Expert: Ivan Goldberg, M.D. - 7/22/2008

Question
5 days ago my brother-in-law started talking very fast and saying and doing strange things.  He was assessed at a hospital and diagnosed as bipolar.  He wasn't that bad off when he got there but now he is almost catatonic.  He had been combative.  Is there a therapeutic reason for tranquilizing him so much or is he just less of a threat to himself and others?  Why so catatonic?  He was almost normal when he checked in.  How long is the average stay for bipolar? We are worried that he is not in a good place and it is making him worse.  This is our first time through this and are very worried.  They won't release him.

Answer
Hi, Kathleen . . .

Major tranquilizers (neuroleptics) are often prescribed in hospitals as a treatment of either psychosis or agitation in patients with bipolar disorder. In patients who have been combative such drugs are used both for the protection of the individual excited patient, the other patients, and the hospital staff.

The average length of stay is determined by many things such as the insurance coverage of the patients and the type of hospital involved. In New York some hospitals have average stays of about 12-days while others have average stays of well over a month.

From the information you provide, there is no way I can judge the quality of the care your brother-in-law is receiving.

Best regards . . .

Ivan
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