Can you prove your sanity?

[Escapefromwhatever]

Ask him for a TIME magazine, read it, and then have a rational discussion with him about it. It seems to me like acting sane will pretty much do the trick.

 

[ICantBelieveItGoesBoom]

Just be myself. Eventually they'll see that I'm normal. Failing that, I'd ask what I'm in for and ask for an exam.

 

[Shru1kan]

You can't.

It was shown in a study a while ago (It's far too late for me to bother digging out the details now), that onc patients had been admitted to a mental institute, even if they ceased showing all symptoms, and maintained their sanity, along with the other patients complaining that they weren't crazy, the doctors kept them in and continued to medicate them.

Basically, the attitude of the medical profesion remains, treat anyone in an insane asylum as if tey are insane. Most of their tests are designed to find what sort of insanity you have, rather than prove your sanity, and since everyone will show some signs of something on the DSM, you will be classed as insane.

Basically this.

At first I would play along, agree that I am who they say I am and try to play it out eventually. But then what if THAT is the test to see if you are insane, playing along and changing your reality at the mere suggestion of it not being as you think it is can't be good.

 

[yoyo13rom]

This would be one of my own worst nightmares; that's why when I first visited an asylum for mentally unstable people, I was continuously thinking: got to pass the psychiatric exam; fucking got to pass it!!!!

I sum up the story: I was there for a depression test(which I failed) because the doctor had to go visit the asylum and had no time for a private consultation. My depression was caused by my overachieving parents, and the "suicidal girlfriend incident"...

OT: I could not prove my sanity. But I would try multiple things to get out:
1. Acting sane and not taking the meds while I investigate the structural weaknesses of the asylum.(the stealthy method)
2. I would act crazy and be brutal and constantly fight my way out (brutal approache)

 

[SkullCap]

I've never paid money to see a movie by Aaron Seltzer and Jason Friedburg.

 

[ChocoFace]

I can question my sanity, which proves I am capable of rational thought, and therefore reason.

Reason implies a logical process, which means that I have the capacity to take note of my situation, extrapolate the results of any actions I take, and then act on what I believe is the best action.

Because I can question my sanity, I am therefore sane.

would you at this point in time question your own sanity?

 

[Me55enger]

watch and re-watch (and then watch once again) Twelve Monkeys and see how the bloody hell Willis did it in a scenario which is far worse than the one you just made.

Simple.

Worked for me...

...I think...

 

[Stabby McRunfast]

First I would ask to speak to a lawyer. And then, with one present, would under go any test asked to prove my sanity.

 

[f0re1gn]

I'd ask about the things i need to do to prove my sanity. I could easily play along and lie... I think i'd get out in some time.

 

[Tonimata]

Oh ok, that would be pretty easy, just having a normal conversation with the doctor and demonstrating my incredible capabilitt for rational and abstract thought. But if I had to do it right here, just out of scratch, I wouldn't be able to. I am just insane almost all the time

 

[nart_21086]

I shall steal from Yahtzee: "Short answer: No. Long answer: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..."

 

[Nasti]

Act insane to the staff, use my more logical brain to dupe all the inmates into becoming my minions/worshipers, form my own facist state.

 

[KnytFyre]

I think one thing people are missing on this is, the moment they believe you to be insane, which they already have reached that conclusion by the time you wake up in this scenario, they will begin to medicate you. Probably so fairly strong anti-psychotics. This is going to impair your ability to convince anyone of anything at all. Think being as drunk as you've ever been (or worse) with the addition of muscle relaxants. You can't say you'd refuse to take the medication, because even if you did refuse you'd be bound and give the medications. You have to realize that everyone in an asylum is claiming sanity. What you say and do will not be anything new to them, and they will react accordingly. Your best chance for success is to ask to speak with the doctor before you take your first set of medication. Explain to the nurse you will willing take the medication after you speak with the doctor, but that you'll need your mental faculties un-hindered when you speak with him. If you are lucky enough that this get's you a face to face with your doctor you may be able to inform him of the mistake. Tell him your proper name and the names and contact information of people that would be able to identify you. You could then also ask to remain un-medicated and under observation for a few days to show that you pose no threat to yourself or others. If this request is granted, very likely it won't be, you'll likely be placed in a form of solitary to protect the other patients.

All in all, I do not think it would be possible on your own to convince a doctor that you are sane. Only others who could confirm your identity would be able to help you. But then you have another problem. If you are in this situation in our modern world, then someone very likely put you there and has spent a lot of time and resources to accomplish it. Should this very sane and logical thought enter your head at anytime, you would not be able to express it to anyone because the end result would be that of you looking paranoid.

The ultimate catch 22. If I say I am sane, I must be crazy, but only a crazy person would admit they might not be sane.

 

[ffxfriek]

Well, thanks to the radio, I've learnt that scientists tested this by going in to a mental institution claiming of hearing voices, then just acting completely normal. They were let out at an average of 20 or so days.

Everyone in there will be saying they are sane, so there's nothing you really can do.

Also, what is sanity? A man hearing voices will seem sane to himself, as to him, he is hearing voices.

Edit:

it was shown in a study a while ago (It's far too late for me to bother digging out the details now), that onc patients had been admitted to a mental institute, even if they ceased showing all symptoms, and maintained their sanity, along with the other patients complaining that they weren't crazy, the doctors kept them in and continued to medicate them.

Stupid ninjas, always saying something that I'm about to say.

you got me too. this was quite intersting yet frightening

 

[wildpeaks]

But I am insane. So why would I want to prove I'm not?

Because life's more fun outside padded walls.

 

[userwhoquitthesite]

Probably not. I'm not entirely sure I AM sane.

 

[Darth Rahu]

I would ask about my so called "real identity" and my position in life. Then ask the doctor how I could be like that when I have years of experience in another field. If there is information that says I was partially trained then that will be shot down. I'll act normal and rational for a while towards the doctors as they convince me of my real life, then ask more questions, trying to find more incongrueities and speak rationally how I am who I say I am. But if it all adds up and I really do appear to be who they say I am...I'll take the conspiracy route of things, get contact on the outside while they "treat" me and plot an escape.

Yes, I'm paranoid... but I'm not crazy.

As to overcoming the anti-psychotics...I've dealt with worse in the past....

 

[FactualSquirrel]

you got me too. this was quite intersting yet frightening

But not entirely fair.

If a man is hearing voices, it is their job to lock him up and then make sure he lives.

They have absolutely nothing to do with helping them.

Although it is still scary, and one guy had to stay in for something like 60 days with minimal sane contact and surrounded by insane people.