And you just can't throw someone into a mental hospital, they have to exhibit symptoms that they are a danger to others or themselves.
Back in the 80's a close friend's brother was diagnosed as schizophrenic. He was a Vietnam vet, graduate of Univ. of Mich. and a successful executive recruiter. He eventually lost his wife, lost his house and lost his business. Throughout the summer he was living on a beach in northern Michigan while my friend tried to get him institutionalized.
The local judge, who was a friend of the family, couldn't do anything until fall came, threatening winter, that the judge could deem the brother a danger to himself due to the weather.
So he was placed in the state mental hospital for several weeks and put on drugs that stabilized him and he was released.
Those drugs are awful, they turn the patient into a zombie. While under the watchful eye of a social worker, the only j0bs he held was a grocery packer at a local market then a phone receptionist for a friend who had a real estate business. But like you said, if they stop taking their meds, which they are prone to, the cycle is repeated.
I live outside of Detroit as does my friend. one Thursday I received a phone call at work from the brother who said he was driving down to Detroit because he had an appointment with the French embassy the next day and needed a place to spend the night.
I said sure then immediately called my friend who said he would come to my house that evening. Sure enough, the brother showed up and the three of had pizza. The next morning I left work work leaving the brother at my place and when I got home from work, the brother was gone. Headed back up north I suspect.
When he was first developing the disease, which no one was aware of, he had visions of building a manufacturing business up north and was able to convince a couple of friends into investing in it. It never came to pass and he was never able to repay the monies he had borrowed.
Schizophrenia is a horrible disease, not only for the individual but their families and friends they are associated with.
Sadly, schizophrenia isn’t taken seriously until something bad happens.