# on seeking help for a non-dangerous

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-seeking-help-for-a-non-dangerous/268956>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 13, 2004, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-seeking-help-for-a-non-dangerous/268956 "2004-10-13T04:08:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![vinniepaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b4bc9f/32.png) [@vinniepaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vinniepaz)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-seeking-help-for-a-non-dangerous/268956/1 "2004-10-13T04:08:28Z")

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someone i know has a dad. surprising? not really. This dad has exhibited signs of acute paranoia and bipolar tendencies. He is also in possession of several firearms, some legal, some not so much. now my friend doesnt live with her dad, and only talks to him occasionally on the phone. hes not a threat to himself or anyone else, he just seems to be kinda crazy. my question is, is there any way we can go about getting him some help? he doesnt want it.

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**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-seeking-help-for-a-non-dangerous/268956/2 "2004-10-13T11:45:06Z")

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> [@vinniepaz](#):
>
> someone i know has a dad. surprising? not really. This dad has exhibited signs of acute paranoia and bipolar tendencies. He is also in possession of several firearms, some legal, some not so much. now my friend doesnt live with her dad, and only talks to him occasionally on the phone. hes not a threat to himself or anyone else, he just seems to be kinda crazy. my question is, is there any way we can go about getting him some help? he doesnt want it.

I don’t know if you are in the US, and **I am not a lawyer, nor is the SDMB nor the Chicago Reader nor am I in any way responsible for the consequences of taking any advice in this thread or on this Board.**

You can’t do anything.

A person cannot be comitted to a mental institution in the US unles he is a _clear and present danger_ to himself or others. He has to have _done something._

Also, reporting those illegal weapons may create the very armed conflict you wish to avoid.  
A non-governmental source of help may be your local religious figure. He or she may be able to help talk your friend into getting help.

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**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-seeking-help-for-a-non-dangerous/268956/3 "2004-10-13T12:43:34Z")

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> [@vinniepaz](#):
>
> someone i know has a dad. surprising? not really. This dad has exhibited signs of acute paranoia and bipolar tendencies. He is also in possession of several firearms, some legal, some not so much. now my friend doesnt live with her dad, and only talks to him occasionally on the phone. hes not a threat to himself or anyone else, he just seems to be kinda crazy. my question is, is there any way we can go about getting him some help? he doesnt want it.

AKA “A Sleeping Dog.”

Don’t kick a sleeping dog!