How long can a hospital legally hold you on a psych hold?

Question

The VA Hospital Nurse I spoke to said they might want to put my husband on a psych hold for severe PTSD and I wanted to know how long he would be gone for

Answer 1

In California it is 72 hours and it has to be assigned,authorized and documented by a Licensed Psychiatrist

Answer 2

In my parts, you are offered a form to sign upon entry. The gist is that the doctors HAVE to make a decision about in you in 3 days: to keep you there, send you to another hospital, or release you altogether. Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Yes, they can.  I am assuming since it's the VA hospital that your husband is a veteran.  Why would you not want him to get the help he needs.  Severe PTSD is one of the major concerns for our military and ex-military.

Answer 4

Against your will, 72 hours I believe.

Answer 5

I'm assuming you are referring to a psychiatric hospital.  The length of time that your husband will stay in a psychiatric hospital depends on the admitting psychiatrist who is treating him.  

The length of stay for patients admitted to psychiatric hospitals vary anywhere from 3 to 5 days, and less commonly 2 or more weeks depending on the individual patient's response to medications, their cooperation to the treatment program provided, and the psychiatrist who is treating the patient.

Answer 6

as long as you are not being held in lieu of jail, 72 hrs

Answer 7

It depends on the state you live in.  48 hours in my state, that's when you're initially brought in.  However, if they can demonstrate you are a danger to yourself or others, they will bring that to a competency hearing and you will likely be in hospital custody much longer.