Why must some schizophrenic patients be involuntarily committed? The role of insight

Thirty-five involuntarily hospitalized psychiatric patients were interviewed immediately following admission and again prior to discharge to assess attitudinal changes and their relationship to patient characteristics and treatment outcome. The results indicate significant changes toward recognition of the original need for involuntary treatment. Those patients achieving remission of symptoms were most likely to have positive attitudes. Follow-up data indicate that the majority continued to receive outpatient treatment after the index episode, and among those readmissions that occurred, 92% were voluntary.