What To Expect

I think I've finally decided to go inpatient. My depression and anxiety just seem to be getting worse. I am absolutely terrified of going IP. I don't know what to expect. What experiences have you had with IP?

I've been involuntarily committed twice. Both were to the psych wards of general hospitals in my area. I was only at each one for a couple of weeks. It was kind of an odd experience. Once I settled in, it wasn't scary. The staff at both facilities were pleasant (except that there was always one SOB on the night shift. I guess maybe that's mandatory!) Most of the stuff they had us do was pointless at best. Some of it was downright silly! But whatever... I don't know that it really accomplished anything for me to be there, except that it kept me from further mischief for a couple of weeks. If, for some reason, there was a need for me to go back, I wouldn't object strenuously.

It was a safe place for me. I would usually be able to calm down shortly after being admitted. I have been hospitalized 13 times. It is an opportunity to get meds straight and talk to others who care about what is going on with you.

I have only been IP once and it was just over a year ago. It was scary for me at first. I was admitted really late at night. I had sat for hours debating on whether to go or not, but I knew I needed help. My sister had brought me and they stripped me of everything. The worst part is them taking my IPOD which is what I use everyday to listen to music. Music is my escape. I will first talk about two bad situations but then I will tell you the best part of my experience. First I was not given my night meds because I had just come in and had not been evaluated. One of those meds was my Seroquel. It totally threw me off, just what I needed at the time right. Second, it was so difficult to be around manic patients when you are in a mixed episode. You are trying to understand that they are going thru a tough time like yourself, but you just want to scream at them. Here comes the good part. I was finally for the first time in my life I was able to connect with people with the same issues as myself during group therapy. People hugged me and said that what I was saying in group was exactly what they felt. I will never forget these amazing people that I met, and especially what I learned about myself. So all in all it was one of the greatest experiences of my life.