[Btp1136]

So my pdoc has suggested residential treatment for me. I have no idea what to think. Does anyone have any experience with going to residential?

[Anneinside]

I have known people who went into residential treatment. It is pretty intensive treatment with 24/7 care, daily therapy. You probably have chores and of course there are rules.

[Btp1136]

Yeah. It's an overwhelming thought. So is cost. I don't have the money (who does for that degree of care?).

[cocoabeans]

Mosty, people who are not suffering from mental illness. Ironic isn't it? Then there is going on disability, having your meds paid for, getting stable then getting a job that pays just enough to lose your gov paid medication benefits and not enough so you can pay for your meds so, you wind up on disability again.

Never did any kind of treatment like that but, good luck with what you decide on!

[Btp1136]

That cycle is exactly what I thought!

[Btp1136]

Also, I think she is considering a group home. I'd be open, possibly, for a bit. I don't have a family or friends so social interaction wouldn't be bad.

[hamster-bamster]

I have been to for 6 weeks. My insurance paid a hefty amount. It was not worth it for me, but I have seen people getting stable in such setting. One example - a gal age 20 or something, sick enough to be approved for SSDI, on some sort of medication that made her sleep most of the time. The group setting forced her to interact and do some chores besides sleeping. Another extreme example - a person with suicidal depression, a really sweet guy, a former chef, with a pretty wife and an equally pretty daughter - and unable to sustain himself anywhere but in this setting, getting in huge debt to be in this setting, and even from this greenhouse setting having to check into ER for suicidality (despite therapy and drugs and organized living). He was so sweet, he cooked for everyone and he had this bottomless sadness in his eyes.

But as you see, I am describing extreme cases.

[Anneinside]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

I have been to for 6 weeks. My insurance paid a hefty amount. It was not worth it for me, but I have seen people getting stable in such setting. One example - a gal age 20 or something, sick enough to be approved for SSDI, on some sort of medication that made her sleep most of the time. The group setting forced her to interact and do some chores besides sleeping. Another extreme example - a person with suicidal depression, a really sweet guy, a former chef, with a pretty wife and an equally pretty daughter - and unable to sustain himself anywhere but in this setting, getting in huge debt to be in this setting, and even from this greenhouse setting having to check into ER for suicidality (despite therapy and drugs and organized living). He was so sweet, he cooked for everyone and he had this bottomless sadness in his eyes.

But as you see, I am describing extreme cases.

I have never been in residential treatment. What was a typical day like?

[Btp1136]

Yeah the cost is outrageous. Almost criminal.

[hamster-bamster]

Morning - breakfast everyone make your own. Morning chores such as vacuuming. Meeting (some people oversleep and are late for it) with goals for the day. Some alone time and then loading into a van to go to a day treatment program. There - groups, lunch, and more groups. Enough groups to be able to choose something. I went to Jungian groups, of all things. There was art therapy. But there is also more traditional anger management, check-in and what not. Back to the home. Once a week everyone goes grocery shopping (a list of items for the house and a small individual allowance). Cooking chores (what I enjoyed the most - I love cooking for the crowd) and dinner together, including staff. In the middle of all of this individual therapy sessions and p-doc visits at the house. A young and unpleasant p-doc, in my case, and a great and able intern therapist. Weekends free and you can go places as long as you return by 11PM. For people who are more in danger, though, the rules are different - they are either to stay in the house or allowed to leave house with another resident who has full privileges.

[Btp1136]

I'm going to see my pdoc. We might discuss residential due to bipolar and other personality issues. How did my life get this? I guess I shouldn't sulk in self pity, but this rough.

[Victoria'smom]

Maybe it'll be a temporary thing. A couple of months or a year is nothing if it truly helps you. Best of luck.

[leve]

I am also looking into residential treatment. I am a college student and the summer is a good time to seek help before school starts again in the fall. How do you find centers/facilities?