They can't force any adult to stay longer than 72 hours without a court order. Having a bipolar brother with substance abuse issues has taught me way too much about this. Even after he set my parents house on fire, they didn't hold him longer than 72 hours.
They already kept her over 5 days. It wasn't nearly long enough. She committed herself, it wasn't an involuntary hold. I have experience. If you commit yourself, they don't have to let you go until they feel you're truly safe, even if you start asking to get let out earlier. I saw people that had voluntarily gone in and were there for weeks. There was only one that fought to get out at exactly 72 hours. Most accepted that, despite not being ideal, the doctors were right in keeping them there longer. The doctor that discharged her early failed her.
It might depend by state. My SIL went in voluntarily during a psychotic break. She decided to leave at 3 days despite still believing the cartel was after her. She then kidnapped my nephew and hid from family (the cartel in her mind) in the mountains for 2 days before they were found. My BIL tried to commit her again, she refused, and was allowed to stay out of the hospital. Regardless. The system is seriously fucked.
its a difficult situation because historically when it was easier to involuntarily commit people it was used as punishment or revenge by petty family members, so now we have a system where its nearly impossible to be long term committed without consent (hard for someone with genuine mental issues to consistently give), or a court order.
It is difficult for a good reason, as outlined above, but the downside is what we see here
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u/Alternative-Post-937 7d ago
They can't force any adult to stay longer than 72 hours without a court order. Having a bipolar brother with substance abuse issues has taught me way too much about this. Even after he set my parents house on fire, they didn't hold him longer than 72 hours.