[Berries]

Has anyone been committed to a state hospital?

Did you get sufficient care or did you leave more screwed up than when you went in?

What I know from my Sister is it is NOT where you'd want to be!
That it is not a safe place.

[gravyyy]

I know from school experiences that typically state hospitals are for long term treatment. While some people eventually leave, it's a long process. I have heard of patients being there for many years. State hospitals often only take patients from inpatient hospital settings and take the patients who don't have a chance at improvement in their condition in a short amount of time. State hospitals often have a separate area for those deemed criminally insane and often times those patients never leave (often housed on a separate part of the hospital grounds than the straight mentally ill patients). All-in-all, state hospitals are intense, often impersonal and have a "treat the problem not the patient" mindset where they don't aim to help the person recover but rather keep the person subdued. It's not typically a place for high functioning people to go. Again, I don't know from personal experience but I have been in those setting doing clinical rotations in school and that's what I've found to be true. Hope this helps. Take care

[Slick399]

I would rather donate my left leg than be incarcerated in a state institution.

Slick399

[NuckingFutz]

i would rather eat horse **** than go back to a state hospital and i was numb. You know, even jail was a more pleasant experience!

[Crazynurse]

berries......I concur with gravyyy......I too did clinical rotations in our state mental institution and my ex-mother-in-law was a patient in our's on 2 occasions.....I really don't think this is a "healing" place for you if you have any other alternative.....personally I would NOT be admitted to a state institution.......peace of body, mind and spirit to you hon

[thinker22]

I think my reply got removed from here. I wonder what I said wrong. Sorry if I offended anyone. I said no also, unless absolutely necessary for your safety temporarily.

[JourneyUpward]

Hi Berries,

If you are looking for a psych hospital I suggest that you try to find out if your county or one nearby has a smaller one totally dedicated to mental issues (and sometimes substance abuse issues as well). Since that is their focus they are totally up-to-date on the illnesses we face. The staff there are there because this is their choice, their interest.

My Pdoc told me of one that is about 1/2 hour from my home. I called to ask questions and the receptionist took a great chunk of time to tell me exactly what to expect: if I had to go there. I would be brought to an area I'd feel safe. Someone would come to talk with me and determine how serious my symptoms are. She assured me that everyone there is dedicated to helping us get well. I believe her. She was sincere, gentle and caring to relieve my fear while giving me the info I needed. I couldn't believe she took so much time with me.

If they determined I only need the day or 1/2 a day to have someone sit with me for therapy and help, I could go home after that. If my condition was considered too serious to go home, they would admit me and give me therapy for as long as I needed to even out and not be a threat to myself.

They also have an outpatient program. They will help patients who aren't even close to suicidal but having other issues and a hard time coping with daily life. These hospitals are not usually county run. There is only one of this type in my county in the State of FL, the other is a state run facility.

State run facilities are staffed by doctors and staff who are employed by the state. Many are working for their State perks and pensions. There are a few of them throughout the State truly care and take a real interest in patients. I know this because I've worked for another State for 20 years--5 or 6 of those years was in a medical/hospital unit within a larger facility. I've heard some bad stories, although there are a few facilities that aren't full of the major horror stories. Still, they are full of terribly serious cases and many also house criminals.

I wish you well in your search. Did you try any local hospitals? Some of them have small psych units but they don't advertise it. The number of rooms available is limited.

I hope this helps, JourneyUpward

[thinker22]

I've been searching all over NAMI and my state and local gov pages and can't find a single mental health facility or psych ward other than in the capital city which is 4.5 hours away. I & my partner want to be aware of where I'd be going in case I have a manic episode again. I know where they took me the first time, but that was only a local hospital for an eval. I wonder if they would just keep a person there or transfer them somewhere else. I'll keep searching and PM me if anyone has ideas of where else I can look. Thanks.

[MissE1088]

im seriously considering going to a mental facility as well. i can't deal with daily life anymore. i am not suicidal but ive withered away into a ball of bad emotions sadness and hopelessness, having nervous breakdowns on a daily basis, if not more than once a day. i dont know what to do with myself anymore and i have isolated myself this past couple of years from family and friends and i have no one anymore to talk to or confide in, or seek advice because i have no money for doctors. i dont know what to do anymore..

[MickG]

Originally Posted by MissE1088

im seriously considering going to a mental facility as well. i can't deal with daily life anymore. i am not suicidal but ive withered away into a ball of bad emotions sadness and hopelessness, having nervous breakdowns on a daily basis, if not more than once a day. i dont know what to do with myself anymore and i have isolated myself this past couple of years from family and friends and i have no one anymore to talk to or confide in, or seek advice because i have no money for doctors. i dont know what to do anymore..

It can be a healing and safe place to be but I was in one on numerous occasions when psychotic so I did not have the benefit of being actively engaged in my treatment. You should make certain you have an advocate on the outside to assist when need be because they will certainly want to medicate you with or without your consent.

By the way, once in you are on their clock not yours. Don't expect a release when convenient.

[MissE1088]

mickg, ive gone my whole life with trying to help myself and get myself out of my mind, and i have never had any type of help from anyone. would it be so bad if i was medicated? i mean ive never been on any meds so if i went in the hospital i would be ok with doing what ever they think is necessary.

[Berries]

Originally Posted by MissE1088

mickg, ive gone my whole life with trying to help myself and get myself out of my mind, and i have never had any type of help from anyone. would it be so bad if i was medicated? i mean ive never been on any meds so if i went in the hospital i would be ok with doing what ever they think is necessary.

MissE--have you tried getting a therapist? Have you tried getting a psychiatrist to prescribe you meds as an out patient?
Maybe you should start there and then see if going into the hospital is best.

If you need help finding a therapist, PM me and I'd be happy to help you.

[MickG]

Originally Posted by MissE1088

mickg, ive gone my whole life with trying to help myself and get myself out of my mind, and i have never had any type of help from anyone. would it be so bad if i was medicated? i mean ive never been on any meds so if i went in the hospital i would be ok with doing what ever they think is necessary.

Some people have good results with meds. I didn't but some do. They may be worth a try. I'm just saying you may want to have a good support team in place outside of the hospital before going in.

I wish you the very best.

[MissE1088]

Originally Posted by Berries

MissE--have you tried getting a therapist? Have you tried getting a psychiatrist to prescribe you meds as an out patient?
Maybe you should start there and then see if going into the hospital is best.

I am pretty sure there are no free therapists or free prescriptions these days. I have zero money. I do not even have enough money for food most days. I work a minimum wage job two days a week because being around people is too stressful for me, plus I have no car because I have NO money!! my life is very sad and pathetic, and with all my emotional problems I just don't see any hope for getting better. I need a way out of this cycle, because I am very bright and very ambitious when I want to be, I just need a way to get free help.

[MickG]

Originally Posted by MissE1088

I am pretty sure there are no free therapists or free prescriptions these days. I have zero money. I do not even have enough money for food most days. I work a minimum wage job two days a week because being around people is too stressful for me, plus I have no car because I have NO money!! my life is very sad and pathetic, and with all my emotional problems I just don't see any hope for getting better. I need a way out of this cycle, because I am very bright and very ambitious when I want to be, I just need a way to get free help.

Yes there are. If you are in the states then yes there are free therapists and meds. I was hospitalized when my family had no access to my finances and I had no income because I was obviously ill. There are agencies that work on a sliding scale and if you are under a certain income it is free. This is why it is imperative that you have a support team able to stress you have no resources and are in need of help.

Take care of yourself first.

[MissE1088]

thanks for your help. i will have to look into that... i am from ohio so i will find out.

[JourneyUpward]

Hi MissE1088,

I'm sorry for the emotional pain you are suffering with right now. I truly hope you find the help you need.

MickG is right. There are therapists who will work on the sliding scale and as he said, they will work with you for free if you qualify. Sounds like you would. I happen to know of one here and spoke with her about other things but she does exactly what we're talking about. I know there must be someone in Ohio, I just pray that their close enough to you.

The therapist would be able to refer you to a good Pdoc, if necessary, who the therapist knows would also work with you according to you financial status in the same way. If need be, your therapist may recommend you that go to some facility for mental health help and would tell you the name and where and what to do. Some facilities also have an outpatient "day treatment" program for those who didn't need to stay for nights on end. There is a program, therapist and the Pdoc would come to see patients on a regular basis by appt.. They can't turn you away based on your ability to pay or not pay. My hospital couldn't do that either.

Also, there are many drug companies who will provide meds for free for those who can't pay. I see their adds on sites I go to all the time, so if you are given a prescription, find out what company makes that med and find out how to get into their free med program--Make sure it works for your best interest. Check with your therapist and/or you local pharmacy before jumping right in.

I hope this info helps. Don't give up. I'm so proud of you for reaching deep to make the effort to fight for your wellness.
Keep us posted, if you can.
I wish you all the best and wellness too.
JourneyUpward

[jameskramer]

i have gone to a state facility a few times and my experience was good. i was hospitalized because i was a danger to myself and others. they first took me to the er for an eval and standard test. like hiv, tb, hepetitus. ect. they kept me there until i was stable and able to function without wanting to hurt myself or anyone else. then before being released they set me up with all of my doc appointments with my doctors. and gave meds to last till i saw my doctor. in my case,it saved my life and if i need to, i would again go to a state hospital. dtate facilities in my opinion have some of the best doctors.