Is In-patient right for me!

I've had many different counsellors and therapists and psychologist through the years but they have either not helped me at all or had to stop seeing me.

I've never been keen to speak to anyone and this is probably a reason why it hasn't worked out quite so well.

My dad has always been the one to get me help and I've done it mainly for him because all he wants to do is help.

I don't know if I am yet ready for help but maybe if it was more than a 50 minute session once a week, it might actually make me feel better about it.

So I'm not sure how in-patient actually works but getting me out of my house and having help constantly might help.

Basically.. Have you ever experienced In-patient help for depression?
Did it help?
And......... Would you recommend it and for what reasons?

I've been in and out of talk therapy for a few years now. Depression, self harm, trauma in the past and possible bipolar and eating disorder are the main reasons why I am thinking of this kind of help. I'm also 21 almost 22 if that helps. Oh and in the UK.

Thanks guys

Hmmmm..... I can only speak from my experience. I have bipolar and the only times I went to the hospital were during manic/psychotic periods and one suicide attempt.

I dont know how deep you are into depression, but I certainly wish I had checked for myself into treatment for depression and suicide ideation.

Here in the US each hospitals have different psyche wards were you can spend any where from a few days to a year.

So, I cant answer your question, but if you are on the edge of a crisis it may be a good idea.

Everyone's experience as an IP is different. I can of course feel your worries about being admitted, but, if you are feeling suicidal that is the place you need to be. Its great that your dad is so supportive, talk to him about it, and maybe together you can come up with a plan. The first being is to stay safe.

Hello Joojams,

I'm really truly sorry you're finding life so tough! I'm from the uk too.

Do you have a psychiatrist? I expect so, but that's the way to get more help.
In the uk, you only get admitted to hospital if you're a danger to yourself or others, that is unless you have the resources to go private. You still need a Pdoc though I think.
The current thinking is that inpatient treatment while saving lives can also be counterproductive in certain people and a friend of mine who has been in and out of hospital over the decades now gets intensive treatment at home most of the time.
Is there a crisis facility in your area? Where I live Mind run a respite house where people can stay for a week or two to get away from pressures at home. A lot of peopl find it very helpful, though it's not staffed full time, and I have used it with benefit.
The other alternative may be a therapeutic community setting, but that is usually long term, months or a year, and is only appropriate for people with certain types of problems.

My husband was in hospital with mania a number of years ago and he found it quite traumatic. He wasn't allowed out, and other patients were very unwell indeed. He was so desperate not to go back that he even took his medication, even though at the time he didn't believe in it and wanted to stop, so he wouldn't have to go back in.

I hope this information is helpful in some way. I would urge you to hang on in there, when I was your age, I was very depressed with all that goes with it. I did find a treatment that helped a lot for 20 years. So there is hope.
Be kind to yourself as much as you can, YOU DESERVE IT.

I send you all the warm hugs and thoughts I can and sincerely hope you find some hope very soon.

Starting with a disclaimer--I'm in the U.S. and it may be slightly different in the UK.

As others have said, if you are an immediate danger to yourself or others inpatient can be very helpful and necessary. I've been inpatient twice, and while it's not a great or happy experience it can be life-saving and life-changing.

If you are not a danger to yourself or others, hospitals in the U.S. at least won't take you even if you want to be admitted. In this case you probably don't want to be admitted anyway. Psych hospitals are not fun places and I think they could make you feel worse if you are not in a certain state of mind.

Fizzyo mentioned the possibility of a crisis house--I think that is a great idea.

In the U.S. we have things called Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient. These programs are often held at psych hospitals but you go home at night. They are a great option when you are struggling but are not needing to be admitted inpatient. I have done two of these and they can be very helpful. I wonder if they have something similar in the UK.

You mentioned an eating disorder. In the U.S. there are some (not a lot) of hospitals specifically for people struggling with eating disorders. My sister went to one many years ago. I wonder if they have these in the UK and if that would be helpful.

Hope you start to feel better soon. Let us know how it goes.

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