He has been acting erratic and strange for the last 3 weeks and it had gotten progressively worse. Then, my father hurt my mother and cut himself the other night. I called the cops and he was put in the Behavioral center here in town for 4 days. They said they can’t keep him any longer and are talking about releasing him. He is very angry at the whole family and thinks that we have joined together to take away his rights and lock him up. He has made direct threats but has pretty much said as much. I am afraid he is violent and will do something to hurt himself or my mother if he is released. He has a criminal background, destructing property. He has never been violent to people before now. The doctors are saying they can’t do anything more and are going to release him. He is diagnosed with depression, social anxiety, and schizo-effective disorder. What can I do? Is there a way to get him treatment against his will? He needs substance abuse treatment for alcohol but he is refusing that as well. He is conviced he is fine and we are the crazy ones. Please let me know if there is something I can do. Apparently we can’t Baker act him for some reason. I need serious answers only please. Cruel jokes aren’t needed. Thank you.
Thank you all for your comments. I think it’s important to say. I DID call the cops. They are the ones who took him to the metal health center. He is a drunk, and has been for 20 something years. However, he has never been a “mean” drunk. This was definitely a metal breakdown. He wrote “Help, Help, Help,” on the calendar. The mental health center does not seem to think he needs metal help, regardless of his disorders. They believe this was all a result of the alcohol. The alcohol was to cope with his breakdown, not the cause. They have told my family there is nothing more we can do to force him to get treatment. I just can’t believe there are no laws or processes to have someone held for metal care when they are obviously experiencing a mental breakdown. Again, thank you for your comments.
You can do all that your doing now, support him, let him know that you care, consult your/his doctor and look after him and let him know that you love him most importantly!!!!! God bless!!!!! :-)
seriously you need to get a restraining order, he sounds like he is ready to go on a psychopathic rampage , keep all doors and windows locked and pray to the lord almighty – goodluck
I would call your local county health center, and find out what can be done. If he is making threats, that’s pretty serious. It definitely sounds like your dad is having a psychotic episode. Make sure you know where he is, make sure he doesn’t have access to hurt you or your mother, and if he does or tries to, call the authorities again. Also call your medical insurance provider, or check out some mental health websites for some resources. God bless, I know this must be hard.
Please don’t be afraid, don’t show him weakness you are not alone, if his threads really bother you then inform the police immediately when he is violent. I am not a doctor but he might be bipolar, his change in behavior is not normal and remember that with proper treatment his symptoms can be under control. This sound very serious, talk to your whole family and make a plan of action in case he attempts to hurt himself or others in your family but prepare.
Good luck with everything.
I would talk to him, make it over the phone.
Tell him to get help in a treatment facility. Or that you will get a restraining order, because he is a danger to you and himself.
If you do get a restraining order, and he is mad over it, keep people by you. I don’t know who he threatened, but have people by them too. If he comes and does something to your family with the restraining order, a piece of paper won’t protect you. So keep yourself safe.
Good Luck!
is there SOMEONE besides you & your mom who can meet w/ him to find out what’s going on w/ him? Has there been a job loss or something that would trigger this activity? Does even even remember all the details of the incident? Was he drunk? Is he just a Mean Drunk? I do believe that Mean Drunks always escalate to violence. Was he having a psychotic break? Anyway, if he remembers the details, or not, talk it over with him & ask him how HE would feel if he had to live with someone like himself.
Tell him the alcohol or the psychosis makes him unpredictable & you’re all scared for your safety. He may be in denial, and it may be impossible for him to admit any wrongdoing, so you may be up against a brick wall.
Someone else said call the county,e tc. that sounds best; maybe also let the police know, so if there’s ever a 911 call, they’ll take it very seriously.
Good luck.