I've been in 3 times. The first was for only 4 days (my family insisted they discharge me so they could bring me half way across the country to 'home'. This was when I received my diagnosis. In hindsite, I can look back and see the times I was likely manic as well as those occasions I suffered terrible depression. I'm pretty sure I could have used the hospital well before the first time. I have since checked myself in twice more, the latest for 8 weeks.

I do not look at the hospital negatively. For me, it is a refuge.