I think in general you know when it is time for IP. Sometimes we don't acknowledge it until it is too late and either things are really bad when we go in or we wind up involuntary but with a therapist and pdoc monitoring and helping I've known when it was time. I've always been voluntary and recommend that. I almost was sent involuntarily years before I ever actually went (new pdoc who was trigger happy but I argued so hard I won) and I know the sense of control that I signed in helped me.

I don't know how to say how I know when I know but I do. If someone is on here asking if they should go IP the answer is generally yes.

I hope you can continue to stay outpatient but develop confidence that IP isn't the end o the world.