I called awhile back when he jumped out of the car & walked off in a shopping center.
They said that wasn’t enough, but if people are wandering around in traffic or doing other stuff that puts them in harms way, they take it as “not capable of protecting himself” or something to that effect & they’ll do an involuntary.
There’s also something in there about self care. I don’t think taking a shower, changing clothes, etc. would count, but not eating for days does.
I’m sure it also depends on the person who’s doing the evaluation. I’ve read stories on here that sounded much more extreme than my son’s, and they wouldn’t do an involuntary.
We also live in Virginia where one of our high level state politicians Cree Deeds couldn’t get a bed for his son and it ended in tragedy, so maybe the thoughts on involuntary hospitalization has changed a little here? I think there’s still a shortage of beds though.
On the other hand, the fact that I’m getting him involuntarily held so easy could mean that he’s sicker than I thought. and my “new normal” has gone too far.