My Support Forums - View Single Post - Bipolar check-in #63

Nammu · Feb 28, 2022 at 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BethRags

IP isn't as available for all of us as it is for some. I'm amazed at how many Americans can choose to go IP. For example, I live in a town with 1 (regular) hospital that has a whole 6 beds for psych patients. Those beds are always full, and the ward is just 1 short hallway big.

What happens if I go into the ER with a psych emergency is that they'll hold me for 24 hours in a tiny room with a bed that almost fills it, no window, no TV. It's a cell. I would have to request a guard to walk me to the bathroom. Then IF the psychiatrist (who at this particular hospital is a really bitter, vindictive man) decides to keep me IP I have to be driven by ambulance for anything from 90 minutes to 3 hours to an IP hospital that has a bed. Most likely, I'd end up in some town or city I'm not very familiar with.

Needless to say, I am far from likely to go IP. The situation is the same everywhere in this state...a drastic bed shortage - unless a patient can pay out of pocket at an upscale facility. LAck of access to psychiatric care, and especially to IP facilities is the major reason for the massive number of homeless people on our streets.

Anyway. I'm glad your doggie is doing better today. I understand your fear about diabetes, but I believe that if he had it there would be no doubt. The major symptom is ravenous hunger...my cat was so hungry prior to her diagnosis that she would grab lettuce from a salad. It was beyond strange.

Our mask mandate, thank heavens, was lifted a couple of weeks ago. I'm still very cautious with hand washing and distancing when possible, but it is a monumental relief to be able to go to the grocery store and be able to breathe freely!

That’s how it is here too. There’s no ip in my town, they have to drive you hours away and often out of state. When I first moved here 4-5 years ago there was an ongoing investigation reported in the newspaper about the lack of mental health care. As a result 5 counties got together and built a facility but it’s mostly outpatient and mostly for the one city that it’s located in. I would not want to go ip here. They do have a geriatric unit about 50 minutes away that I probably qualify for now, but that’s usually full too.