I have been voluntarily admitted to IP twice. The first time, I was manic and felt it, but went out drinking with friends and was having a great time until I felt the lows hitting. And they hit hard. I got home and freaked out. My roommate/best friend was also having emotional/mental issues so she was no help and I ended up cutting myself to relieve the stress and it worked. But she called the cops and they talked me into getting help. So my counselor came after I sobered up at the hospital and she asked how things were (I was unmedicated due to not being diagnosed with bipolar I yet, and I had been waiting for a psych eval for two months). I told her not good but I was NOT going to the IP where I lived (because I had several friends that had been there and it was NOT a good place). But she referred me to the better hospital an hour away and it wasn't bad. I stayed for four days and after seeing the psychiatrist there the first morning, he said I didn't just have depression, I was bipolar, and that's why I kept cycling through being extremely down and then on top of the world. He put me on lithium.

The second time I was put in IP I called 911 myself. My bf at the time was super confused and being no help and just kept telling me I was "just fine and calm down." But I knew that I'd been manic for a couple weeks and the downfall was coming, and I started to cut and then stopped and just called. I stayed a full week that time and I was switched to Tegretol and Ativan from lithium and Xanax.

I do not have kids. The second time I had a job, told them I was hospitalized and they were fine with it. I even took extra days off at home to settle back down and they were really understanding.

I did not like going to groups. I am a smart *** and most of the time, group leaders don't like it. I was told off multiple times for "deflecting" instead of "feeling" the last time I was hospitalized. I wasn't- I am naturally a humorous smart ***, no matter what I'm feeling like. I had knee surgery recently and was just given the anesthetic, and was being wheeled into the surgery room. It was ice cold and the nurse asked if I was cold and wanted a blanket. I was about to pass out but said, "I'd prefer a hot tottie," right before falling asleep.

I don't like speaking in groups. I did go to one group after my DUI though, and it was helpful. It was court-ordered so I had no choice, but the leader was interesting and smart (ex-doctor that lost his license because he stole morphine). So it might be I just had crap luck with group therapy.