Which statement correctly differentiates DTS from DTO?

• A. DTO concerns harm to self; DTS concerns harm to others
• B. DTS concerns harm to self; DTO concerns harm to others
• C. DTS requires court order; DTO does not
• D. DTS means the person is unaware of their actions; DTO means they are aware

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that DTS and DTO describe who is at risk, not how aware someone is of their actions. Danger to self means there is a real risk the person could harm themselves or fail to take care of themselves due to a mental health condition. Danger to others means there is a real risk the person could harm someone else. So the statement that correctly differentiates them says DTS concerns harm to self while DTO concerns harm to others.

To put it in practice, think of someone expressing a plan to hurt themselves or engaging in self-destructive behavior as showing DTS. On the other hand, someone making threats, grabbing a weapon, or acting violently toward others would be considered DTO. The distinction isn’t about whether the person is aware of what they’re doing, and it isn’t about whether a court order is involved—those are separate considerations in how detention and treatment are arranged.