is having an episode of either mania or depression, it is important to get them treatment as soon as possible. However, many times the person will be resistant to treatment if not outright hostile to the notion that something is wrong with them and they need help. It is at this point that you might want to explore having your family member committed to a mental health facility for treatment.

Many people do not know under what circumstances they can have their family members committed, and sometimes they can feel very frustrated knowing their family member needs help but they refuse to seek treatment. When I was first dealing with bipolar disorder in my family, I assumed I could only have the person in question committed if they were homicidal or suicidal, meaning the person would have to either attempt to commit suicide or homicide or threaten to do so. I often felt as though my hands were tied because the affected person in my family fell short of meeting these strict behavioral criteria. However, I learned that there are many other behaviors that bipolar people may exhibit that can signify they have become a danger to their health and safety or that of others. If you notice these behaviors below, document them because they may help your case in trying to get help for your family member. Note that people who are manic will tend to exhibit defiantly careless or violent behaviors, and people who are depressed tend to exhibit behaviors that are more neglectful of themselves.

Bipolar people who have become a danger to themselves or others may display any of the following behaviors:

1) Refusing to eat

2) Refusing to take prescribed medications for conditions other than bipolar disorder that the person may have

3) General carelessness or neglect that could endanger their lives, such as leaving the stove on, leaving candles burning, leaving the doors to their residence unlocked, etc.

4) Reckless driving

5) Promiscuity or other irresponsible sexual activity

6) Abuse of alcohol or other drugs

7) Going out alone late at night, or going out alone in dangerous neighborhoods

8) Taking an extremely confrontational or argumentative attitude, especially with strangers with whom the confrontations could escalate

9) Going outdoors wearing clothing that is inappropriate for the season, such as shorts and a T-shirt in cold winter weather

10) Child abuse or neglect if the individual has children that live with him or her

These signs all fall short of intended suicide or homicide, but in someone with a diagnosed mental illness like bipolar disorder, they can all signal that the person does not have the capacity to take care of themselves or others who may rely on him or her. They may not be intending to harm themselves or others, but their illness prevents them from understanding the potential impact of their actions. Knowing your bipolar family member is exhibiting any of these behaviors may help you in your quest to get them committed, and, hopefully, well once again.