[Coolbreeze74]

My son was just in the hospital. He has schizoaffective and hadn't bathed in 2 months. He was washing his hands constantly. He has really bad OCD.

He was in the hospital for 10 days. It's a new hospital here. The good hospital takes like a week to get in. So you're just sitting in the hospital waiting and that won't be good for his mental health. At this hospital They didn't change his meds. They just put it in injection form. Hes not better. But going back in the hospital really isnt an option. The hospital was horrible. They didn't have the right meds. It took them about 3 days to figure that out. He only saw the psychiatrist there twice. He said she gave him like 2 minutes. Hes back to washing his hands constantly. Hes paranoid.

I'm having 3-6 hour long panic attacks. They are terrifying, torturous, miserable. It's taken over my whole life. I cant do much. My world has become really small. I'm on all the meds you can use for anxiety except benzodiazepines. I'm not sleeping.

My back is killing me. I had surgery on it like 10 yrs ago. I cant stand long. Even cooking scrambled eggs makes it hurt. I guess I could try stretches. But I'm so tired.

I'm just plain scared, exhausted, worried.

[Coolbreeze74]

I'm not thinking clearly too. Its awful...

[Bipolarchic14]

The first thing I want to say is I’m really sorry you and your son are going through so much right now. I can tell you what my therapist would say about the anxiety is to try not looking to far into the future but rather focus on what can be done today. Uses your senses to help ground you. I also use a coloring app to slow my brain and my thinking down. I would call the good hospital if you have not done so already and ask them what their procedure is. It may actually be different with the coronavirus going on. In other words they may not allow you to wait in an emergency room for a week like they would during normal times which could work to your advantage. In regards to your back issue, I would recommend you contact your doctor. They may be able to prescribe physical therapy for you. I know I have to do that sometimes. now I have certain pool exercises that I do. Even though right now I’m afraid to go to the pool but you get my point.

[bpcyclist]

I applaud you for reaching out. Proud of you. I know people here support you. I know. Hang in there. Life can be difficult. Do not give up.

I have back trouble alot cuz I put many miles on my bike. I do yoga with Adrienne on youtube. It helps many people. Sometimes I can only do 5 minutes and it really helps. You shld try it. TENS units msy be covered by Medicaid or the county. They can be a miracle. Some prescriptions may also be very useful. If you want, I can list ten for you and you can read.

The panic attacks have actually been addressed. I am happy to share my views again. I do believe that you become overwhelmed emotionally and become somewhat paralyzed and yes, judgment-impaired, as you correctly identify. Awesome work seeing that!!! That is progress!! Yay for you!!

I also think the above advice is excellent about your son. Please calmly call the other hospital. Breathe. Write down what the process is to get your boy in the good hospital. Ask questions. Ask for help here. People will try to help you. Have faith. Try as you have been.

I use DBT every single day. It helps many of us, even though Marsha designed it for bpd. It helps we who become overwhelmed emotionally, which includes you and me. Please do not leave. Work with us and with yourself. Please.

Hugs!!

[Fuzzybear]

I'm so sorry you're going through so much. I also applaud you for posting and reaching out (sometimes it's not easy especially if we have received less than helpful responses from professionals at times, as I think that both of us have). Two minutes from a psychiatrist? For someone in severe distress, with severe OCD and paranoid? Outrageous. I don't know what to suggest. I hope you can find a better psychiatrist. Is it possible to make a complaint? I don't know, I've never gone that route (although someone irl who I used to know has done.. and did receive ''better'' treatment although still not great) She was labelled as ''attention seeking and very manipulative'' by the shrink who gave her the ''better'' treatment. I think he was doing ''damage limitation''.. she was VERY vocal about the ... difficulties.. with the treatment she had received. She took things to an ombudsman (sp)... on the other hand I tend to crawl under a rock irl and Avoid when people have repeatedly been cruel, invalidating and profoundly unhelpful.

I don't think I've experienced panic attacks as you've described going on for many hours, they sound horrible. I have experienced very severe anxiety for hours, days, months.... but not the panic attacks you describe.

I think that DBT is a great suggestion. It's not only for people with BPD (borderline) but can and does help everyone

[*Beth*]

Is your son paranoid about germs (hand washing) or is his paranoia about something else? I think calling the better hospital is a good idea. Will they allow you to speak on his behalf? (I understand why there are laws that don't allow family to commit another family member, but I think that sometimes those laws need to be more flexible.)

I agree with Fuzzy with regard to DBT.

[Coolbreeze74]

Thanks everyone for your support! I really appreciate it.

When I took him to the hospital its the good hospital. I guess they are only at half capacity bc of covid and they only take so many ppl on Medicaid. They told us it can take up to 2 weeks for him to be admitted in the good hospital. So I already know how long it will be.

I'm practicing radical acceptance. That's a dbt skill. I could see about other skills.

Thanks again for the support.

[Mountaindewed]

I know what you mean about good hospitals having long waiting lists. Where I am there’s only one good hospital out of maybe 15 and the waiting list is so long just in general. You can never get in on an emergency. All the other hospitals have zero waiting lists but are horrible. Bad hospitals suck.

[Coolbreeze74]

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

I know what you mean about good hospitals having long waiting lists. Where I am there’s only one good hospital out of maybe 15 and the waiting list is so long just in general. You can never get in on an emergency. All the other hospitals have zero waiting lists but are horrible. Bad hospitals suck.

Yeah it was a horrible hospital. Thanks for understanding....

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by Coolbreeze74

Yeah it was a horrible hospital. Thanks for understanding....

I'm sorry. Horrible hospitals indeed do suck. I too have had personal experience of this (more than once ) (both as a cub, several times, and later on... fortunately I was not IP later on ) (I now try to stay as far away from them as I can. As a cub I could not )

[fern46]

I'm really sorry you're going through this. I was hopeful the hospital stay would help your son and I am sorry he wasn't given the level of care he deserves. You've been in this rough patch for a while and I admire how you keep pressing on and looking for ways to help yourself. Sending supportive thoughts your way.

[Coolbreeze74]

Originally Posted by fern46

I'm really sorry you're going through this. I was hopeful the hospital stay would help your son and I am sorry he wasn't given the level of care he deserves. You've been in this rough patch for a while and I admire how you keep pressing on and looking for ways to help yourself. Sending supportive thoughts your way.

Thanks so much fern

[Coolbreeze74]

Well I only got about 4 hours of sleep. My son keeps bothering me. I'm exhausted....

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Coolbreeze74

Thanks everyone for your support! I really appreciate it.

When I took him to the hospital its the good hospital. I guess they are only at half capacity bc of covid and they only take so many ppl on Medicaid. They told us it can take up to 2 weeks for him to be admitted in the good hospital. So I already know how long it will be.

I'm practicing radical acceptance. That's a dbt skill. I could see about other skills.

Thanks again for the support.

IYay!!

I use distraction most often. Movie, prayer, bike, run, yoga, get on PC for love, clean, take care of Albert, etc. Take anxiety and freakout and force brain onto distractin neural pathways. Works 90 ish percent of tje time.

When total unstoppable freakout occurs Nd am out of control, I text everyone, pray, cry, and hold on to my bible for dear life until Albert kisses me and I begin to calm down.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Coolbreeze74

Well I only got about 4 hours of sleep. My son keeps bothering me. I'm exhausted....

Like me and Albert. Many bipolar folks can only sleep in naps. Sleep when you can. What I must do cuz of the stinkpot!!!