Has anyone been this close to the edge? I am looking up ways. I am so tired of living. What happens in the psych ward anyway? Why would I want to voluntarily put my life in more stress and living hell than what it already is? I literally have NOTHING to live for. I am completely useless and wish I was never born.

Sometimes being IP can be a good thing, because other people take care of you and you don't need to do so much stuff (like think what to eat or deal with mail or whatever). I would give your support team a call, or a helpline.

[dexter]

Hello SongSungBlue... Different hospitals have different sorts of programs, but one would hope that going inpatient they would first, evaluate your symptoms and come up with a treatment plan, second, determine if and what medications might help you. As an inpatient they can monitor you closely for side effects while starting or stopping a medication or changing dosages, and three, maybe most important, fill your day with structure which can be very helpful for depression, and that structure would include some private and a lot of group therapy that includes education about mental illness and classes on coping skills giving you a chance to both learn and put them into practice.

As Little Cat said sometimes for some people it is a relief to go in, leave the life stressors outside, and just focus on your own health for a period of time.

[Deeplyhurt77]

The psych ward is not that bad. It's like a supper boring vacation. You can rest as much as you want, be social or not, you will have group therapy (can be helpful), similar people are there with you. You are only alone if you make it that way. You will visit a psychiatrist which will examine your feelings of despair then get the meds you might need. They will monitor you coping skills with meds, self care, socializing, and boundaries. It's a good break from stress.

[PenguinExMachina]

I, too, am curious what hospitalization/IP care is like. I only know the basics of programs but some insider details would be of interest to me.

I think, if you are that close to the edge, wouldn't hurt to see if that option couldn't help. I know that I've considered it when I've reached the edge a time or two. I've never actually taken that step because I was too concerned with how it would look, but I wonder if that wasn't a mistake. Sometimes self-care is more important.

[Hopeofreedom]

Even though I've definitely had times when I was barely hanging on. I would still feel like I wasn't sick enough to admit myself.

I feel like if I have enough clarity to admit myself, why bother?

[Yoda]

I have been in three different hospital IP programs and they vary in freedom you are allowed and how useful their group and private therapy sessions are.

The big constant is that they provide a safe environment making it harder for you to harm yourself and they can monitor your response to psych meds more quickly than outpt.

[Unrigged64072835]

The biggest thing with IP is determination as to whether you need to be on any medication, and application of that medication until you are stabilized. There are also groups that will teach coping skills, help with self-esteem, etc. That being said, there is a lot of down time in IP so it would also help to have someone bring books to read so you're not bored. Places I have been to have a TV but you have to debate with the other patients on what to watch. I've been to psych wards several times and that is usually how it goes. If you are making plans to harm yourself you definitely need to go.