I have been hospitalized an embarrassing number of times in my life. Discounting the ones as a teen, there have been two distinct time periods of hospital trips for me as an adult. When I was 18/19, I struggled with trauma from my childhood, which led me to act out against myself and others. Bipolar was probably there too but I ignored that. It was mostly BPD tendencies. Anyway I would run to the hospital every time I felt I just couldn't face my life anymore. It had nothing to do with safety that year because I never wanted help, just a place to hide from myself and my problems. So I never came out any better those times, not until the last one where I received ECT for my crippling depression.

This year, having confronted the trauma issues and dealt with them, I have been left to conclude that I perhaps do indeed have bipolar disorder. I've been in the hospital three times this year, and each time it was because I was mixed and truly feared for my safety. Because of this, and because I was willing to accept help, I had a much better experience. The last stay in august stabilized me completely, which is a miracle. But it only worked because I used the place.

I guess my point is a hospital is not going to magically cure you. They don't keep you there long enough for that. I went in July and came out even more depressed, even though thy started a new AD. Especially if your problem is depression, because often mood stabilizers and ADs don't work for a couple of weeks. But a hospital can put you on the righ track and keep you safe until you feel better about facing your life. It just can't be used as an escape. Yor problems will be waiting for you when you get out.

Another thing is they may not admit you if you are not a danger to yourself. I've had many of my students go to the crisis center after saying they were suicidal but they still were not admitted. However I personally have been admitted every time, even when I adamantly denied being unsafe, so you never know.

As for length of stay, average is 5-7 days, unless you are in a crisis stabilization unit (which they don't have in NJ) which from what I hear can be only up to 72hours.

I hope they can gt you on the right track! You will still have work to do when you get out but maybe you'll at least be more hopeful!