Without Evidence of Specific Acts Demonstrating Actual or Likely Serious Bodily Injury, Discontinuation of Prescribed Medications Can Not Serve as Basis for Involuntary Hospitalization

In re B.T., 891 A.2d 1193 (N.H. 2006)

The New Hampshire Supreme Court reversed an order to involuntarily hospitalize a woman with a history of mental illness who had discontinued her prescribed medications. In 1999, a judge had ordered the woman involuntarily hospitalized after she overdosed on prescribed medications. The commitment was for a maximum of two years but she was conditionally discharged prior to the expiration of that period. In New Hampshire, an individual who has been involuntarily committed can spend the remainder of the period of commitment in the community if the individual agrees to comply with imposed conditions...

Found in DMHL Volume 25 Issue 2