Involuntary Commitment: What is the Process? (Retired)

Fundamentally, involuntary commitment can be thought of as a process that can be initiated when a person poses a risk or danger to themselves or to others. Typically, in the United States in particular, patient autonomy and decision making are cornerstones of our medical system. One can think of involuntary commitment as an exception to these general rules. The process that follows is complex and the laws vary by state (and different countries).