committment for my husband

[Rachelinpain]

just a question.  my husband has depression and cuts himself.  i am worried.  does anyone know if i can have him hospitalized because of this?

[ILADVOCATE]

Someone can be involuntarily committed if they are "dangerous to themselves or others or unable to care for themselves". As for insurance coverage in the United States, mental health parity will be a reality in Jan. 2010 but insurance coverage denials should never be a reason not to seek care. I help people appeal denials of coverage and myself contest denials as well (and win) all the time. But as for self mutilation for some people its a destructive behavior. And for some its the start of behavior that is suicidal. It depends. A psychiatrist must be involved and make a determination. But if someone needs a support group for information google "Self Mutilators Anonymous".

[alliesheart]

I am a "former" cutter. Working on my 6th week without it! I saw this and thought I should respond.  WWhen my husband found out about my cutting he obviously wasn't happy. He took me to an institute to have me evaluated. They wanted to keep me and I didn't want to. You can't make him accept treatment. They will not admit him without his concent. Unless he is deamed incompetant. Talk to him and suggest going to a counselor. That is what my husband did. He isnt' going to get help until he is ready and unfortuatly there is nothing you can do to make him ready.

[superyouper]

Make sure you check with your health insurance policy/company. Many policies will not cover mental illiness. Self-mutilization is not necessary a classified illiness. It is however, a sign of unresolved anxieties. I would suggest a good mental health counselor who specializes in group therapy. Your husband may need to learn how to get in touch with his feelings and how to handle the ones that are determental to his well being.

I found the following information on a web site about self mutilization.

Even though it is possible that a self-inflicted injury may result in death, self-injury is usually not suicidal behavior. The person who self-injures may not recognize the connection, but this act usually occurs after an overwhelming or distressing experience and is a result of not having learned how to identify or express difficult feelings in a healthy way. Sometimes the person who deliberately harms themselves thinks that if they feel the pain on the outside instead of feeling it on the inside, the injuries will be seen, which then perhaps gives them a fighting chance to heal. They may also believe that the wounds, which are now physical evidence, proves their emotional pain is real. Although the physical pain they experience may be the catalyst that releases the emotional pain, the relief they feel is temporary. These coping mechanisms in essence are faulty because the pain eventually returns without any permanent healing taking place.

I pray that he gets well and that you and your family have a merry Christmas and a very safe and happy new year.

[therese83]

Yes I am sure you can with Doctors help/recommendations.  Which country are you in is it USA, I am not in USA maybe someone else can advise.