Court Opinion

ID: 3078545
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 01:36:54.888345+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:50:23.561154
License: Public Domain

COURT OF APPEALS
                          SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS
                               FORT WORTH

                              NO. 02-14-00209-CV
                              NO. 02-14-00210-CV

IN THE MATTER OF S.P.

                                       ----------

        FROM COUNTY COURT AT LAW NO. 2 OF WICHITA COUNTY
                TRIAL COURT NOS. 38616-L, 38620-L-D

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                                      OPINION

                                       ----------

      In one issue in each cause, Appellant S.P. contends that the evidence is

legally and factually insufficient to support the trial court’s temporary health

commitment order and subsequent order authorizing psychoactive medication.

Because we hold that the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to support

both orders, we affirm both orders.

Statement of Facts

      In June 2014, Appellant was admitted to North Texas State Hospital (the

hospital) after she was found lying naked on the floor of her home; all utilities in
the home had been turned off. She had previously been diagnosed with bipolar

disorder and had been a patient at the hospital on and off since she was a

teenager. The testifying physician’s (the physician’s) preliminary diagnosis was

schizoaffective disorder, but the physician explained that the two diagnoses are

very similar and that after she gained access to more records and background

information, she believed that the historical diagnosis of bipolar disorder was the

correct diagnosis.

      According to the physician, after Appellant’s admission to the hospital, she

had

      [n]o sleep; she[ was] up pretty much all night every night, dancing
      and singing. She[ was] nonsensical; when she sp[oke] she[ was] not
      coherent. She [did not] give any kind of logical explanation of why
      she [thought] she[ was in the hospital] or even where she [was]. So
      [the hospital personnel could not] really make any heads or tails of
      what she[ was] saying.

Appellant also did not appear to process information.

      The physician testified that the doctor who had admitted Appellant to the

hospital had prescribed lithium, risperdal, and klonopin, as well as therapy, but

Appellant refused to cooperate, so the treatment was discontinued.             The

physician requested the trial court to order antipsychotics, mood stabilizers,

sedatives, and possibly antidepressants.

      The physician believed that with medication, Appellant would begin

sleeping through the night, have normal sleep and wake cycles, be able to

communicate with others, be more coherent and logical, and eventually function

                                        2
in an outpatient setting.      But the physician believed that without medication,

Appellant would probably continue in her current state until her body became

exhausted.     The physician testified that the benefits and side effects of the

medications had been explained to Appellant, and the physician also testified

about the side effects psychoactive medications could cause:

              The antipsychotic medications can cause tremors or muscle
       stiffness. The mood stabilizer, Lithium, has very few side effects, but
       some people do get tremors, or dry mouth, or excess urination. And
       the sedative hypnotics can be oversedating, so somebody would be
       sleeping when you want them to be awake. Those are probably the
       major side effects.

       The physician nevertheless believed that the benefits of the medication

outweighed the potential side effects and believed that ordering medication

would be in Appellant’s best interest. The physician believed that no alternative

would likely produce the same results and no less intrusive treatment would likely

secure Appellant’s agreement to take the psychoactive medications.

       The physician also testified that Appellant lacked the capacity to make a

decision regarding the administration of medication because there was no

evidence that she understood or processed what she heard, and she was

incoherent. Even on the day of the hearing, Appellant’s counsel told the trial

court that when asked whether she wanted to appear at the hearing, Appellant

would just “look at [the person] and smile and start singing.”       The physician

testified that she believed that treatment with medication would improve

Appellant’s quality of life.

                                          3
      The trial court mistakenly named the admitting doctor and not the

physician as the testifying expert in the “Notification of Court’s Determination.”

Standard of Review

      Clear and convincing evidence must support temporary commitment

orders and orders authorizing medication. 1 Clear and convincing evidence is that

measure or degree of proof that will produce in the mind of the trier of fact a firm

belief or conviction as to the truth of the allegations sought to be established. 2

This intermediate standard of proof falls between the preponderance standard of

proof in most civil proceedings and the reasonable doubt standard of proof in

most criminal proceedings. 3 While the proof must be of a heavier weight than

merely the greater weight of the credible evidence, there is no requirement that

the evidence be unequivocal or undisputed. 4

      In evaluating the evidence for legal sufficiency, we must determine

whether the evidence is such that a factfinder could reasonably form a firm belief

      1
       Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 574.034(a) (West Supp. 2014),
§ .106(a-1) (West 2010); In re P.E.J., Nos. 02-13-00099-CV, 02-13-00100-CV,
2013 WL 4121081, at *1, *6 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Aug. 15, 2013, no pet.)
(mem. op.).
      2
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 41.001(2) (West 2008); Tex. Fam.
Code Ann. § 101.007 (West 2008); U-Haul Int’l, Inc. v. Waldrip, 380 S.W.3d 118,
137 (Tex. 2012); State v. K.E.W., 315 S.W.3d 16, 20 (Tex. 2010).
      3
      In re G.M., 596 S.W.2d 846, 847 (Tex. 1980); State v. Addington, 588
S.W.2d 569, 570 (Tex. 1979).
      4
       Addington, 588 S.W.2d at 570.

                                          4
or conviction that its finding was true. 5 We review all the evidence in the light

most favorable to the finding. 6 We resolve any disputed facts in favor of the

finding if a reasonable factfinder could have done so. 7 We disregard all evidence

that a reasonable factfinder could have disbelieved. 8 We consider undisputed

evidence even if it is contrary to the finding. 9 That is, we consider evidence

favorable to the finding if a reasonable factfinder could, and we disregard

contrary evidence unless a reasonable factfinder could not. 10 The factfinder, not

this court, is the sole judge of the credibility and demeanor of the witnesses. 11

      In evaluating the evidence for factual sufficiency, we determine whether,

on the entire record, a factfinder could reasonably form a firm conviction or belief

that its finding was true. 12 If, in light of the entire record, the disputed evidence

that a reasonable factfinder could not have credited in favor of the finding is so

significant that a factfinder could not reasonably have formed a firm belief or
      5
      K.E.W., 315 S.W.3d at 20; Columbia Med. Ctr. of Las Colinas, Inc. v.
Hogue, 271 S.W.3d 238, 248 (Tex. 2008) cert. denied, 290 S.W.3d 873 (2009).
      6
       Waldrip, 380 S.W.3d at 138; Hogue, 271 S.W.3d at 248.
      7
       K.E.W., 315 S.W.3d at 20; Hogue, 271 S.W.3d at 248.
      8
       Hogue, 271 S.W.3d at 248.
      9
       Id.; City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 817 (Tex. 2005).
      10
          See K.E.W., 315 S.W.3d at 20; Hogue, 271 S.W.3d at 248.
      11
          In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d 336, 346 (Tex. 2009).
      12
          In re H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d 105, 108 (Tex. 2006).

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conviction in the truth of its finding, then the evidence is factually insufficient. 13

We must not supplant the trial court’s judgment with our own. 14 The factfinder is

the sole judge of the credibility of witnesses and the weight to be given their

testimony. 15

Temporary Commitment Order

      Section 574.034 governs orders for temporary mental health services and

provides,

      (a)       The judge may order a proposed patient to receive court-
                ordered temporary inpatient mental health services only if the
                judge or jury finds, from clear and convincing evidence, that:

                (1)   the proposed patient is mentally ill; and

                (2)   as a result of that mental illness the proposed patient:

                      (A)   is likely to cause serious harm to himself;

                      (B)   is likely to cause serious harm to others; or

                      (C)   is:

                            (i)    suffering severe and abnormal mental,
                                   emotional, or physical distress;

                            (ii)   experiencing substantial mental or physical
                                   deterioration of the proposed patient’s
                                   ability to function independently, which is
                                   exhibited by the proposed patient’s inability,
                                   except for reasons of indigence, to provide
      13
        Id.
      14
        Id.; see also Barker v. Eckman, 213 S.W.3d 306, 314 (Tex. 2006).
      15
       H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d at 109; Golden Eagle Archery, Inc. v. Jackson, 116
S.W.3d 757, 761 (Tex. 2003).

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                                   for the proposed patient’s basic needs,
                                   including food, clothing, health, or safety;
                                   and

                          (iii)    unable to make a rational and informed
                                   decision as to whether or not to submit to
                                   treatment.

      ....

      (c)    If the judge or jury finds that the proposed patient meets the
             commitment criteria prescribed by Subsection (a), the judge or
             jury must specify which criterion listed in Subsection (a)(2)
             forms the basis for the decision.

      (d)    To be clear and convincing under Subsection (a), the
             evidence must include expert testimony and, unless waived,
             evidence of a recent overt act or a continuing pattern of
             behavior that tends to confirm:

             (1)    the likelihood of serious harm to the proposed patient or
                    others; or

             (2)    the proposed patient’s distress and the deterioration of
                    the proposed patient’s ability to function.

      ....

      (g)    An order for temporary inpatient or outpatient mental health
             services shall state that treatment is authorized for not longer
             than 90 days. The order may not specify a shorter period. 16

      In its order committing Appellant to the hospital for no more than ninety

days, the trial court found that

      [Appellant] is mentally ill and that as result of that mental
      illness[, Appellant] will[,] if not treated[,] continue to suffer severe and
      abnormal mental[,] emotional[,] or physical distress and will continue
      to experience deterioration of [her] ability to function
      independently[,] which is exhibited by [her] inability except for

      16
        Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 574.034 (West Supp. 2014).

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      reasons of indigence to provide for [her] basic needs including
      food[,] clothing[,] health[,] or safety; and is unable to make a rational
      and informed decision as to whether or not to submit to treatment.

      Appellant contends that there is no or insufficient evidence of “a recent

overt act or continuing pattern of behavior that tended to confirm a deterioration

of [her] ability to function.” We disagree. Taken together, Appellant’s inability

before her admission to the hospital to ensure that she had utilities in the Texas

summer, her not sleeping, her dancing and singing “all night[,] every night,” her

inability to process or communicate in the approximately two weeks between her

admission to the hospital and the hearing, and the physician’s testimony that

Appellant’s behaviors left unchecked would exhaust her body amount to

evidence from which the trial court could have reasonably formed a firm belief or

conviction that she exhibited “a continuing pattern of behavior that tended to

confirm . . . [a] deterioration of [Appellant’s] ability to function,” 17 whether we view

all the evidence in a light favorable to the finding or with due deference to the trial

judge. 18 We therefore hold that the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to

support the temporary commitment order, and we overrule Appellant’s sole issue

challenging that order.

      17
        See id. § 574.034(d)(2).
      18
       See Waldrip, 380 S.W.3d at 138; Hogue, 271 S.W.3d at 248; H.R.M.,
209 S.W.3d at 108.

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Order Authorizing Medication

      Section 574.106(a) of the health and safety code provides in relevant part

that the trial “court may issue an order authorizing the administration of one or

more classes of psychoactive medication to a patient who . . . is under a court

order to receive inpatient mental health services.” 19 Subsection (a-1) provides in

relevant part that to issue such an order, the trial court must “find[] by clear and

convincing evidence after the hearing . . . that the patient lacks the capacity to

make a decision regarding the administration of the proposed medication and

[that] treatment with the proposed medication is in the best interest of the

patient.” 20 Subsection (b) provides that in determining the patient’s best interest,

the trial court shall consider:

      (1)    the patient’s expressed preferences regarding treatment with
             psychoactive medication;

      (2)    the patient’s religious beliefs;

      (3)    the risks and benefits, from the perspective of the patient, of
             taking psychoactive medication;

      (4)    the consequences to the patient           if   the psychoactive
             medication is not administered;

      (5)    the prognosis for the patient if the patient is treated with
             psychoactive medication;

      19
        Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 574.106(a) (West 2010).
      20
        Id. § 574.106(a–1).

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      (6)    alternative, less intrusive treatments that are likely to produce
             the same results as treatment with psychoactive medication;
             and

      (7)    less intrusive treatments likely to secure the patient’s
             agreement to take the psychoactive medication. 21

      “‘Capacity’ means a patient’s ability to . . . understand the nature and

consequences of a proposed treatment, including the benefits, risks, and

alternatives to the proposed treatment; and [to] make a decision whether to

undergo the proposed treatment.” 22

      Appellant initially challenges the legal and factual sufficiency of the

evidence supporting the trial court’s finding that she lacked capacity to make a

decision regarding the administration of the proposed medication.             But the

evidence that Appellant was found in June, lying nude on the floor in her Texas

home, with all the utilities cut off; she was up “pretty much all night[,] every night”

singing and dancing during her approximate two-week stay at the hospital before

the hearing; she did not sleep; she demonstrated an inability to process or

communicate by speaking nonsensical, incoherent language; and when asked

whether she wanted to attend the hearing, she smiled and began singing is such

that the trial court could reasonably have formed a firm belief or conviction that

Appellant lacked capacity, whether we review all of the evidence in the light most

      21
        Id. § 574.106(b).
      22
        Id. § 574.101(1).

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favorable to the finding 23 or merely show proper deference to the trial court. 24

We therefore hold that the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to support

the trial court’s finding of incapacity.

      Appellant also contends that the evidence is legally and factually

insufficient to show that treatment with the proposed medication is in her best

interest because no specific medication was proposed during the hearing; the

State presented no specific therapeutic benefits of any one of the four classes of

drugs discussed at the hearing—antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, sedatives, and

antidepressants; and there was no evidence as to the side effects of

antidepressants from Appellant’s perspective. According to Appellant, “The trial

court, therefore, had no evidence at all before it of ‘the risks . . . from the

perspective of the patient[]’ of taking the antidepressant medication [that the

physician] might prescribe from that class, in violation of the [section]

574.106(b)(3) requirement that it consider same.” We disagree on all counts.

      As the State points out, the health and safety code does not require a

medication to be specifically named. 25 Further, while the physician did not parse

her testimony about the benefits of each class of medication, she testified

adequately about the benefits of the requested medications. She testified that

      23
        See Waldrip, 380 S.W.3d at 138; Hogue, 271 S.W.3d at 248.
      24
        See H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d at 108.
      25
        See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 574.106 (West 2010).

                                           11
with the requested medications, Appellant would start sleeping all night and

having normal sleep and wake cycles, would have the ability to communicate

with others and have logical, coherent speech, and would eventually receive

outpatient treatment instead of being confined in the hospital.

      As to the absence of the evidence of “the risks . . . , from the perspective of

the patient, of taking” antidepressants, the statute does not require the trial court

to make findings on the subsection (b) factors. 26 Further, we see nothing in the

statute requiring the State to offer evidence from the proposed patient’s

perspective. 27 Appellant did not personally appear or testify at the hearing, nor

      26
       Id. § 574.106(a–1), (b); In re R.S.C., 921 S.W.2d 506, 514 (Tex. App.—
Fort Worth 1996, no writ).
      27
         See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 574.106; State ex rel. W.W., No.
12-13-00045-CV, 2013 WL 3156312, at *6 (Tex. App.—Tyler June 19, 2013, no
pet.) (mem. op.) (“Because W.W. presented evidence to the trial court of his
preference to avoid an increased dose . . . based upon its side effects and
ineffectiveness, it is presumed that the trial court gave his preferences due
consideration.”); In re T.O.R., No. 02-12-00376-CV, 2013 WL 362747, at *5 (Tex.
App.—Fort Worth Jan. 31, 2013, no pet.) (mem. op.) (“T.O.R. did not present any
evidence to dispute Sobiesk’s testimony about the medications’ benefits and the
ineffectiveness of alternative treatments.”); M.H. v. State ex rel. M.H., No. 01-09-
00205-CV, 2009 WL 2050988, at *4–5 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 16,
2009, no pet.) (mem. op.) (holding evidence sufficient to support trial court’s best
interest finding when patient did not present any evidence to dispute physician’s
testimony about benefits of treatment with psychoactive medications and lack of
alternative treatments); State ex rel. A.R.F., No. 12-03-00294-CV, 2004 WL
1123832, at *3 (Tex. App.—Tyler May 19, 2004, no pet.) (mem. op.) (“Dr. Plyler’s
testimony encompassed the factors in Section 574.106 except A.R.F.’s religious
beliefs. A.R.F. presented no testimony on that factor.”); State ex rel. D.P., No.
12-03-00005-CV, 2003 WL 21998759, at *7 (Tex. App.—Tyler Aug. 20, 2003, no
pet.) (“Dr. Srinivasan’s testimony encompassed the factors in Section 574.106,
except for D.P.’s religious beliefs. D.P. did not offer evidence of her religious

                                         12
did her counsel call any witnesses or cross-examine the physician regarding the

risks of antidepressant use from Appellant’s perspective. Finally, the physician

summarized the risks she presented with the statement, “Those are probably the

major side effects.” The trial court could have properly inferred that the physician

believed that no major side effects other than “tremors or muscle stiffness” would

result from antidepressant use should they in fact be prescribed for Appellant. 28

       We likewise reject Appellant’s contention that the physician’s best interest

opinion is conclusory.     The physician opined that the medications are in

Appellants best interest after testifying about the pros and cons of the

psychoactive medication; the opinion is not a bare statement lacking foundation

in the record. 29

       Other than Appellant’s religious preferences and specific, direct evidence

regarding the risks of antidepressants from her perspective, the trial court had

beliefs. D.P. did express her preference to be free of medications . . . .”); R.S.C.,
921 S.W.2d at 514 (“The evidence in the record, which we have discussed
already, clearly demonstrates that in determining the need for Appellant’s
psychoactive medication, the court considered all of the factors except
Appellant’s religious beliefs, on which she offered no evidence.”).
       28
       See Russell v. Russell, 865 S.W.2d 929, 933 (Tex. 1993) (noting a fact
may be proved by circumstantial evidence when the fact may be fairly and
reasonably inferred from other facts).
       29
       See Arkoma Basin Exploration Co. Inc. v. FMF Assocs. 1990-A, Ltd., 249
S.W.3d 380, 389 & n.32 (Tex. 2008); Concentra Health Servs., Inc. v. Everly, No.
02-08-00455-CV, 2010 WL 1267775, at *10 n.45 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth April 1,
2010, no pet.).

                                         13
evidence before it regarding all the factors, and we presume that the trial court

considered it. 30 Examining the evidence detailed above, we hold that the trial

court could have reasonably formed a firm belief or conviction that treatment with

psychoactive medication—antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, sedatives, and

antidepressants—was in Appellant’s best interest under both the legal 31 and the

factual 32 sufficiency standards of review. We therefore hold that the evidence is

legally and factually sufficient to support the trial court’s best interest finding.

      In her last subissue, Appellant complains that the written document entitled

“Notification of Court’s Determination” wrongly indicates that the doctor who

admitted her to the hospital testified.      The notification requirement in section

574.106(g) is met by the trial court’s order to compel psychoactive medication. 33

From this order, Appellant could ascertain what evidence was relied upon and

the reasons for the trial court’s findings. 34 Further, Appellant appeared at the

hearing through counsel, counsel cross-examined the physician, and counsel’s

      30
      See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 574.106(b); W.W., 2013 WL
3156312, at *6.
      31
        See Waldrip, 380 S.W.3d at 138; Hogue, 271 S.W.3d at 248.
      32
        See H.R.M., 209 S.W.3d at 108.
      33
      See In re M.E.S., No. 04-02-00614-CV, 2003 WL 1240002, at *4 (Tex.
App.—San Antonio Mar. 19, 2003, no pet.) (mem. op.); R.S.C., 921 S.W.2d at
515.
      34
        See M.E.S., 2003 WL 1240002, at *4; R.S.C., 921 S.W.2d at 515.

                                           14
knowledge is imputed to Appellant. 35      Finally, Appellant timely filed a brief

complaining of the order. Thus, she can show no harm from this clerical mistake

in a notice document. 36

Conclusion

      Having rejected all arguments raised in Appellant’s sole issue in each

cause, we affirm the trial court’s temporary health commitment order and

subsequent order authorizing the hospital to administer psychoactive medication.

                                                  /s/ Lee Ann Dauphinot
                                                  LEE ANN DAUPHINOT
                                                  JUSTICE

PANEL: DAUPHINOT, GARDNER, and MEIER

DELIVERED: August 29, 2014

      35
        See Am. Flood Research, Inc. v. Jones, 192 S.W.3d 581, 584 (Tex.
2006); In re D.K., No. 02-09-00117-CV, 2009 WL 5227514, at *2 (Tex. App.—
Fort Worth Dec. 31, 2009, no pet.) (mem. op.).
      36
        See M.E.S., 2003 WL 1240002, at *4; R.S.C., 921 S.W.2d at 515.

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