Hello,

Ihave dealt with this disease for over fourteen years now, each time we were successful in having my mother baker acted (state of florida) because she was a harm to herself and others; ie: not eating, not bringing kids to school, having kids and herself living on the street.
Since Jan of 06 she was showing signs of the disease paranaia, sever mood swings, hostility, her doctor changed her meds but same signs. We tried to baker act her, but she has become wiser and knows the correct things to say in order not to be committed, so they can't take her in. We also submmitted past medical history and previous behavior but because she is not currently a threat it was of no help. Her doctor is an ahole for lack of a harsher word! He refuses to have her commted and actaully charges me just to tell me he refuses to have her committed. She has cut off all contact from the world, she is taking care of herself according to the neighbors who say she looks healthy. I keep track of her spending and she has been grocery shopping and keeping up with her bills, she is basically no threat to herself or others, but knowing my mother like I do this is not the way in which she wants to live her life, much less her retirement years. Recently I found out she is planning to take a trip on her own to Europe. I am worried about her having a major episode in another country and she needs to be committed! The law seems to be of no help unless she makes threats or worse actually does something, what can I do? I am distraught over this because I know its just a matter of time before it gets to a horrible point and I am at my wits end! It almost seems like I would be better off breaking in and forcing her to take her medication! Anyone with any knowledge on any other legal options?

Oh, dear you are in a tough spot emotionally aren't you? Unfortunately there is nothing you can do, as you have already been told. Unless she is a danger to herself... well you have heard that all before, so I won't bore you with it.

You say she is grocery shopping and paying her bills, her neighbors say she looks healthy. So, why do you think she needs to be hospitalized again. Did I miss that part? Is it because she wants to take a vacation by herself?

Hun, unfortunately there really is nothing you can do until she has another breakdown or she agrees to commit herself.

If you break in and force her to take her meds, then you will be breaking the law by breaking in. Also, how do you know she is not taking her meds already. You did not cover that point that I saw.

Before she shut off all communication I had a key to the house and tracked her meds that way. I also check the refill status and none were made. Last but not least she has gone into the mode of "I'm not bipolar just because all these doctors say I am".
I guess I want her to get committed because she is not herself. Right now the disease has taken over, just not in its normal psychotic way; (YET) but it begins with no commuincation to the outside world, she doesn't talk to lifelong friends, her children, her family, no one! Also its not my mothers nature to do anything alone, much less travel, but other normal things she does like going to church, she doesn't do. She never answers the phone or the door, and when I go to her house(I have to peek through windows mind you) she has covered everything electronic with a towel. In the past she did this because she said things were trying to get to her through the electronic waves... but these are just some of the things that let me know she isn't doing so well. I guess I am sort of emotional, I don't understand how Im supposed to live my life, happily, knowing my mother is going through this, at the same time I have put so many things in my life on hold (almost 2yrs now) for fear of not being there when I should...

Yes there are legal rmaifications for forcing her but 1: I know my mother would be grateful for what we would do and not prosecute
2: right now I'm weighing which one has more of a consequence to me... legal action against me or never seeing or hearing from my mother for who knows how long if ever?

I am so sorry you are going through this. Mental illness does not only affect the patient but the family as well.

Reading your newest post I am wondering if you mother has schizophrenia or schizpphrenic tendencies. You mention that "things were trying to get to her through the electronic waves" This is what is termed Command Hallucinations and is very common in schizophrenia.

With that said, as long as she is not harming herself, there is little if anything you can do.

I understand your frustration having lived with a mentally ill family member myself. But all you can do is just be supportive when she needs it, and love her no matter what.

Noncompliance with meds is the #1 problem with mental illness. Reasons being 1) expense; 2) side-effects; and 3) they think they no longer need the meds. Yet again, you are between a rock and a hard place and the rock is winning.

I will mention though that you can get some great support and even maybe some legal advice by contacting NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness-The Nation's Voice on Mental Illness-Formerly National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

Please contact them, they will have more info than you will get here and they are advocates for the family and will help you in all areas.

Thanks, I will try contacting them.