Professional grappler Andrew Wiltse has shared a detailed account of an incident where he was forcibly hospitalized during a manic episode, which culminated in a physical confrontation with law enforcement.
The incident began when Wiltse was walking through town during what he now recognizes was a manic episode. Multiple police officers approached him after receiving calls about someone wandering and talking to themselves. While initially cooperative, the situation escalated when officers attempted to bring him to a hospital.
“They drove me to one of the hospitals because they were concerned,” Wiltse recounted. After attempting to leave the facility, he was confronted by multiple police officers, security guards, and medical staff.
The situation turned physical when officers tried to restrain him.
“One of them puts their hand on my shoulder and says ‘you’re going to come inside with us,'” Wiltse described. The ensuing struggle involved multiple officers attempting to subdue him, including the use of a taser, which Wiltse claims had little effect.
During the confrontation, Wiltse managed to disarm an officer of their taser but chose not to use it, instead throwing it away. The incident ended with him being restrained and sedated. Medical tests later revealed extremely elevated protein levels in his blood from the physical exertion during the struggle.
Reflecting on the experience, Wiltse maintains he wasn’t a danger to himself or others at the time, though he acknowledges he was experiencing a manic episode. He has since sought treatment and is now properly medicated to prevent future episodes.
“I’m not really ashamed of the fact that I had a manic episode,” Wiltse stated, adding that he’s received overwhelming support from the jiu-jitsu community since sharing his story. He reports that his life is now on a positive trajectory, with a busy schedule of coaching and other professional commitments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGJpfc-hQPQ
We wish Andrew all the best in his recovery.
