Miss anon - Often people who go in voluntary are going in because they are threatened with sectioning - either agree to go in or get sectioned. So you go in voluntary but you can't just leave. It is up to the dr's if you can leave or not, and if you try to leave (even though you went in voluntary) this can lead to you being sectioned. Thus you can't just 'walk out'. Also the police can be sent to pick up any patient who the nurses/drs feel are 'at risk'.
I don't really know what requires sectioning. It can be a VERY traumatic experience for some - the lack of control etc.
Also many can end up relying on hospitals and yo-yoing in and out. But for others getting in hospital, a bit of rest, and get meds stable can be very benificial.
Every person should be treated as an individual. If it is going to benifit the individual, or if they are at risk of harming others then they should go into hospital.
I've always yo-yo'ed. And always had a support system outside of hospital. So even when I ended up in a&E more than 3 times in less than a month, in hospital over 24 hours on drips and such. And saying I'll just overdose again. Yet don't end up sectioned/in psych ward because it wouldn't have benifited me. I would have got out (due to having a good support team outside) and would just overdose again. While when I first ever presented I got sectioned, and admitted frequently to psych wards. It never helped me. And I would always OD as soon as I got out. They also never really looked in to my psychosis after the first time I presented.
So everyone is different. I have seen many friends go into hospital (a&e and psych wards) and I like to know they are kept 'safe' for the time being. but ultimately when they are sectioned for suicidal behaviour they have to put in the work to get better. Meds can take the edge off once stable but they have to put the most effort in and hospital can be worse for them.
I think sectioning is important if they refuse treatment and are at risk and there is no support network outside of hospital to help get them through the rough patch. Or if meds are needed to be given and time will be needed to see if it helps stabalize the patient....
sorry thats a muffled, not great response! But I am kinda for and against sectioning. Just everyone is different and so are each disorder. Sectioning for suicidality is different to someone who is psychotic and at risk but not realising they are....or someone who is manic and thinks they can fly...
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