Intensive Outpatient Program

My p-doc and my therapist have suggested that I go into IOP. The program would be 4 days/week for 5 hours each day for 2 weeks. Does anyone here have experience with IOP?

I did the IOP at the hospital I was in for several months afterwards several times & it was very helpful those times.

The last time was the year anniversary after a trauma I went through & it didn't work out as well.....because I was SOOOO messed up & it was a 1 hour drive to the hospital.......& on the way home & had 2 accidents because I had sort of dissociated while driving & rear ended 2 cars within 30 minutes of each other. That time I was still so messed up by what I had gone through that I couldn't even handle the program.....however I think it was a good program & the different groups were helpful & there was one very sweet older man who was a WWII veteran with dementia.....he would take us back to his fighter pilot days in the war......strange but that is the one thing that stands out in my mind from that IOP experience......shows how spaced out I was in dealing with my own issues.

I think what is best is that it gives structure to life for awhile along with the groups that can be helpful.....I think it's a wonderful idea personally & if the program is run well, it's a really good experience.

I've been to IOP at two different hospitals. The first hospital I found it was very helpful, and it was a good step-down from inpatient. I saw a doctor everyday and had groups. The groups were CBT/DBT related and it was very helpful. The second hospital did nothing to help and didn't have good groups at all. It was not helpful, but more of someway to babysit me until I could manage on my own.

I think IOP is good, but make they're actually doing something during groups/etc to help you. If it's just fluff to fill in time, it was no more than a babysitting service. But good IOPs are definitely worth it.

Thank you both very much for sharing your experiences.

I went to IOP and found it to be a very good experience. I learned a lot of techniques for managing anxiety.

is this expensive?

gaylegg, thank you.

elevatedsoul, it all depends upon the insurance you have. Fortunately, thanks to the new healthcare system I have excellent insurance...finally. So I don't think it will be expensive for me.

I've been to a PHP which is similiar which was good for the most part. Good luck.

Thank you very much, Rzay4.

Yes I've have. It was helpful and also there are people who are going through the samething or worse I hpoe this helps

Talk to the hospital. If you don't have insurance maybe they could make out a payment plan.