[ChrisUk87]

Hi there.

Got too a point where I just cant go on anymore.

Has anyone spent time in a hospital and has it helped??

I dont have any sort of accurate disgnosis even though im getting treated for severe anxiety and depression over the last year, particularly bad over the last 4 months due to situational stuff, losing my home, job, girlfriend.

Iv got an appointment on the 15th of May and i think I need to go into hospital but im a bit scared of the thought, its been on my mind for 6 months now n i really do wish i done it sooner but i always backed out, but it told the doctor last week i really need to do something because i really cant go on anymore.I was just too proud n thought i could deal with everything on my own n things just got worse n worse.Im annoyed i let it get so bad just because i didnt want to dent my ego.

Whats peoples experiences like??

Thanks alot.

Chris

[Mrsmac42]

I have been in hospital and found it helpful in that there is always someone around to listen to your problems! On the last occasion I was really anxious about it as I was in a new town. They let me go round the hospital and see where I was going to sleep, eat etc. Perhaps they would do the same for you.

I feel for you as I had the same symptoms. Good luck!

I have been several times and found it helpful for getting stabilized. I wish you the best whatever you decide.

[ChrisUk87]

how long were you in for?? and if you dont mind me asking what for?? u dont need to say if u dont want too what was your experience with other people?? thanks, sorry for the amount of questions lol

The first two times I was in for a couple of months and the last few times a couple of weeks. First time was for anorexia and the last several times for depression, anxiety and self harm. The other people were generally nice. Any situations that arose were dealt with by staff pretty quickly.

I have bipolar disorder but it was the severe anxiety and depression and finally thinking about suic that made my ther tell me she thought I should go and I agreed to go. I had a good experience, I felt safe and I was stabilized. The other patients were much like myself. There were no patients in psychotic states on the floor I was in. That may not always be true of all hospitals though, that is just my experience. I would still go in if you are in a place where you are unstable and feel unsafe. The hospital is a safe place to be.
I wish you the best.

[ChrisUk87]

I have been thinking of suicide for about 4 months now.I have got chronic anxiety and severe depression.I was just worried about dealin with day to day life and what its actually like?? I just need too get away and try get this under control.I should have done it earlier.My days are so bad these days.

[Bark]

I've been in a psych ward a few times, at most two weeks. If you are suicidal, I think staying in hospital might be good for you. You'll be in a safe environment, and your meds may be tweaked (or you'll be put on meds if you aren't already on any).

If you're interested in personal experiences, there was a thread about it somewhere....

[SSaysRelapse]

Short Term Care is always helpful in terms of a major episode. It's probably also helpful if your goal is to assess whether or not you belong in long term care for treatment. I've been to STC twice, last because of a major episode, and I was in for 9 days.

[ChrisUk87]

Thanks for your help.Its just been so bad over the last year for me and my thinking abilities are getting worse.As i said earlier last year i was in full time employment,had my own home n was at the best point of my life,just met the girl of my dreams lol no anxiety or depression.I quit smoking cannabis after a 9 year habit n ive lost my job,home,girlfriend and lifestyle.I sleep all the time n have severe severe anxiety n depression.I fought i could beat it on my own, but iv got worse.Too proud too ask for help but ive got too a point where i cant bare life anymore.Im embarrassed and scared tbh if im like this for life, then this life aint worth living for me.

[eclipselightning]

I have been in a mental health unit 3 time and I think it is a lot different than people think it is. Here in Canada, most of the patients (especially the adolescent ones) are there for suicidal thoughts, depression,etc. It has always helped me a lot being there. It's like a mini vacation where you can relax and get help. And when you get out you feel empowered and confident. If you feel like you need the help, go to the hospital. And the people that you meet are amazing. You don't feel like you have to hide and pretend to be okay. You are free in there.

[ChrisUk87]

Thanks alot!! Iv defo suffered some sort of mental breakdown!! I'm so annoyed that I let it go this long.Im now just plagued with what ifs and barely getting through each day.My mental health has deteriorated significantly since Xmas where I defo felt I was getting somewhere, probably due to the fact my ex got pregnant n engaged to another guy, it's killed me!! I just hope this isn't permanent!! Thanks again mate

[Hellion]

I've been in the psych ward twice due to being suicidal...and worried I might harm myself. First time kind of sucked but the second time it felt like the doctors and staff actually listened to me more and where more helpful and it was a much nicer facility with decent food.

But yeah I've been feeling a bit off past couple days, like how I feel when my depression and other issues are starting to get too overwhelming...but I'm going to try not to worry too much about that just yet I'm just afraid of going into yet another major depressive episode with anxiety and PTSD crap but I know if I do I will have to consider hospitalization so I don't do anything stupid. But sometimes I can feel crappy for a couple days and get through it ok, but sometimes its a sign my mental state is getting out of control again.

People seem to get the impression you are 'better' when you get out and wont have to go back for mental reasons again...what they don't get though is sometimes things are reoccurring like sometimes my depression and other issues are more manageable and sometimes they aren't and different things can set that off.

I spent six days in-patient.... I ponder going back.

I abhorred the concept of going "to the nut house"..... but honest - when I was there, it was fine. The other patients were great (very relate-able). The place I was at did not allow cell phones - but beyond that it was nice. The food was good, the staff was nice. The place was clean...

[ifst5]

I'm in the UK and I'd like to know what options you feel are available for inpatient care, have you been told you may well qualify for a PICU? (Presuming they have those or something similar in Scotland) Or are you considering going private? PICU's over here are more of a holding area and depending on your area can be extremely unpleasant. They're usually only used in extreme cases anyway due to cost etc. There are of course therapeutic communities and other sort of care homes that adopt a more holistic approach. My advice? If you're choosing to go voluntary be very careful - know EXACTLY what is expected of you and what the treatment plan will be. Enquire what the policies are if you become involuntary during the length of your stay. Structure, staffing, resident levels and overall security/level of need are other aspects you may want to find out about. Also a word of caution about going private; dress it up whatever way possible, it's still all about money. And this can be better in some instances because at least you'll know you're paying for what you get but don't be suckered in - state very clearly how long you think you need with them or choose a programme you think will be suited to YOU. By all means ask their advice and question the methods etc but don't be manipulated into paying more then you feel you should. Sounds obvious but sometimes when you're not in the best state it can be easy to forget things like that. I wish you all the best.

[ChrisUk87]

Originally Posted by ifst5

I'm in the UK and I'd like to know what options you feel are available for inpatient care, have you been told you may well qualify for a PICU? (Presuming they have those or something similar in Scotland) Or are you considering going private? PICU's over here are more of a holding area and depending on your area can be extremely unpleasant. They're usually only used in extreme cases anyway due to cost etc. There are of course therapeutic communities and other sort of care homes that adopt a more holistic approach. My advice? If you're choosing to go voluntary be very careful - know EXACTLY what is expected of you and what the treatment plan will be. Enquire what the policies are if you become involuntary during the length of your stay. Structure, staffing, resident levels and overall security/level of need are other aspects you may want to find out about. Also a word of caution about going private; dress it up whatever way possible, it's still all about money. And this can be better in some instances because at least you'll know you're paying for what you get but don't be suckered in - state very clearly how long you think you need with them or choose a programme you think will be suited to YOU. By all means ask their advice and question the methods etc but don't be manipulated into paying more then you feel you should. Sounds obvious but sometimes when you're not in the best state it can be easy to forget things like that. I wish you all the best.

Hey thanks for the reply!! I won't be private if I do get a referral, my appointment on the 15th is an initial assessment n I just hope it isn't two addiction councillors who I seem way back in August and they told me "it's just a phase, we could refer you too a psychiatrist but we don't feel u need it" they weren't doctors or nurses but dealt with this all the time!! This was after me telling them I was off work for 12 week due too my anxiety,never left the house without my girlfriend n couldn't face going back too work!! When I think back now I'm actually quite annoyed because I ended up losing my job, lost my home nd girlfriend which has caused even more problems and added depression too that list!!! At the time I listened too them n just thought it would pass but it didn't!!! Ill be bringing this up at my appointment!!! Back too the point lol the unit at our town is a state run mental health unit, I don't know much about it but I was quizzing my neighbour who spent 12 months there too find out his experiences!! I'm really scared tbh for 25 years I suffered nothing except minor anxiety but now I can't believe how bad it is!! I need help n I think this is my only option!!!