[Speed3]

Hi I haven't been on in a long time. I have Bipolar 1 disorder.

I m feeling it might be good for me to spent a week as an inpatient. I have been extremely depressed all winter. Never leaving the house, self care is lacking, at times suicidal.

Those who might remember me, know I lost my only Child at the age of 27, to a heroin overdose on 1/3/2013.

What I never let anyone know, my husband lost his long standing job on the anniversary of Jason's death. He was out of work for over a year. He just started a new job on 3/2/2015.

Though I am so happy about that. I got so use to having him home. The house now is so silent. I have not been able to leave the house, because I can't get dress, and I have agoraphobia.

After that long winded speech. The point of this post.

We have new insurance, very good insurance.

I was wondering if anyone is from the greater Philadelphia Area, and knows anything about Christiana Medical Center, in Newark Delaware, their inpatient psychiatric unit. What it is it like ?

[wildflowerchild25]

I don't know about it, but I'm happy to see you again. Spending some time inpatient usually helps me, so I hope you find a nice place to go.

[Healing the Damage]

I don't know anything about it, but my best friend volunteers there.

[Nobodyandnothing]

Hi Speed3. Sorry no advice to give but I am so glad to hear from you. I have often thought about you. So happy to hear your husband has a new job and you have good insurance. I'll be praying for you.

Sorry I don't have any info for you (what with living on the other side of the country), but wanted to join the chorus in saying it is good to see you.

IP changed my life. if you feel you need it then go for it.

i am so sorry about what happened to your son. i can't fathom how horrific and desperately sad it must be for you.

[Victoria'smom]

I'm glad to see you back. I've thought of you a lot.

[ThunderGoddess]

Hello I've joined while you were away I know how you feel well sort of I lost 3 cousins to herion and my sister came very close I agree with 8888and8888 inpatient is a really great place I haven't been to the one you mentioned I was in Hall Mercer in Philadelphia but it's like a recoup where nice people take care of you and help you get back on your feet. When I got out the world looked different they fixed me up with medication and they really are there to help in my opinion you have nothing to loss by going. Do you have a psychotherapist or psychatrist? That is also a good place to talk about the things that are really hard to deal with <3

[Speed3]

I can go there. I have heard of it. What is it like. Are the rooms singles.
I have a psychiatrist that does therapy.
I think I should go, not because I am overly suicidal. It is just that my self care is in the dumps. I shower once a week. I stay in my Pajamas. I go from the bed to a chair. I have lost interest in everything.
Along with my normal cycling, I have been hit pretty hard with life events.
Some I haven't even mentioned yet.

I sit and think all day how to break this circle I am in.I just don't know.
In my heart of hearts, there is a person I see. She is me. She is healthy and vibrant, passionate. She has friends and is doing worthwhile things.

I am so so far from her. She fades in and out. There would be so much to do to be her. The alternative is to continue to be this lump of flesh, taking in air, taking up space but that is all.
If weren't for my husband I would not eat or have clean clothes.

[ThunderGoddess]

Yeah I feel ya I've been down that road I finally started getting dressed 2 days ago but still don't leave my house unless I have work! Even though I don't leave it still feels better to get dressed than to keep pjs on baby steps

Hall Mercer is all private rooms and I think there's around 20-28 rooms but it was less than half full when I went, I am under the impression that Hall Mercer is for voluntary admission only which is why it's so empty everyone I spoke with put themselves in there which is why I think that. They let you go out on the deck 4 times a day that's smoke break but non smokers can go out as well, they have a tv room and activities room they also let you hang in the lunch room and eat snacks and watch tv during the day, you can use the phone anytime you want between 9:30am-10pm also people can call you anytime between those hours too there are phones in every hallway. My favorite was they also let you take as many blankets as you want so you never get cold you can get dressed or stay in your pjs it's up to you. It's just a bit boring in there at times so bring a good book or art supplies they allow you to bring in that kind of stuff. They will not allow you to to leave whenever you want though, if you end up wanting to leave you would sign a paper and wait 3 days or a family member can sign you out immideatly but they will hassle you guys for a bit to try to get you to stay the longest they kept me was 7 days because it is a short term center I think a month is the max amount they could keep you but like I said you can sign yourself out or get signed out. You also can have vistors in the evening one girl I was in there with had like 10 people see her at once! They are very lax over there and do want us to be comfortable as they can allow.

[Speed3]

I called Hall Mercer today. They are part of Univ. of Penn Psychiatry, they do not accept ANY blue cross, blue shield insurance? I never heard of such a thing. Oh well I can't hi there ����������

[ThunderGoddess]

That is so ridiculous I'm sorry to hear that I've never heard of any one not taking bcbs I work at a doctors office so I am very shocked but I do remember an older gentlemen there who had to leave because they wouldn't accept his insurance over a certain amount of days and he had a good plan! Don't give up though I'm sure you can find a good place it is scary at first going into the unknown like that but it's worth it in the end.