When my ex was manic, he was able to deceive doctors and was also able to make his own medical decisions even when psychotic. I was not allowed to speak on his behalf as his girlfriend. He did not have a medical proxy.

He was finally admitted after 3 ER visits and 1 cop call. He chose to check out after 72 hours and continues to be severely mentally ill 3 months later.

Had he been admitted the first time, things would be drastically different.

I feel we were let down by the ER doctors, his therapist, the cops, and the mental health doctors during his inpatient stay. However, it seems this is a result of a broken system.

Should anything change about the mental health system that would better protect newly manic individuals?