[Wants2Fly]

I'll be gathering info tomorrow about what options may be available to me. Will look into whether I can be declared disabled by depression -- maybe medicare would cover more of hospitalization than my insurance, which is self-pay and very expensive at this point. And since my unemployment checks run out in a few weeks, disability would help that way, too.

And I'll be looking into out-patient options.

I'm most interested to learn how hospitalization can help people. My last 2 therapists have both said I have a kind of trauma syndrome from having so much loss heaped on me last year -- but there was no appropriate facility in Florida. This hospital outside of New Orleans is one of a only a few that has a unit specific to trauma symptoms.

I wish I could carry on with my life. My mother and her sisters -- they just put their shoulders to the wheel, nose to the grindstone. None of this self-pity, emotional paralysis stuff for them. I can understand why they have no respect for how I am. On the other hand, I admire how they are.

So again, I'd just like to emphasize I'd like to learn what hospitalization was like -- the routines, how it helped or didn't help.

[Genevieve]

It all depends on the hospital. Every hospital is different, ranging from what are basically holding tanks all the way through to great treatment involving therapy and groups and classes. There's no way to know whether a specific hospital will help a specific patient until afterwards. Awfully helpful, ain't it?

The fact that you've gotten good referrals to this place, though, indicates that it's likely to be more focussed on your issues, and that it's likely to be one of the good ones.

Good luck to you.

[Taonuviel]

Have you looked at their website? It appears to have really good information, and to be a very good program based on what I read and saw. http://www.riveroakshospital.com/
I'd recommend it if you haven't, I read about both the places I've been online before going, and I felt safer going in knowing something about them.

What's helped me are being in a safe place, being around and able to talk with people who "get it," like on here but in person but still not someone in everyday life, and med stabilization.

Routines vary, generally it's breakfast at 8, goal setting group and other groups before lunch, more groups after lunch, dinner, a wrap-up group, and it might have activities set in there. I've seen times for arts/crafts, gym activities, going outside(fenced in), group games(bingo). There's smoke breaks usually if you smoke. There's community rooms, which have had TVs, magazines, books, coloring supplies, puzzles, games. There's also set times for meds, and safety checks 15-30 minutes apart. They've had privacy for restroom use. Meal quality varies, but they'll probably have snack food available - fruit, cereal, crackers, milk and juice.

But from what I saw on their site, it looks better/more free, at least for the trauma unit I suspect. It really does look very good.

[dexter]

Tau covered it very well I think...

I just want to add that the groups scheduled throughout the day are usually things like group therapy, groups where you learn coping skills for dealing with bouts of depression, groups where you might discuss medicines so you can ask questions about them, groups where you learn about the illness itself so as to know what to expect...

As I said in another post, part of what the hospital is all about is keeping an eye on you and starting you on a new medication.

A partial hospital or IOP program would have the same kinds of groups and things, and may be just as effective if you are not a danger, don't need to be watched, are compliant taking your meds every day on time yourself, etc. All of those "uncertainty" factors are where it is most important to be actually in the hospital. If you feel so hopeless that you won't take your meds everyday, they will want you in so that they can administer the meds.

Good luck Wants2Fly

[Wants2Fly]

I am in the process of making an apointment to go to River Oaks and talk with someone and get a tour. I take my meds every day. I'm kinda wondering if upping the Effexor has contributed to lethargy, crying, hopelessness -- or if I was already sliding down so that the dose -- which was only upped 5 days ago -- hasn't had time to take effect. Also have a phone call into that physician.

To make my sense of being overwhelmed whole and complete, the apartment has developed a problem with mice. So far, 2 dead in traps, and another live one seen running about last night. They are so tiny and rather cute -- except when they are running about -- eeek.

[Wants2Fly]

How did you know it is RiverOaks? Thanks for the link.

[(JD)]

Unfortunately, hospitalization is never really looked forward to: it is a necessary evil. hehehehe It will keep you safe, give you a different environment while you learn other coping methods and/or make better plans for when you are released.

These facilities have strong rules. Just want you to be ready for that: often you are required to be in each seminar, class, etc, and they usually lock you out of your room for the day. If they don't lump you all together, like you said you are going for trauma help... not to be lumped with ED or plain psychotic patients, that would be a good thing. If you have to share spaces with others that are not dealing with trauma, remember that the rules will change because others might need more stringent rules... staff usually does what is easiest to manage the group.

They ask personal questions... every morning usually, things like if you went to the toilet and how often; you usually wait in line to tell them this, you usually wait in line for meds... like everyone else... and you can begin to feel less like a human being... because you don't just go when it's convenient for you, but when their schedule says, so you wait in line. They control your life: when you wake, when you eat, when you speak, when you sleep, when you take your meds, when you ask questions, when you get answers. They lock up your phone, computer, and nearly always- your sharp things. You have to wait in line or beg and wait until a staffer is available or is allowed to give you access to your stuff. Then they often watch you as you use the item... they don't wish you to be in danger or triggered within their setting, unless they are causing/controlling it.

If you don't cooperate, they isolate you or ask you to leave. If you get a migraine, well, it's no excuse not to participate (for see, patients do get headaches from confronting trauma etc..)

You are required to participate: they often work around a circle making you share, respond, sometimes "role play" situations they have selected specifically for you. It isn't easy and it isn't at all fun. How hard they push you depends upon their program and staff. It has nothing to do with what you think is good for you... or too much for you.

This is in general, not necessarily the place in NO. (But when reviewing any possible good facility for myself, it wasn't on the list either.)

I'm sorry this is negative, but you wanted to know... another viewpoint. Personally I think these facilities are best for two major groups: those who have just been traumatized, to whip them together with tools for coping effeciently, and for those who have tried everything else and this is the last resort.
But that's just my opinion.

[Taonuviel]

Sure,
This hospital outside of New Orleans is one of a only a few that has a unit specific to trauma symptoms.

I searched Google for "new orleans trauma hospital" figuring it'd probably pop up a website if one was available. Thought I'd see if there was anything helpful I could find online - their site seems to cover it like the site for the hospital I prefer here, they seem similar.

Good luck