AS A practicing psychiatrist, member of the White Commission on Mental Health and a person who recovered from schizophrenia, I believe that a state policy shift to allow outpatient commitment, as advocated by the Globe, is wrong (“Response to Newtown killings demands gun laws — and more,” Editorial, Dec. 20). It is based on the false premise that persons with mental illness are more prone to violence than the general population.
Furthermore, trust is the cornerstone of the therapeutic alliance, and outpatient commitment destroys trust. Involuntary treatment is traumatic and frightens people away from treatment. Outpatient commitment is also a gross violation of human rights.
Comments
Please, do an article on emotional CPR. Thank you.
Tell me, Dr. Fisher, prior to your recovery from schizophrenia, did you seek a diagnosis and treatment or did it involve intervention? I agree that an outpatient who is complying with counseling and medication can expect and should be allowed to have a very fulfilling life. But what about those who refuse treatment? While very few are a danger to others, they are still at risk for suicide or from violence of others. If a person with a psychotic illness is in a delusional state and walks in front of a truck and is struck and killed because he was too distracted to notice his peril, do you tell his family to rejoice that he died free from forced treatment?