Hello Ladies
I've done some online research, albeit quickly, and thus doubt anyone will really be able to help much with this, as it seems to vary from state to state. But I thought there might be more Marylanders out there than I thought. Or perhaps even some legal experts. I figure it can't hurt and I'm desperate!
Does anyone basically know how to commit someone for a psychiatric evaluation against their will? From what I could grasp on MD's law page, you need basically two doctor's signatures. I suppose this is why most people end up taking their friends and family they are concerned about straight to the ER around here, as they (usually) have a psych floor and plenty of doctors to sign whatever you want. This really isn't an option in my situation. There was a clause where if it was a particularly bad and violent situation witnessed by a cop, her or his signature could proxy for the second doctor's signature. Thank goodness for that, I suppose!
As a certified mentally ill person, I think MD's way of doing this (if indeed it is, I have to double check tomorrow. It sounds right from other's experiences though) is back-asswards! Sure I don't want innocent people harrassed and needlessly committed, but MD's route takes an awful lot of cooperation on the 'patient's' part for granted. That sort of proves to me they aren't much of a danger. The dangerous ones aren't going to cooperate! No way, no how!
I'm actually thinking of two people, but the most immediately pressing concern is
most definitely a danger to herself and others. The second person is
definitely dangerous to others, but I'm not so sure about himself. I'm pretty sure you have to fulfill both of those requirements to be held longer than 72 hours in this state.
After tonight I'm actually quite frightened of this person. Honestly
frightened. She has weapons and now outweighs me. She's certainly not acting "right", even for her. She tried to push my partner down the stairs face first as he was calmly walking away, ignoring her maniacal screetching
Luckily he caught the handrail, and his temper, as ignoring her acting out is the best policy. And all of this started with a simple boundary; although boundaries are her arch enemy. "Please don't run water (beyond toilet flushing, handwashing, etc.) between the hours of 1am and 6am". This drove her NUTS!! Every moment she has been home, which is most of the time, she's doing laundry or showering. Each night her shower would end a weee bit later. Today she did laundry literally all day long and
ran down the hallway to begin her hours long shower ritual when I did my pitiful sink bath at 9:30pm. She was still running water at 1:48am; pushing things a
bit too far. When partner actually said something to her about it she threatened him with, "What? Do you want me to really start screaming it out with you in the middle of the night?" To her shock, he said yes. Yes he would. And boy she did!!! He thought it was just an idle, manipulative threat. But no, she really is THAT selfish and uncaring about others. He went to walk away and that's when she stealthily walked behind him and gave him a solid shove when his leading foot was off of the floor going down the stairs.
I did hear something that answers some questions I've had for years. Partner muttered something about me having an infection as I can't even bathe properly around here and she shot back, "Oh yeah! Ever bother to think that I might have a disease,too?" Now this could mean a million drama-queeny things, but I really do think she's bulemic. That could answer
part of what she's doing in the bath and shower for literally hours. Cover-up noise. Could also explain her fascination for her ADD medication. She won't get much sympathy from me though until she tries to at least acknowledge the problem and work on it as best she can. And I have pretty severe anorexia in my past, so I have lots of empathy for people with eating disorders in general.
She can hurt me all she wants. I really don't care about such a person's opinion, but physically hurt someone I care about? Ohhh no! I plan to somehow have a nice talk with her mother tomorrow, while SIL is at work, explaining just why this isn't acceptable. I really don't
care what her excuses are. It's inexcusable. We only have a few weeks to go, PLEASE rein in your daughter!!! Don't be afraid of her. In that case, call the cops! I'll help you, but damned if I will see my partner mentally and physically hurt like that
again. Certainly not when we're the only ones paying rent to live here!! I can hear her poor father, who worked a long shift today, up pacing the floor in obviously an upset state. I hate how her selfishness and sense of entitlement hurts so many people daily!!
At this point my abusive father might be the better bet as he at least doesn't
hate me right now! But I don't want to leave my partner to the mercy of these beasts unless I have to, as he can't even sleep here alone with all the lights on he feels so "unsafe". And who could blame him!
So, once again, if anyone else has any advice on this issue I'd appreciate it. I know we have a couple Marylanders on this forum. My shrink
should be able to tell me definatively if I can get in touch with her tomorrow after 12noon... but I'm too anxious to wait that long! Maybe the cops would know?
Thanks again ladies! Sorry to burden you with all of this, but we've only got 27 more nights to go!!!! Then I shall be FREE!!
Dana
Does anyone happen to know how to have someone involuntarily evaluated? 
