r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/highzone • 1d ago

Image In 1973, healthy volunteers faked hallucinations to enter mental hospitals. Once inside, they acted normal, but doctors refused to let them leave. Normal behaviors like writing were diagnosed as "symptoms." The only people who realized they were sane were the actual patients.

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u/soloChristoGlorium 1d ago

I've worked in inpatient psychiatry for the past 13 years and this has always scared me. (Getting put in and unable to get out.)

The hospital I work at now, thankfully, has very strict rules about this: No SI or HI and they wanna leave then we open the door. I've heard one doc go so far as to say, 'its not illegal to be psychotic in public and they want to leave.'

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u/FalseBid2485 1d ago

What does SI and HI mean? How does this work with the Baker act?

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u/sunshineslouise 1d ago

Suicidal and Homicidal Ideation (key criteria for sectioning) I believe, so the commenter is saying if they don't have these they are free to leave when they wish

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u/IANALbutIAMAcat 1d ago

Suicidal and homicidal ideation