[Eggmelia68]

I got out of a psychiatric critical care unit Wednesday after staying 9 days. Now my insurance is suggesting outpatient care. Maybe 5 days a week. Does anyone know about this? The only thing I really know is that I get to sleep in my own bed.

[pegasus]

Hello Eggmelia68,

Well, more freedom obviously! I'm hoping others will chip in with their experiences but here is a link explaining more about the differences >>>>> Differences Between Outpatient and Inpatient Treatment Programs | Psych Central

[SnakeCharmer]

We have outpatient daycare in my community. It provides individual therapy, group therapy, referrals, a safe place to just hang out with other people, TV, movies, games, crisis intervention and some organized group activities and trips. The atmosphere is calm and on the fun side, in a non-coercive way. It's a pretty good deal from what I hear.

[googley]

It sounds like they are suggesting partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient.

[shezbut]

When I was a teenager, I went from inpatient hospital care to a live-in facility (just a tiny bit more freedom & getting back into schoolwork) for several months, then I was allowed to go home and simply go there Monday - Friday from 8-4. I was still considered to be a patient, but I was out-patient. I had a lot more freedom, but I still had the comfort of being with teens like me (with problems) and I could focus harder on my schoolwork, to catch up.

As an adult, 20+ years later, I've wanted to return to a facility like this to help me work through my problems, but also have more freedom than if I were in a facility full-time. Trying to keep to appointments and socializing when I'm down low is a real challenge! The out-patient facility offers the best of both worlds when we're a little weak & we need that extra support and more rigid schedule. It really does help!

I would encourage you to seriously consider their recommendation. It often really helps! Best wishes to you.

[Fresia]

I am so glad to hear that you are home now.

I opted at one point for an outpatient program instead of inpatient for a change, because though inpatient helped get meds stable, I would always have trouble adjusting once I got home.

The outpatient program ("daycare") was a structured program in it that went for certain times during the day and had a routine throughout the day. It included group and individual therapy, classes in various really helpful skills to learn coping mechanisms and strategies, relaxation and balanced with some fun things that could do throughout the day as well, while providing support. They had a different take on things that I found it to be really helpful that they look at things in a practical light in how to apply things to daily living to survive, manage, and take care of oneself. Also in that I could go back to my own home for a good nights sleep, have time to myself, get things done at the house, do what I wanted, visit with friends, etc., but yet have the support and encouragement to get better while transitioning in real life, made it all the better in opting for this program; I would not hesitate to do it again if needed.

It actually helped me more than inpatient therapy program because it helped me to find balance at home and in the rest of my life, where inpatient support ends when you leave their doors. The outpatient program was a lifesaver for me. I hope if you choose to go this route, you will find it as helpful as I did.

It can be hard to get insurance to cover it. So if the insurance is suggesting it and will cover it, that is fantastic and a gift that might want to consider that fact too. I know a lot of people who wish they could go to a program but are denied. At least you will not have to worry about this if you do decide to go.

Wishing you well as you move forward. Take good care of you meanwhile. Will be sending good vibes your way. ((((((Eggmelia68)))))

[Eggmelia68]

Thanks everyone your answers really helped me understand it better.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Eggmelia68

I got out of a psychiatric critical care unit Wednesday after staying 9 days. Now my insurance is suggesting outpatient care. Maybe 5 days a week. Does anyone know about this? The only thing I really know is that I get to sleep in my own bed.

here in NY outpatient care means you contact a mental health agency, get a therapist and psychiatrist, schedule an appointment, then they schedule you for daily, weekly, bimonthy or monthy appointments, depending on what your problems are. they can also do a referral to any area programs that fit your needs...example here in the city we do referrals to an an agency where people with special needs (people who have mental, physical health problems or learning disorders) that need help in learning how to live on their own (cooking, cleaning, handling their finances, learning how to get a job, hold a job, handling their mental disorder meds, mental disorder triggers, anger management, what ever that persons needs are) on a day to day basis. kind of like getting up in the morning and going to school and then coming home. they get up in the morning do their morning routine, sign in at the center for an hour or the whole day what ever their needs are, then sign out and go about the rest of their day like normal people do.

but the first step to entering such a program here in NY is by contacting your treatment providers for a referral, especially if you are on insurance plans. which brings me to another consideration... you will also need to look in your insurance plans information papers/pamplet to find out which treatment providers your insurance plan covers in order to know who to go see for a therapist and psychiatrist.

[Restin]

The way it worked for me is I slept at home, went to hospital early am and signed in. Spent the morning at hospital, had group therapy, etc. Then at noon went to college as occupational therapy, then back to the hospital for rest of the afternoon. Then signed out and went home for the night. That went on about 8 months. It was a lifesaver. I felt safe and supported and had a big remission in my anxiety/suicidal symptoms. My husband's insurance paid for hospital, but the college work was from a government student loan. Hospital didn't pay for college, just the daycare.