I was IP for 7 weeks last summer and it was a really good experience. But I was also on a specialized unit within a major psych hospital, so that obviously affected the level of care.

We had group therapy about 4 times a day, but it was optional - the only requirement was you had to go to one group a day. We also got to go out to go to a gym and work out 3 times a day. I saw my pdoc about every other day. I was assigned a primary care nurse who did my meds and I could talk to her about anything at almost any time. She also found and gave me "homework" to do when I wasn't in group.

I was on a locked floor, but because I was a voluntary patient, I could sign myself in and out pretty much as I wanted so I could go for a walk, for coffee, or to attend AA meetings.

They don't let you have any sharps on you or in your room. But they did let me sign out a razor that I had brought so that I could shave my legs.

Generally my only complaint was that it was kind of boring. Aside from group therapy there's not much to do. At first this didn't bother me because I was too depressed to care, but as I started getting better, I really had to find activities to keep myslef occupied.

Good luck if you decide to go.

--spltimage