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The problem is that any intervention has to be sustainable. If your friend is currently not capable of independent safe living then the question becomes what supports are available for him.  Misdiagnosis can be a problem mainly as it can lead to mis-treatment, but if the hospital can provide a safe environment to allow his own powers of self-recovery to kick in, it may not do much harm.  The main thing is that he has people (like you) who can understand him on his own terms, and who can act as an advocate and negotiator on his behalf with the powers that be. You could be his bridge to sustainable living, but do you have the time, presence and resources to commit that much?

Index of Frank's Diaries
by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Wed Jan 26th, 2011 at 08:48:31 PM EST
This is the approach we decided on with 'John' after talking with him yesterday: That a) we friends 'outside' will provide evidence to the family and the doctors that John's concepts of a future fairer society are not crazy, although they may be highly utopian. b) that John tries not to argue these concepts with the doctors because it could make his situation worse (he's a guy who loves to argue) and c) he takes this opportunity to rest and recover. He has to come to terms with his divorce and leaving LA.

The Finnish law on committal is based on 3 medical assessments by different doctors (MI, MII, MIII). M1 can be by any physician, M2 must be by a psychiatric professional and assessment given within 4 days from committal. M3 can lead to an initial 3 month detention. So we are waiting on M2.

John's brother, who was against committal but did nothing to prevent his mother's action (possibly also a 'victim'), has now accepted that he has to stand up for his brother.

So I think John will get the outside support he needs. His work in setting up free festivals last year won him a lot of friends, and he is respected among a small circle of movie makers.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Thu Jan 27th, 2011 at 03:05:45 AM EST
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BTW There's an article in the Psychiatrist 'Involuntary admission in Ireland' that compares Finland and Ireland.

You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Thu Jan 27th, 2011 at 03:14:26 AM EST
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