[kirby777]

Hi-

I went to the pdoc today and luckily our seesions are an hour . I was asked what my daily activites are, and basically, the only things I do daily are drink coffee in the morning brush my teeth & watch TV. I do not work. I have not had my hair cut in 9 months, because I am self isolating and it is just too much for me to handle.

Pdoc states the self islotaion is hurting me and there is only so much meds are able to do so Partial hospitalization was suggested. I am afraid of this. This is causing me much anxiety. I know I need to leave my room, & have some human interaction. I basically have zero support system.

Has anyone done this, and if so, what were your experiences?

I am very overwhelmed. I called my insurance company and they only have 3 "in network" programs within 20 miles from my house.

Thanks.

[cloudyn808]

Aloha Kirby,

I have self isolated for 7-years. I usually only go out for dr. Appt and counseling (and hair cuts.) Spending life apart from others, away from activities, away from where life really happens, has been very destructive to me. The more isolated I was, the more anxious I have become even thinking of engaging in life.

Because I have become so suixxxal, I entered an outpatient psychiatric program 3 x a week. It has been a very good experience for me. I have learned that I CAN show up somewhere consistently, participate with others struggling to overcome mental illness and learned some new coping skills. Although I have only been in the program a few weeks, I do feel more confident that I may be able to re enter a life with the living...

Best wishes, being ANYWHERE is better than the self imposed prison I had created for myself.

[kirby777]

Cloudy-

I appreciate the kindenss you showed me by answering my post. The self isolation is getting worst. Is also causes anxiety & has worsened the depression. I want to live, I want to be able to work again. I want to earn money. The dread I feel you probably know.

I did not know I could go a few times a week. I will call my pdoc on Monday & ask. I called my ins co and asked some questions & they have to approve it OF COURSE.....What types of things do you do? I know I will not mind opening up in group T, But I am afraid...but perhaps this is the wake up call I need to live a little!

[cloudyn808]

Aloha Kirby,

Different Hospitals have different programs, I'm glad the one near my home has a 3-day a week program. Programs also have different methodologies for treatment. The one I'm in used DBT (dialectic behavior therapy) which works very well for a variety of issues. It's a way of thinking about our thoughts and behaviors, breaking down the useless garbage that rattles around and causes suffering into a more useful, productive way of dealing with life.

I have watched many people improve their life by using the methods taught in DBT as well as the other benefits of attending a structured program like outpatient psychiatric care. It's also been great for me to know I am not alone and work with others in the group to tackle problems that have been difficult to get past. It's really helped me cope with long term, severe depression. I'm sure not "great" yet but I have more hope than when I arrived at the door.

Take care and keep us posted!

[secretgalaxy]

The one I am going to start is 5 days a week from 9-1. I don't know how it is going to be yet, but I'll keep you updated.

I have been in IP before and from what I have heard, PHP is basically like IP but you get to go home at night, and it is more structured.

I would not worry.

[Trixie246]

Originally Posted by kirby777

Hi-

I went to the pdoc today and luckily our seesions are an hour . I was asked what my daily activites are, and basically, the only things I do daily are drink coffee in the morning brush my teeth & watch TV. I do not work. I have not had my hair cut in 9 months, because I am self isolating and it is just too much for me to handle.

Pdoc states the self islotaion is hurting me and there is only so much meds are able to do so Partial hospitalization was suggested. I am afraid of this. This is causing me much anxiety. I know I need to leave my room, & have some human interaction. I basically have zero support system.

Has anyone done this, and if so, what were your experiences?

I am very overwhelmed. I called my insurance company and they only have 3 "in network" programs within 20 miles from my house.

Thanks.

Yes I have done the "outpatient partial hospitalization program". I think it is the same as you are talking about. It was called outpatient hospital program....something like that. I was in the hospital for just wanting to die. I decided that I would stop my meds huge mistake!! So I layed in bed for a month. I know I was going through withdrawal but didn't really put 2 and 2 together cause I was so messed up. I would sleep and only get out of he bed to go potty and eat a cheese sandwich for the whole day. I would drink tons of water because for some strange reason I didn't want to get dehydrated but yet I was going to lay there and die. Makes no sense! Anyway I got weaker and weaker as the days went on. About 2 weeks into this decided I was only going to eat one piece of bread a day.I had no appetite and didn't care anyway. Well I lost 25 lbs in that month I was so skinny I looked dead. My daughter took me to the hospital and I as dehydrated because I was washing out what little I had as far as vitamins and all. My potassium was 1.4 which is very low. I stayed on the regular floor for 6 days. Then something happened to my heart and they put me on the cardiac floor for 5 days. My hear wasn't beating enough. It was beating 30 beats a minute. They would have to wake me up cause if they didn't my heart would have stopped and moving around got it back up. They never did find out what wrong. (scary). Then I went upstairs to the psych ward and stayed there 2 weeks and that was where they set up for when I left that I would go to this program. I was not used to going out cause I would isolate all the time. This would get me out and meet people.I liked it, it did help me. The program was from 10:00 to 3:00. We mostly did group therapy but it was good. I still isolate but not as much cause I don't know where to go or what to do. I am alone, My daughter doesn't come by here much and I have one male friend that comes over and spends a few days with me. We have been friends for 15 years. But he is not the kind that can help you with you problems he just listens but doesn't have a opinion.It drives me crazy but at least he does listen. If your program sounds like mine then I would tell you to do it! I met a few people there and we kept in touch but after a few weeks we all stopped supporting each other. I don't know why. But yeah I wish you the best! It was scarey in the beginning but then I loved going. I went for 4 months every week. Let me know what happens.......oh man it looks like I wrote a book.....opps sorry.

[Humpty Dumpty]

Kirby much like you I tend to be self isolating as well. I have been to a partial hospitalization program and it was helpful for me. You are with a group of people who suffer with problems similar to yours. I use to think "I am the only one that suffers with this and thinks this way". It was helpful to hear that I wasn't the only one and hear how others dealt with their problems. It is conducted by a professional Councilor/Therapist who will not allow things to get out of hand. They will not allow others to talk down to you or say negative things about you. I suggest giving it a honest try.

[secretgalaxy]

Had my first day there. It was like highschool for your emotions. Literally. So if you liked high school, you'll like it in there. At least that is what it felt to me.

Good luck!