[Sliders]

What was your experience like? How long did you stay?

[raspberrytorte]

Each time was alright. They averaged between four and ten days.

[~Christina]

Last IP was 14 - 15 days and it kept me safe .

I don't hate IP it's wonderful when I need it.

[Nammu]

The experience varied with which hospital, what insurance I had, what dr I had and what state I was in.

The length varied from 2days to a month.

[franz kafka]

My experiences have been mixed overall, largely depending on which doctor I was paired with and what floor I was on (ICU versus general adult, for example). In general I got what I went for... a safe place to ride out mania/depression/psychosis. My shortest stay was 4-5 days and my longest was a bit over two weeks. The hospital I get sent to usually doesn't keep people much longer than that.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Longest stay was 17 days and helped me greatly. Shortest stay was 4 days. It's an ok experience

[wildflowerchild25]

I used to love the hospital. Too much. I would go at the drop of a hat. I just felt so safe and cared for. I could actually be myself without having to put on a face. I'm ashamed of how many times I've been hospitalized because of it. Probably only half of them were actually necessary for my safety.

The shortest time I was IP was five days. The longest was seven weeks but that's because I was doing ect and I was extremely suicidal so they wouldn't let me out until the ect improved me significantly.

I still have dreams about the hospital and they are usually comforting dreams. But thankfully I was able to break the cycle and I have not been ip for a year and a half. I'm much better at keeping myself safe on the outside now. And now that my husband is gone it's imperative that I stay out. My mom would take care of my son but it would traumatized him. So last year even though I was suicidal with a plan and very impulsive I just went to a day program instead. I'm very proud of myself for staying out.

If I HAD to go again I wouldn't be opposed but it's very important that I do all I can to stay out.

[boydisappearing]

Last month I was hospitalized for the sixth time. Experiences vary, depending on which unit/hospital I ended up at. My first hospitalization was 3 months long, that was when I was first diagnosed. My second hospitalization was 3 months, but that was 6 weeks in acute mental health and 6 weeks in a step-down unit meant to help build independence. Third, fourth, and fifth were about 14 days, and this last one was 10 days. I hope it's a good thing that my stays are getting much shorter, but they're still not fun experiences.

Generally, it helps a lot when I first get there because except for the first time, they all at least started with depression/psychosis so having people keep an eye on me helped. Even being hospitalized while manic has helped because it minimizes the damage I do. But once I start feeling better, all I want is to get out.

[Sad Mermaid]

It varied for me. Last time (in Dec) it was for just 2.5 days, but it helped me greatly - not in terms of medications (there were no changes), but in other ways. I am really glad I went in and I hope that now I will be able to last long until the next time.

[JustJace2u]

I've only been hospitalized once for MI related issues, however, I've been hospitalized for other health issues throughout my lifetime. My experience in the psych hospital was actually better than I had expected, even despite some miscommunication with the nursing staff. I was there for 5 days.

First time I was called selfish for my attempt by some idiotic women child, next time I was nearly sexually assaulted and last time I was being stalked by a raving manic man who was obsessed with harming me. Some people get the ritz Carlton, I get a places not even suitable for homicidal animals. All has to do with luck I guess.

[MusicLover82]

3 days for mania (induced by steroids). It was a good and comforting experience overall. Even the food was comforting!

[Ocean Swimmer]

I also do everything to stay out of the hospital.
I guess my ips average 30 days.

[Guess7131]

Last time was just over a year ago. I was there for six weeks. Some parts were fine others not so much. Met some very nice people. Couple of cool staff members, but they never really helped me, could have been out sooner but they never medicated me. Tho if i asked for an AP they gave me it. Kinda weird tbh.

[Faltering]

I went to the nicest facility around so it wasn't bad. I met great people and attended most of the groups. I stayed for 5 days.

Shortest stay was 4 days, longest was about a month. I've been in several different hospitals, some were better than others. The state hospital for my involuntary stay was the worst, it had no groups and we pretty much just sat around talking to each other. There's one private unit that's kinda my favorite, because the staff is nice, the groups are helpful, and we could go outside.

[zijax]

Two weeks ago I went to hospital dor suicide attempt and alcohol and was given no meds for first three days. I went in on a Saturday. They said they couldn't verify my meds because my pharmacy wasn't open. I started withdrawing from my psyche meds at the same time detoxing from alcohol but was given nothing. Finally on 4th day they got my meds but released me. I wasn't well and I knew it. I ended up getting released from the hospital and getting drunk that day and staying drunk for a week before sobering up on my own. I've had other times at that same hospital that were better and I've been to other hospitals-they've all been about the same. I would not go in again over a weekend though.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by Sliders

What was your experience like? How long did you stay?

I've been 4 times I thing ranging between 2 and 10 days. They were all similar: groups all day, talk to the psychiatrist, get meds several times a day. Art time, exercise time, gym time, can't stay in your room and read, fed three times a day....

usually my experience is good.

I know the nurses- most of them
of course, last time, I knocked 1 of the nurses out (but I don't talk about that)

I've also been in over christmas and that was okay

I also had my fair share of funny hospital stories (their used to be a rather good thread on the funny stories)

[Unrigged64072835]

I don't recall how many times (it's been a lot). Usually between 5 and 21 days, depending upon which hospital I go to. There's only one hospital I like going to; the rest have various issues.

[MistressStayc]

I have only been IP once for 4 days and it was the best 4 days ever. I finally got diagnosed with BP and finally knew what I was dealing with. Also, thats where I found my wonderful pdoc whom I adore.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

Originally Posted by Sliders

What was your experience like? How long did you stay?

Every time I go in, it's for 5 days. My experience is based on where I go. There's one place I like that focuses on substance abuse and MI while other places let me sleep the whole time. I see a lot of people on here are able to have their phones but I was never allowed.

[bioChE]

I've been in multiple places, for various lengths of time depending on the severity. My experience has been varied. I hope to never go again.

[BipolaRNurse]

My first (and hopefully only) hospitalization lasted 7 days and was probably the best thing I ever did for myself as far as bipolar goes. I was terribly unsafe at home and needed to go IP for my own good. It was a good experience overall...I hated not being allowed to have my phone and iPod, but there was a tablet at the nurse's station that we could use for 10 minutes at a time after activities and groups were over for the day, so we weren't completely without technology. Groups and daily meetings with my pdoc and therapist were helpful, and I wound up liking several of the other patients with whom I'm still friends on Facebook. Even the food was plentiful and good. I'm glad I went.