Mental Health Involuntarily Baker acted PTSD

[Man in the Dark]

Hello all,

i was recently Involuntarily Baker Acted do to my PTSD with suicidal and homicidal ideation. I was taken from a VA facility to local hospital where I was released in 2 hours. What are the consequences of this incident. Sorry to be so vague but I am pretty ignorant to this situation. Any advice will be appreciated.

Thank u

 

[Felonious Monk]

I don't think there's any consequences, it was for your safety and is now part of your medical record. Doctors will know about it in the future but it won't affect jobs unless you inform them.

Biggest consequence would have just been the inconvenience to you.

 

[Man in the Dark]

I don't think there's any consequences, it was for your safety and is now part of your medical record. Doctors will know about it in the future but it won't affect jobs unless you inform them.

Biggest consequence would have just been the inconvenience to you.

Thank FM appreciate it.

 

[Man in the Dark]

I definitely don't feel right after being Baker acted. I feel like I'm lost, no reality. Very strange almost like it changed me. I have been through a lot in the military and then to be taken away in handcuffs for not committing a crime. I trusted this DR I got too deep with him about my military experiences and my thoughts, I just needed guidance.

I will never talk to a Psych DR again.

 

[Moreaux]

You mentioned the VA so I am assuming you have military connections. Should you have to obtain or renew as security clearance, or get a higher level clearance you will most likely have inform them of this incident. I was a contractor on a military installation and had to get a TS and the mental health portion of my medical records were examined. At the time, I had already been to rehab once. I had suicide attempts noted in those records, but surprisingly it did not disqualify me from getting the clearance.

 

[aihfl]

Since you mentioned the Baker Act specifically, I'm assuming you are in Florida. The only thing I can think of that it might affect is your gun rights. Even then, your firearms aren't confiscated, you just might run in to issues if you try to buy a new one. And getting a concealed carry permit will be complicated and probably require a lawyer.

 

[Man in the Dark]

Thank you all for the responding. Very helpful,greatly appreciated.

 

[herbavore]

Man in the Dark, try to focus on the intensity of what you were experiencing that provoked your doctor to do what he did rather than worrying about the long term consequences. Suicidal and homicidal ideation are signs of severe emotional overload. I'm sure that you are aware of the alarming statistics of suicide amongst our returning vets with PTSD. I am just so sorry that we have not found any other way than to handcuff a person in so much pain. I was convinced twice in my life to hospitalize myself for suicidal thoughts--I cannot imagine being handcuffed on top of how I was already feeling about myself. Having said that, I think that I might not be here today without the hospitalizations so I have no regrets. This occurred when I was a teen and I am now in my sixties. I have made it a point throughout my life--both professional and personal--to talk about mental illness openly. That includes being hospitalized. The stigma comes from within and without. We have very little control when it comes at us from the outside but paradoxically the little control we do have is by refusing to support the stigma inside--it has an effect of changing others perceptions and it frees our own minds to deal with the roots of our pain.

I am very glad that you are OK. I am also very sorry that you are suffering and I hope for true healing for you.

 

[Man in the Dark]

Man in the Dark, try to focus on the intensity of what you were experiencing that provoked your doctor to do what he did rather than worrying about the long term consequences. Suicidal and homicidal ideation are signs of severe emotional overload. I'm sure that you are aware of the alarming statistics of suicide amongst our returning vets with PTSD. I am just so sorry that we have not found any other way than to handcuff a person in so much pain. I was convinced twice in my life to hospitalize myself for suicidal thoughts--I cannot imagine being handcuffed on top of how I was already feeling about myself. Having said that, I think that I might not be here today without the hospitalizations so I have no regrets. This occurred when I was a teen and I am now in my sixties. I have made it a point throughout my life--both professional and personal--to talk about mental illness openly. That includes being hospitalized. The stigma comes from within and without. We have very little control when it comes at us from the outside but paradoxically the little control we do have is by refusing to support the stigma inside--it has an effect of changing others perceptions and it frees our own minds to deal with the roots of our pain.

I am very glad that you are OK. I am also very sorry that you are suffering and I hope for true healing for you.

 

[manboychef]

I've been baker acted a few times. Usually for overdoses. I tend to do extremely strange things due to the OCD and panic disorder when I overdose on benzos. I just have no control over what I do in that condition.

I can completely agree with you that it really shakes up how you view yourself after being under psychiatric hold for any length of time. It always made me think to myself "Baker acting is for crazy people, am I crazy? How would I know? Is there something I am missing?" Trust me, you aren't missing anything, but you need to heal. I would suggest doing as herbavore said and being open an honest about how you feel. It has helped me immensely and I don't feel like a stranger in a strange land so much anymore.

 

[Man in the Dark]

I've been baker acted a few times. Usually for overdoses. I tend to do extremely strange things due to the OCD and panic disorder when I overdose on benzos. I just have no control over what I do in that condition.

I can completely agree with you that it really shakes up how you view yourself after being under psychiatric hold for any length of time. It always made me think to myself "Baker acting is for crazy people, am I crazy? How would I know? Is there something I am missing?" Trust me, you aren't missing anything, but you need to heal. I would suggest doing as herbavore said and being open an honest about how you feel. It has helped me immensely and I don't feel like a stranger in a strange land so much anymore.

Thanks for your advice. The problem is opening up is what got me baker acted in the first place. It almost cost me my marriage ( which would probably be better for me ) and I'm afraid if I go any further it'll cost me my son as far as if the state feels that I'm a danger to people or myself. I was released within about two hours because if I stay in one of those facilities I will end up getting myself into more trouble as I do have quite the temper and can be prone to violence if provoked . I just talked to the doctor at the local hospital said I was fine the VA doctor was a little over zealous and I guess he felt that I was OK and let me go.

I feel you on the benzo's and OCD because I have a problem with both I try not to take any more than my prescribed dose the only thing that really helps me is my prescribed morphine and oxycodone. The best thing for me would be able to just live alone by myself in a remote area away from people. I think the VA does more harm than good sometimes.

Thanks Chef.