title: Family members' opinions about civil commitment.
abstract: As part of a survey of 260 Oregon family members with mentally ill relatives, respondents were asked about their experiences with civil commitment and their opinions about proposed modifications in the commitment statutes. Family members typically described their mentally ill relative as a schizophrenic man in his thirties who had had six psychiatric hospitalizations and was currently being treated with medications at a community mental health center. Three-fourths of the relatives had been committed. A majority (57 percent) of the respondents were in favor of mandatory outpatient treatment and medication after involuntary hospitalization but were not enthusiastic about outpatient commitment without hospitalization. Family members also wanted more education about mental illness, more information about the commitment process, and assignment of a professional to help in the commitment process.
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: McFarland
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bloom
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hallaux
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bray
mesh_terms: D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D007298:Insanity Defense; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D009922:Oregon; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy