People Feel Overlooked In These "Am I The Jerk?" Stories

"My family member (let's call her Rita) suddenly lost her husband about a year and a half ago. A few months later, she began seeing a man who suddenly passed due to a heart attack. During all of this, she began to believe that her neighbors were harassing her by standing outside her windows, tapping on her windows and doors, and playing music. We added cameras to her property and taught her how to use them. The harassment continued, and the police got involved. No one was seen. Rita's doctor suggested that she start seeing a psychiatrist to help her with grief back in October. The psychiatrist prescribed her some medications, and we thought things were getting better. They did not. In the past few months, things have escalated. She believes they are on her roof, destroying her SUV, and throwing fireworks at her house. The police department has continued to respond to almost daily calls, and some have threatened to arrest her. One of the officers relates to our situation and has been updating the family on her as she calls. A few days ago, our family received a call stating that she had called the fire department, claiming that they were trying to set her house on fire. They didn't find any evidence. Yesterday, she called again to report that they were on her roof shooting fireworks. The officer responded and did not see anything. He said he went about a block down the street, out of view, to see if the neighbor would come back, but he did not see anything. When he returned to her house, Rita was adamant that they were on her roof shooting fireworks as soon as he left. He called the family to report on the situation and asked that someone convince her to go to a hospital to be checked out. He has advised the family on many occasions that she might need a psychological evaluation. I called her today to talk and suggested that maybe her medication was worsening the situation. Rita became irate, stating that I didn't believe her, and neither did the officer. She has also said she no longer wants me in her life. At this point, I am ready for this to end as it is tearing the family apart. My sister and I signed documents to involuntarily commit her. Rita has been sending messages to me, and I do not want to talk to her anymore. AITJ for committing her and wanting no more contact?" Another User Comments: "NTJ. I think you have Rita's best interests at heart. She needs to be assessed and if committing her is the way for that to happen, then just let it be. She isn't likely to check herself in and at this rate, she's liable to be arrested or fined for all of those emergency calls. Thanks for doing the right thing, OP. Sometimes, it sure doesn't feel good." ChicagoWhiteSox35 Another User Comments: "NTJ for getting her the help she needs. Remember, she may be suffering from some sort of undiagnosed mental illness, and so these "happenings" are real to her rather than something she is doing to annoy you and other family members. Hopefully, she will get the help she needs now and begin doing better. In the meantime, if she is sending you annoying messages, it probably is best that you not respond to them." Realistic_Head4279 Another User Comments: "NTJ. Rita clearly needs help before she gets to the point of harming herself and/or others. Although one could argue that harassing her neighbors and tying up first responders' resources is a kind of harm, not to mention that she's clearly not happy. She's living in a constant state of fear and anxiety, flooded with stress hormones. None of that is good for her. This is one of the cases where leaving someone alone is not the solution." labasic