Wildchild I would guess most people go when they are in danger, are at risk of harming others or are low functioning that they are no longer able to take care of basic needs such as eating. I have never gone on the chats here. Im sorry you were not able to find someone to comnect with there. Have you reached out for extra help in real life to help get you through this time right now?

Genetic, when I was hospitalized it was for mania. I was manic for about 5 months with no relief. Numerous med changes and adjustments in that time. I was not taken off any of my meds but my meds were increased all in the first day. I was given seroquel, risperdal, zyprexa, ativan, lithium and tegretol all at once. They continued to increase the dosages everyday unill the zyprexa was at 35 mg a day which is over the max dose. I fainted three times the first day in the halls. They couldn't understand why, but I already have low blood pressure. They increased the meds for almost two weeks that I was there, and when I could no longer tell if I was manic still or had any psychosis I was released. I'm not sure how they didn't kill me with so many meds. When is three AP's ever needed? I'm a pretty small person. Needless to say when I went home I could barely walk or talk from being so drugged. I was not offered any programs or anything like that. I would meet with the Pdoc for about 10 min each day to access how I was doing, that's about it. No one I saw had IV's. I think they did have groups for people with depression. This ward also dealt with detoxing from drug addiction. They probably also had groups to attend .

When my old pdoc retired I was reffered to the pdoc who treated me in the hospital to replace my old one. Might explain why I never see him. I am not sure this is the common experience, but not rare either I doubt. I think it should be impotant to have someone looking out for your interests and advocating for you while in the psych unit. After I was released for a few weeks broke it off with my long term bf because I could not feel anything and was conviced I was not in love with him. We had a few problems but nothing to break up over, we wern't arguing or anything either. Got off some of the meds, realized what a mistake I made and luckily he understood even tho he was heartbroken. That forsure was a result of being over medicated.

Ahh anyways that is my experience. I know many people have been truly helped in the hospital.