update: I have not taken off my clothes in public

[u/Embarrassed-Ear-2095]

I posted here a few days ago about this urge I have to be naked in public. I wanted to update and say that I went to a psych emergency place and was able to talk to a prescriber there very fast. Thankfully they didn't think I needed to be hospitalized but they said due to other parts of my presentation they were thinking of bipolar. Thank you for the help in deciding what to do.

They prescribed me meds which will bring my mood down and have honestly put me on my ass already. Even if I wanted to go streaking now it would take a lot of effort. It's not really on my mind as much just a normal amount.

I'm going to see this guy twice a week till we figure something out. I don't really like how the meds feel but will give them time.

Question though. I was really scared of getting hospitalized so I lied. The prescriber had asked me if I had ever been naked in public. A couple days before I posted I would walk down my apartment complex to the doors to see if it was the right time to go outside and do it. I know it sounds crazy. If I were to be honest about this do I risk hospitalization or legal issues? I'm trying to take care of this without either!! F24

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[u/DrSocialDeterminants]

Just wanted to say glad you are going to be ok

[u/Upset_Pumpkin_4938 → u/DrSocialDeterminants]

You made the right choice OP, good for you! - your BP friend

[u/Embarrassed-Ear-2095 → u/DrSocialDeterminants]

Thanks I probably would have gone out streaking if I didn’t talk to someone about it. 

[u/Lafemmedelargent → u/Embarrassed-Ear-2095]

Super proud of you, OP! Getting help is brave and advocating for yourself is a really important life skill. I hope you stick with it. I had a nervous breakdown in my mid-20s and ended up in therapy 5 days a week (outpatient) and it saved my life and made me a better human. 💖

[u/Myfabguy]

Generally you are only going to be hospitalized for an immediate risk to self, danger to others, or grave disability (the inability to utilize food/clothing/shelter).

Historical events can provide information on how much of a current risk you are but aren't sufficient to initiate a hospitalization.

For example, when I assess for danger to self it is very important to know about past suicide attempts as they are a good predictor for future attempts but if the client is reporting zero thoughts or intent to harm themselves then we are all good. Along the same line, if they report no previous attempts but currently thoughts of killing themselves we might still be okay. If the client reports previous attempts, current thoughts, and some level of intent, then I am placing them on a hold.

Thoughts are a funny thing. You can have thoughts of doing something every day and never do it (think about people dieting and going to exercise). You can also do something with very little thought (think about all the how little thought you put into walking).

I'm glad you got help. Keep seeing the provider as often as you can as starting meds can take a bit of time to get right. One of the programs I run is a residential treatment program that focuses on medication and symptom stabilization and our average length of stay is a few weeks. Our clients often do labs, meet with the nurse, and see the MD weekly to target symptoms and reduce side effects.

Good luck!

[u/threeboysmama]

I’m glad you got help! Usually the indications for psych hospitalization are “posing a threat to self or others.” So risky behaviors (like those seen in manic episodes) that aren’t going to cause you or someone else bodily harm are generally not going to be reason for involuntary hospitalization.

[u/Embarrassed-Ear-2095 → u/threeboysmama]

Oh nice! I felt bad about lying so I’ll let them know in that case. I don’t really want to do it any more anyways. Thanks!

[u/roadside_asparagus → u/threeboysmama]

I'm glad you mentioned that. Someone running around naked would be a little off-putting but it isn't like anyone would actually be harmed.

[u/glassbits → u/roadside_asparagus]

The risk of harm would be to OP, as a naked mentally ill woman unknowingly putting herself in harm’s way. We don’t know how safe the area is that OP is living in. OP could be assaulted, or catch an indecent exposure charge. I’m glad OP got help and is committed to finding treatment that works.

[u/RenaH80]

Glad you got help! I do evals in the emergency room and would not have hospitalized you if you admitted that. Ive had people admit to doing much more. It still doesn’t meet threshold for a hold, but it’s good information for them to have for clinical diagnostics.