Someone who is emotionally unstable may be more prone to act impulsively. Be aware of a person becoming upset or confused by your conversation with them. The government will not allow you to hospitalize anyone unless they show signs that they are suicidal. Speak at a level appropriate to their age and development level. With a Form 1, the person may remain in hospital for up to 72 hours while they receive an emergency assessment. Competency is presumed unless there exists a reason to declare a person as mentally incompetent.There are several factors that would affect an individual’s competency to make a particular decision, a particular contractual agreement, to execute an effective deed to real property, or to execute a … This page explains what you can do if you are worried about someone’s mental health. I miss who she was but love her no less. He was fine at first but it became apparent these past few months leading up to our ‘break’. If you do not feel comfortable sharing information about your mental illness with someone, don’t. They don’t have the capacity to foresee the results of their actions even when it could mean harming themselves or others. DJ Jaffe is Executive Director of the non-partisan Mental Illness Policy Org., and author of Insane Consequences: How the Mental Health Industry Fails the Mentally Ill.He is a critic of the mental health industry for ignoring the seriously ill, and has been advocating for better treatment for individuals with serious mental illness for over 30 years. They may do things that could harm themselves and others without thinking it through all the way. Genuinely express your concern. These changes might be sudden. It explains how to get them help and support. Anosognosia is relative. For example, someone who is emotionally unstable may be more likely to drive their car extremely fast, or drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, in some situations, the Mental Health Act provides ways for people to receive an emergency assessment without their consent. Form 1. Renee S from Virginia on March 14, 2010: My best friend from High School is mentally ill and a completely different person than she was in school. I had the patience to deal with it because I love him unconditionally, however, he couldn’t pull himself out … Anosognosia is a common symptom of certain mental illnesses, perhaps the most difficult to understand for those who have never experienced it. Sometimes you don’t need to know. It's difficult. This is not only your adult child’s journey, but the entire family also embarks on it together. 9 Signs Someone is Emotionally Unstable: 1. Just telling a doctor your relative is suicidal is not enough. I love the mentally ill people in my life deeply as well. They are prone to impulsive actions. Thanks! Society often stigmatizes the mentally ill. A person who is emotionally unstable acts out of impulse. I was with someone who was mentally and emotionally unstable. Sometimes it will seem obvious when someone is going through a hard time, but there is no simple way of knowing if they have a mental health problem. Self-awareness can vary over time, allowing a person to acknowledge their illness at times and … How do I know if someone has a mental health problem? Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. That’s usually not possible. This post describes strategies to help someone with a mental illness who doesn't want help.) Find people who support you, accept you, and care about you. Lovelypaper, I know how you feel. Changes in behaviour may mean your relative is developing a mental illness. Show respect and understanding for how they describe and interpret their symptoms. If a physician believes a person is a risk to themself or others, they can write a Form 1. Or they may develop over time. Keep in mind that mental illness has nothing to do with a person’s intelligence. Thanks for writing about such an important topic.