My son is 22 yrs old and mentally disturbed. I have taken him to the local MHMR but they only prescribe anti-depressant and anti-psychotic drugs. No counseling or coping skills. He can not hold down a job and cannot seem to take care of himself. I don't know what to do with him. I am afraid he will end up on the streets. I am afraid to let him come home to me because he gets physically and verbally abusive towards me for imagined wrongs I have done him. I have thought about trying to have him involuntarily committed but I don't know how and I don't know how I would pay for it. I have a very limited income. If anyone has any advice or knows of any groups suitable for my situation, I would love to hear about it.

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Originally Posted by twsayers

My son is 22 yrs old and mentally disturbed. I have taken him to the local MHMR but they only prescribe anti-depressant and anti-psychotic drugs. No counseling or coping skills. he can not hold down a job and cannot seem to take care of himself. I don't know what to do with him. I am afraid he will end up on the streets. I am afraid to let him come home to me because he gets physically and verbally abusive towards me for imagined wrongs I have done him. I have thought about trying to have him involuntarily committed but I don't know how and I don't know how I would pay for it. I have a very limited income. If anyone has any advice or knows of any groups suitable for my situation, I would love to hear about it.

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If you have a health department there, there should be a mental dept there also. There they can get him going in the right direction. You also need to explain that he is physical abusive toward you. Maybe there is a home he can be in. Here in macon there is ARC and River Edge. It is plain that he needs more than just meds. Please don't wait.

[QUOTE=twsayers] I have thought about trying to have him involuntarily committed but I don't know how and I don't know how I would pay for it.QUOTE]

You don't have to pay for it. In most cases, some degree of evidence that the person is a danger to themselves or others is sufficient cause for a temporary (48-72 hour) involuntary "committal," in which he would be professionally assessed.

Keep pushing your local MHMR to supplement their chemical treatments with some counseling and follow-up. True, they are overworked; however, you know what they say about that ol' squeaky wheel...

My advice? Start squeaking. LOUDLY.

Is your son his own guardian? Did you ever petition the court for full guardianship of him? If you did not, then you are not responsible, if he were to be committed to a facility. He needs help. You need help. I don't know where you live but in you live in the United States, your state should have a regional human service center or a similar place where people with mental health disorders can receive treatment, counseling, job coachings, etc.

A good online resource is the National Institute of Mental Health - NIMH · Home

From what you have described, I agree with you on not having him come home to you. If he did start in on the physical and verbal aggression, call the police. Have him removed. Maybe that would force the issue on his treatment. You are right about the drugs - whiole drugs can do a world of good, sometimes it is just not enough to balance out the life.

To add to what Shy has posted above me...

Try NAMI

NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness-The Nation's Voice on Mental Illness-Formerly National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

They are great with help in the area you so desperately need.