Anybody have a relative with schizophrenia who refuses medication and hospitalization? When do they become ward of the state?

Where I live, medications can be mandated in some cases. I have the bare min knowledge on this but there has to be a temporary treatment order granted, this comes after a holding act (like Baker act). Treatment must be deemed necessary (likely for safety of the person or of others - suicidal thoughts would certainly fit this). Long acting injectable meds are often used instead if daily pills.

No rights are taken from the individual unless really neccessary & they have a mental health social worker or advocate to represent them. In theory anyway... The system is far from perfect.

I don't think there actually IS a lot you can do besides ensuring your sister has access to whatever advocacy services are available.

At 46, she is too young for an aged care placement, but may be found housing in a group home, mixed or women only. Of course, living there may not really improve her circumstances.

It is an awful condition. Dr told me more than 80% have anosognosia (lack of insight) & this causes much resistance to seeking help or taking meds. Also that many meds have side effects, which are not tolerated well by many, so they stop taking.

Some people will settle & thrive in a supervised setting. Sadly there are others who remain unstable, bouncing in & out of hospitals instead.

If it helps you to write, keep updating. I wish you well.

PS my sister stays medicated & stable but has this anosognosia & may need guardianship in her future.

Missfits, my brother never became a ward of the state.

He chose to live on the streets over treatment. Because treatment was always so temporary and he had to be accountable and that wasn't happening.

Nothing will help them if they don't desire the help.

He died of a drug overdose at 52 years old in a back alley.

Unfortunately, I don't think his story is all that unusual for this brutal disease.

I pray your BIL can some how reach her and she doesn't become another statistic.

Great big hug. It sure is a rollercoaster ride from hell dealing with the illness.

Next time she is arrested refuse to take her in when they release her. Tell them what is going on with husband that he does not give her prescribed meds. That she needs to be Baker Acted and put on 72 physic watch. If no family is willing to take responsibility of her then the State may take over.

Please realize that people who suffer from this disorder cannot help themselves and you can't help them. They really need to be in a facility where they are overseen constantly. Our country seems to lack this type of supervision.

Get her taken to the ER for suicidal ideation. See if they will discharge to a state hospital and on a meds schedule. Another option may be a group home for schizophrenics where she be kept on her meds. I would not want her to return to her husband who won’t keep her on her meds. Contact your county mental health center and find out what services are available for her. But she definitely needs to be where she will get her medications. Being a ward of the state would be better than homeless or with an abusive husband that doesn’t keep her on her meds.

Consider contacting NAMI for information and guidance:

https://nami.org/Home