Borderline Personality Disorder: The Ins and Outs of Voluntary and Involuntary Psychiatric Hospitalizations
Most people have a Hollywood perspective of psychiatric hospitalizations. It is commonly assumed that emotionally-struggling individuals are admitted to get psychological treatment and are only released once they are cured, or at least more socially functional. This is not true. Since brief stays at a psychiatric hospital are often part of the treatment plan for people struggling with borderline personality disorder, it is important to understand when and how to facilitate an admission to such a facility. Some common questions about psychiatric hospitalizations include: What psychological or physical symptoms are required to qualify someone for an admission? What is the difference between an involuntary commitment and a voluntary admission? Can a patient sign out of the hospital at anytime? Criteria for psychiatric hospitalization have changed over the years. The main purpose is to keep individuals safe while their most severe symptoms are being treated with medication. Mo...