[tealBumblebee]

Hi there. Just talking really. I said that I would never go inpatient and that if I did I would completely lose my mind and give them a reason to keep me there. However, when it happened (never say never), I had a completely different experience.

Last Sunday, I took an intentional overdose and ended up in the hospital. I wasn't trying to kill myself, only hurt myself, but I was borderline being admitted for stabilization (potassium was close to heart attack low, INR was high, hypotensive, tylenol level was already 41 in the first hour (toxicity is 140-200 in four hours), aspirin levels were up, and I had metabolic acidosis). I was medically cleared after about 36 hours and then Baker Acted and sent inpatient. I was then rebaker acted twice while inpatient and ended up staying there for a week.

Having never been inpatient before, I had no idea what to expect. I have never heard good stories about it, and it didn't help that I was out of state when it happened so I didn't have any local resources. But, you know what? While it was not an experience that I would like to have over and over - it was really okay. It was survivable and I made some potential new friends who plan to meet up before I head back home.

Of course, I couldn't have many of my things and was kept in a locked area with 15 minute checks around the clock but you know - I didn't miss one bit of it. The only reason I wanted my phone was to retrieve two numbers (which they helped me get without it), and the separation from "the world" really wasn't bad at all. I had time to think, be quiet, and catch up on sleep (which was a major contributing factor to me being in there).

They provided me with a daily psychiatrist visit, psychologist visit, and a real sit down talk with the nurse from each shift. We also had three groups a day, med management and "special" activities (popcorn/movie, icecream, etc). I didn't eat most of the time I was there (anxiety) but by the end I had my appetite back and everything.

I can also say I did a lot of advocating for myself while I was there. From the place I was at, to how the pDoc and I interacted (I have a biiiig issue with being cut off), to rationalizing how keeping me one extra day would do nothing for the issue they tried to keep me in for that had nothing to do with why I was admitted.

I'm sure not everyone has such a great experience but I just wanted to share, both my story, and also a little hope that if that is what you need it is NOT unsurvivable.

[AnxietyMaster]

Thank you for this story!

[possum220]

I hope you are feeling heaps better since coming out of hospital. Some times we just need a time out from this world.

Take Care.

[Pikku Myy]

Glad you are feeling better and that you received the help you needed