Should I call the Police?

[humadum]

My son is 20. We live together. He has some serious mental health problems, including an eating disorder (bulimia), OCD, health anxieties and more. However, the last time he saw a mental health professional was when he was 14 and he was diagnosed with GAD.

At that time, we were going through difficult family issues, and the GAD was said to be attributable to this context, autism was also suggested (we have a family history of ASD) but my son declined to pursue assessment.

Now, his days comprise rituals involving excessive exercise (walking 16 miles, cycling 10 miles and so on) and obsessive folding, ordering cleaning. He is socially isolated and has no job, no friends and no social activities.

His behaviour towards me is becoming increasingly aggressive and I am scared. I encourage him to seek help for his MH issues, but he refuses. I have acquired information for BEAT and from the mental health practitioner at the GP's surgery, but he refuses to look at it. He alternates from being childlike and so vulnerable (wanting hugs and back-scratches) to being abusive and violent (breaking objects, pulling my hair, grabbing me and pinning me to the wall threatening me). I know he has mental health issues, but this behaviour is intolerable and I find myself walking on eggshells when he is at home.

I am seriously thinking of calling the police, due to his behaviour towards me, because (a) it may be a wake up call and (b) I am desperate for other people to know about his MH and to try to get him help.

In your opinion, is this a foolish idea?

Sorry you are going through this, it is a difficult decision to make. Does he understand his behaviour is due to his mental health? Is he willing to seek help?
From your information, it sounds like he does lack insight and not willing to seek help. It would therefore follow that he is risking his own health and can be a risk to your safety. If you are in a situation when you feel threatened, he is hurting you or himself again, I would think calling the Police would be the best way to get him the help he needs, in order to keep him and yourself safe. They work with outreach mental health teams that may accompany them
It is really hard to get help for another adult unless the person wants help or is self-harming or suicidal. I would call your local Crisis team and flag up your concern, they could hopefully advise you too. You should be able to find their contact number on the website of your local mental health community trust
Rethink and MIND websites may be helpful too

If he is being violent towards you, then absolutely call the police! It might not lead to help straight away, but he might realise that his behaviour is not acceptable and might try to change it.
It will be a long process anyway.