Baker Act - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

luckygem13 · 06-16-2007, 10:35 PM

My husband's P doc is pretty strict about who can and cannot set appointments etc. So I arranged for DH to have me sign a paper saying I was approved to call regarding my husband, the patient.

Tonight my husband says now that he is on Lithium everyone is looking at him differently.....the family Dr.....the pharmacist.....the Denstist, etc. He is getting paranoid and he wants me off the list of people that are allowed to speak with his Dr and wants only our youngest son (HE IS 14 YEARS OLD!) to be approved. The whole reason I wanted permission to talk to his Dr was to AVOID ever having him Baker Acted (involuntarily committed). He just started saying everytime he was arrested I was there...more liike nearby. I have never had anything to do with his arrests and have been heartbroken everytime it hapened. I am EXTREMELY against someone being involuntarily committed, HOWEVER my husband has been psychotic and I would like to have a private p doc to call as opposed to 911 or the ER who WILL Baker Act him, Ugh!

I am so offended and heartbroken to say the least....I have given this man more than anybody else on this earth....including his own Mother (who is not all "there" bless her heart) I am ****ed and I thank you all for letting me vent. Some people just don't see reality for what it is. Does this man not know I am his greatest protector and defender???...and now his paranioa is cutting me loose and he is actually INCREASING his risk of being Baker Acted because now I can only call 911....We know what that leads to, Ugh!

Thanks for listening,

Luckygem13

MSLAINIE · 06-17-2007, 01:52 AM

Hi Luckygem13,
My son just told me same thing. He is BP 16 1/2 now. It 3years and alot of med combo's to get right. I love my son and daughter with all my heart. He moved in with my ex after 9 1/2 years (we been sep&div) and our son wants my ex who is BP no meds, in NA for PCP and just came home from jail after 2years. I understand now my ex better, but my son is saying same things. I 302'd him and he saying I had him arrested. He is telling lies to my ex, who is going off on me. My son dont want me to be involved in his therapy, he claims now. My heart is broken but I have to be strong. He called me other day telling me my ex was threatening to kill him. But forgot whole story, he stood up my ex's new boss, he told he would work and didnt. My son did same thing to one of my friends, he was working and refused on a busy day.
My biggest fear is my ex unmedicated and thinks our son just spoiled, will not be able to handle it. My son has been so mean and his dad been catching him in lies. My daughter is so happy, her brother is not living here. I didnt realize how hard it was for her. So I pray for us all and everything will work out.
I can relate, my son I have given all I can plus. Even now I am in middle of court for getting him in a better high school. My ex he is hot/cold so its hard to speak to him. I am not happy our son made this decision, but my son thinks he can help his dad. I explained only a psy doc may be able if his dad makes that choice. He was diagnosed 28years ago and denies to this day.
Our daughter can see thru my son and ex. She is just staying out of it.
I pray but it is hard. Everyday is a little little better....
Mslainie

MSLAINIE · 06-17-2007, 02:06 AM

Oh Luckygem13,
I forgot 2 things.
1. I made my own therapist appointment for me. I thank you for suggestion.
I need it bad, I am so stressed....and maybe more. We will see.

2. Even if my son signs for me not to talk to therapist or psy, I believe I can leave messages for doc's, they just can't give me any infomation. Also I believe the Bakers Act is the same as 302 in Pennsylvania which is committed again their free will. Now in PA the person can turn 302 into a 201 which is by their free will, I am not sure if different in FL. Maybe look into it and if a person in our state of pa is 302'd, I must go to do paperwork 1st at a psy hospital then call 911. Last time it took, 12hours, it was hard but my son was suicidal at time.

My heart broke with you, but I know everything will be ok for you and me.
Mslainie

tsohl · 06-17-2007, 12:39 PM

Hello Lucky Gem,

I am sorry you are experiencing this level of paranoia with your husband. It sounds like he is far from stabilized on his meds. Can you convince him to return to his pdoc for a med adjustment? I guess some people do well on lithium as a monotherapy but I think more take it with some additional meds.

xxxtsohl

luckygem13 · 06-17-2007, 04:16 PM

Hi you two and thanks for replying!

I have to remind myself that he has a serious mental illness and so I should not always take things so personally. He is not always "all there" but he thinks he is. I want to protect him not harm him, but paranioa is what it is. It is so hard to see anyone suffer let alone my immediate family.

He drank 2 vodka martinis last night, it was after the second one that he started getting paranoid and weird. I think when he drinks he basically is like he is not on any medication. Maybe if I could just convince him to not drink or only 1-2 glasses of wine. It's the damn vodka, it makes him crazy...not like a normal drunk....I mean paranoid and weird. When we came home I went straight to my office because I was distraught. My son told me today when we came in he started wigging out on him...that was out in the kitchen so I didn't see. I really think it's the alcohol that is the problem, not the medication regimen.

Luvya guys,

Luckygem