Mental illness can be one of the most painful ailments a loved one can witness their kin or other close association experience. Said maladies often interfere with one’s ability to lead a happy or productive life. In certain instances, the problem can be so severe that the individual in question must receive immediate and aggressive assistance inside a psychiatric hospital.
No family wants to force their relative to receive care. Occasionally, however, such actions are necessary for the benefit of themselves and others. Moreover, should the subject struggling with mental illness also possess some type of drug dependency, the situation is all the more critical.
Complications Of Addiction With Mental Illness
Researchers have found that addiction and mental illness often occur concurrently. Presently, about 9 million persons hold both a mental illness and chemical dependency. However, less than 10 percent actually receive suitable treatment for either problem and almost 60 percent fail to obtain any type of treatment.
Mental health professionals maintain that these figures are quite concerning for certain notable reasons.
First, many mental disorders are brought forth by brain chemistry issues. Substance dependency often worsens brain chemistry making existing mental problems worse.
Additionally, many addictive or illicit drugs naturally impact psychological concerns, such as one’s mood, outlook, and perceived well-being. Oftentimes, this results in the development of dangerous levels of anxiety and depression.
Signs Of Mental Illness
Identifying mental illness is not always a simple task and may prove challenging for even the most experienced healthcare providers and mental health specialists. That said, catching said issues in their earliest stages could be crucial to helping the stricken subject receive the most appropriate treatment and potentially avoid events like institutionalization.
Therefore, one major key to fostering early diagnosis is for an ailing soul’s loved ones to familiarize themselves with certain common signs possibly indicating the presence of a mental illness. Psychiatric professionals stress that symptoms often vary depending upon factors, such as the specific underlying illness, said condition’s severity, and the person in question. That said, manifestations common to many conditions include:
- Persistent sadness or downtrodden feelings
- Wild mood fluctuations
- Displaying negative emotions, such as anger, fear, and mistrust
- Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities said subject once enjoyed
- Detachment from reality
- Paranoia
- Cognitive disturbances like decreased memory or concentration abilities
- Suicidal tendencies
Moreover, mental ailments might also produce numerous physical symptoms, such as a diminished appetite, weight loss, digestive problems, fatigue, sleeping issues, decreased libido, general malaise, and body aches.
Furthermore, mental illness might precipitate increased drug use. In many cases, said action is taken to mask the emotional pain afflicted subjects feel.
Getting Someone Admitted To A Psychiatric Hospital
Occasionally, the preceding issues can progress to such an extent that the stricken individual loses their capacity to function professionally, socially, or individually. When such circumstances arise, a close association might be forced to take matters into their own hands and have the subject in question involuntarily committed to the appropriate mental health facilities.
That said, this process is not as cut and dried as it seems. The individual seeking to complete this process must often clearly prove the intended recipient suffers from a discernible mental illness and other pertinent issues exist including:
Significant Disability
Typically, ruling entities want to see clear cut evidence demonstrating that the stricken subject can no longer care for themselves in any responsible or effective way.
Serious Health Concerns
The person seeking to have their loved one committed might also need to demonstrate that the person in question’s illness is rapidly progressing to a stage that their health and well-being could be severely compromised if immediate medical intervention is not executed.
Posing An Appreciable Danger
Certain mental maladies might cause the afflicted individual to become aggressive and violent. Such tendencies may result in harm to themselves or others. Said circumstances demonstrate a clear and present danger to themselves and those around them. Usually, documented cases of these issues warrant involuntary hospital admittance.
The Legal Process
Most jurisdictions will require those appealing to have their close relation hospitalized author an application detailing the ailing subject’s condition and the reasons they deem such drastic actions are necessary. Typically, a detailed opinion of a licensed mental health professional will also be needed.
Once this application is submitted to the appropriate court or entity, representatives of said agencies or organizations will render an assessment determining the most befitting next steps.
Contacting Us
Persons who believe their loved one possesses some type of mental illness are urged to act quick. Rapid and decisive action could prevent the need to engage in harsh efforts like involuntary hospitalization.
Florida residents currently struggling with any type of substance dependency are encouraged to contact us at 833-497-3808. Our facility has helped people from various economic, ethnic, and social backgrounds beat their addictions, identify the reasons said dependency started, and return to joyous, productive existences.