[chloe_234]

I am not sure if this is the right spot to post this, but I have been in for depression, so hopefully it's ok.

I've been in hospital for close to 3 months now. I am most likely going home in a few days to a week. In some ways I want to leave (getting a bit sick of being treated like a child/criminal all the time), but I also really, really don't want to leave. I'm sure this is pretty normal... but I just have no idea how I will react once I have left. I have gotten so used to it. I have been in 3 different hospitals over the three months, so at least I have had a bit of change during that time. But I am scared I'm going to freak out at the lack of attention and just having to be independent again and responsible for myself.

I know it's important to have a plan- I'm trying to organise to get into some group therapy, but that probably won't be available for close to a month after I get out. My old psychologist I was seeing before I came into hospital said I can see him in the gap... but I have mixed feelings toward him now as I've felt let down by him a few times since my admission. I am going to go back to work in a few weeks... which could be really good or could cause another melt down, I really don't know.

Has anyone else had a similar experience and have ideas to cope?
Most of the people I've met in hospital either haven't been in very long, or have been in repeatedly... so obviously their coping strategies haven't worked too well.

[vital]

Originally Posted by chloe_234

I am not sure if this is the right spot to post this, but I have been in for depression, so hopefully it's ok.

I've been in hospital for close to 3 months now. I am most likely going home in a few days to a week. In some ways I want to leave (getting a bit sick of being treated like a child/criminal all the time), but I also really, really don't want to leave. I'm sure this is pretty normal... but I just have no idea how I will react once I have left. I have gotten so used to it. I have been in 3 different hospitals over the three months, so at least I have had a bit of change during that time. But I am scared I'm going to freak out at the lack of attention and just having to be independent again and responsible for myself.

I know it's important to have a plan- I'm trying to organise to get into some group therapy, but that probably won't be available for close to a month after I get out. My old psychologist I was seeing before I came into hospital said I can see him in the gap... but I have mixed feelings toward him now as I've felt let down by him a few times since my admission. I am going to go back to work in a few weeks... which could be really good or could cause another melt down, I really don't know.

Has anyone else had a similar experience and have ideas to cope?
Most of the people I've met in hospital either haven't been in very long, or have been in repeatedly... so obviously their coping strategies haven't worked too well.

Hi chloe,

How about letting us know what you plan is and how it goes when you get home? There will be plenty of suggests, probably. Maybe keeping a journal might help?

- vital

I just got out of hospital a couple of weeks ago after 6 weeks. I didn't reallyhave a plan after coming out but simply have just been taking each day as it comes. I made some friends while in hospital so I have been meeting up with them quite often which is good. Signing up for group therapy is a good idea though!

As for work I think you need to give yourself more time to adjust to being home. I used to make the mistake of going straight back to work and it never ended well. Currently I'm planning to go back in October but if I feel like I need more time then I will delay it some more.

[Purplesept2007]

Hi Chloe,
Story is old but hopefully helps. I was in a hospital for about a week in 2007. When I came out I was out of work for about 6/7 weeks doctors orders. The biggest reason I ended up in the hospital was because of work stress in a nutshell. I did have many others things that helped me end up in the hospital also.
When I started back to work my first week was half days, second week was one day on one day off, third week was half day then a full day etc. The fourth week was when I was back to a regular schedule. I would try to set up a counselor as soon as you can & support group. Welcome all the help given because it is scary when you first get out. So about being so honest but it is true. If you ever want to send a PM go ahead good luck with everything.

[francisR]

Hi Chloe

I know just how you feel. I was in hospital some years ago and didn't want to go back out into the community at all. But I had to go. I think when you spend that time in hospital you become dependent on the staff to do most things for you. And then wonder how you will manage on your own. Perhaps if you started to put a plan in place. You could start listing the type of problems you would confront. Then start with the easiest and work out a solution for it which will give you the confidence to work through the rest in order of increasing difficulty. If you have difficulty coming up with solutions to any of these problems. You can always ask the staff there for advice.

I am sorry that your old psychologist let you down. But do you know why he was not able to be there for you? There may have been a good reason. And asking him did anything happen that prevented him from seeing you might be a good way of approaching it.

However, since you are in Australia you would know about GROW which is a mental health recovery group, which has its own manual for recovery. And you get plenty of support and help from the other members. Googling GROW in Australia will bring up their website. Many people have recovered significantly using their methods. And I am in one of their groups in Ireland.
You can get good self-help literature on how to manage depression and anxiety from the public library and from Amazon. CBT is very good as is acceptance and commitment therapy, which I use. Even googling managing depression and anxiety brings up very helpful information. I really hope and pray going home and back to work will work very well for you. Take care. God bless and best wishes from your friend Francis

[passionfruit3]

Whatd you do to get in the hospital for three months ive only ever got stuck for weeks and ive had way more attempts than anyone I know

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[avlady]

as for me, i would wait to work until you are a bit better and more relaxed to work. you need time to heal completely mentally. but then again, it might be better to work so you don't get used to not working. whichever you choose i wish you luck.

[chloe_234]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I might take a little longer off before I go back to work- there's no rush... I will at least wait to see how I'm adjusting to the outside world before I give work a date I will be back.
The graduated return is a good idea too. I am only going to go back part time at first.

Re my therapist... they haven't really let me down, it's more just been my interpretation of things that have prevented me seeing him while I've been in the hospital, none of which were his fault, and a few misunderstandings via email. I still have feelings of being abandoned though and I'm not sure if that will be a hinderance to our therapeutic relationship- but I'm going to see him once I'm out and I guess I'll just see how it goes.

[francisR]

Hi Chloe

Yes. Giving yourself an appropriate length of time to adjust to being out of the hospital is a good idea. And a phased return generally work is best. And talking to your therapist about any difficulties you are experiencing in adjusting to the workplace would be helpful.
The thing is that you had good support from him before hospital and then that was withdrawn while you were in which could cause abandonment feelings. So long as you feel reasonably sure that he did not abandon you. the therapeutic relationship should go okay. Take care. I hope and pray all of this will work out well for you and your day will be really good. God bless and best wishes from your friend Francis