Last month I was hospitalized for the sixth time. Experiences vary, depending on which unit/hospital I ended up at. My first hospitalization was 3 months long, that was when I was first diagnosed. My second hospitalization was 3 months, but that was 6 weeks in acute mental health and 6 weeks in a step-down unit meant to help build independence. Third, fourth, and fifth were about 14 days, and this last one was 10 days. I hope it's a good thing that my stays are getting much shorter, but they're still not fun experiences.

Generally, it helps a lot when I first get there because except for the first time, they all at least started with depression/psychosis so having people keep an eye on me helped. Even being hospitalized while manic has helped because it minimizes the damage I do. But once I start feeling better, all I want is to get out.