gravvvy, I believe your instincts to go to that treatment option are good. I have had several psych hospital/psych ward stays which were two to three weeks and they did wonders for me - probably saved my life. It's not fun in there. When I went in I was very sick, obviously, and you sort of feel, every minute of the day, and I getting better yet? But that doesn't atter. The stability you get, you are given your meds at set times everyday so you don't have to think about it, you are given meals (different arrangements for different places - some have caf-type arrangements) at set times , some other options) and don't have to worry about it. The psych nurses are there for you TWENTY FOUR HOURS A DAY. They are there simply for you psych recovery and physical and mental health, and yes, you have your psyycdoc visiting too - keeping track of everything. The other thing you can do while in there is go through any med changes, which as you know are very taxing on us when we are going through them all by ourselves at home - again, the psych nurses observe and loook after you.

I haven't paid money outright to get into the psych hospital, which was private, but I pay private insurance and have done for years, so with an excess of $300AUD I was in when I went to the private psych hospital. I've also been in a public psych ward where I live now. To be honest, they weren't that much different - just fewer day programs etc in the public one - but it sounds like the one you are considering would have the full deal - day programs included.

I'm an 11 years sober alcoholic and the only reason I have stayed sober so long is becuase I take the AA credo of "Go to any lengths to stay sober" deadly seriously and I do go to any lengths - and they can be dramatic - to stay sober.

Likewise with our mental health - it is our very lifeline and I believe that it is worth investing money to get a higher level of treatment to take you that next step in recovery - and have a break from the struggles of our home life. As our mental health frays away, we suffer so much more and are in more dangerous territory. And I think we are worth large investments.

Sometimes we need to stand up to our psychdocs if they are not acting in our interests. Have another chat with him.