[wbl526]

I've been struggling with depression for a year now, I've been seeing a p-doc for almost that long. I'm on all these medications but nothing seems to be working for me. I'm really tired and just don't want to do anything anymore.

I'm wondering if I should be hospitalized. Not sure at what point a person voluntarily decides to be hospitalized. I'm also a little nervous about the idea and wondering what it's like to go through that? Any positive experiences?

[bebop]

where I live is very difficult to get into the hospital. maybe call your pdoc or therapist and ask what they think. just an idea though.

[Peacemaker]

hi wb,

I have been hospitalized twice. The first hospitalization was terrifying and horrible. They refused to allow me to see my husband until they realized that without seeing him, I was getting worse. Then, they would allow him to come to a support group on Tues. and for a little while on Sunday. Also, this particular facility was a pit. Today, it is no longer operating.

The second hospitalization was much better but was only supposed to be admitted into the psych ward because electroconvulsive shock treatments for chronic pain had been ordered. I now know that the dr. the had me admitted had lied to me.

Generally speaking, most people are admitted on the advise of their therapist or psychiatrist because it is believed that they have plans or thinking about harming themselves or others. Although, I do know of people who have admitted themselves on their own.

If you feel like you are going to harm yourself or another, I would talk to my therapist or psychiatrist and have them write the order. Or, you could just have yourself admitted.

I will tell you that I found both experiences to be uncomfortable as you are locked in and do not leave your ward, in most cases. But in my case both times, I believe that the determination to have me admitted was a big mistake now that I have more information that I was not aware of then.

Hope this helps.

Peacemaker

[splitimage]

I was in a psych hospital for 7 weeks this summer. It was a joint decision between me and my pdoc because I was majorly depressed and was seriously thinking about hurting myself / suicide.

It was a pretty good experience. Even though the ward was sometimes locked, as a voluntary patient I could basically come and go as I pleased. I just had to sign out and tell the nurses if I was going to be gone for an extended period - like when I went out in the evening to attend AA meetings.

We had several hours of group therapy a day, which I found really helpful, and I saw my pdoc every day which was helpful when we were adjusting my medications. I was assigned a primary care nurse who checked in with me every day, and who I could talk to if I needed to. She also gave me lots of "homework" to do - mainly CBT type stuff or things to read about addiction that I'd review with her.

About the only annoying thing was the nurses checked on you every hour and more frequently if you were at risk. I was put on close observation once when I told my nurse that I really wanted to hurt myself. That meant I got checked every 15 minutes which was annoying because I was trying to meditate.

You aren't allowed to have anything sharp on you or in your room - I even had to turn in my nailfile. But you could sign out your razors, to shave your legs, from the nurses after answering questions about how safe you were feeling.

I'm not sure how typical my experience was though - I was in a dedicated psychiatric hospital on a women's only inpatient unit specifically for people with acute mood disorders and trauma histories. I was also able to get in really quickly because my pdoc is the clinical director of women's programs at the hospital.

It was a really good experience because it gave me time to focus on trying to get healthy & I learned a lot of coping skills that I still use.

If you do go in-patient, I'd say take advantage of every program / counselling they offer because that way you'll get the most out of your stay.

--splitimage

[youOme]

Been there and done that when I was 15. It was tough in my situation because it was very involuntary, I fought till the end. But when I finally settled down it became tolerable. It's a therapeutic setting basically and nothing more. There's a lot of group sessions and the occasional one on one. Depends on where you go and what type of insurance you have I'm sure. The other people made me nervous a lot because I felt they were much sicker then I was....of course that's probably apart of my sickness itself. I wouldn't let the hospital experience stop you from getting the help you need, either way they will care for you.

[Shyguy88]

I was involuntarily hospitalized back in May for attempting suicide and while I was in the hospital it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The group therapy seemed to help me and the other patients are very nice and caring with my experience. Once I got on the right anti-depressant I got into my manic mood there and I was full of energy, had only 4 hours of sleep in 5 days and I was so anxious on wanting to get out but the psychiatrist and social worker I had wanted me to stay longer because I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 disorder. The downsides was I couldn't be picky with the food, couldn't get fresh air and the feeling of being confined to one place for a long period of time.

[DePressMe]

A little over a year ago I was hospitalized for “depression with psychotic features.” I was extremely suicidal and not coping well with life. The facility was completely locked—there was no coming and going. For the most part, it was a good experience. Well, as good as circumstances would permit. Sure the food was bad, roommates annoying and I absolutely hated recreational therapy, but it was a safe place for me to go ahead and have my melt down. I had been fighting for so long to keep myself together and alive that it was a relief to finally be someplace safe. It was a turning point in my illness. Since then, I have been getting better. If I ever get that sick again, I would want my pdoc to put me back in the hospital. I trust him to make that decision for me…talk with your pdoc. Hospitalization is not a magical cure, but if you are concerned about your safety then maybe it is the right thing for you.

[timeforsleep]

I was in 2004 for the exact same reason as "DePressMe" . It was a little over a week. I was always in pajamas and a robe and slippers. Someone had to be near the bathroom door when I showered and watched when I shaved. Some of the staff were nice and some not so nice. I had auditory hallucinations before I was checked in and I don't know what medication they were giving me but I think it made the hallucinations worse because I could see a person who was not really there and I felt like invisible cats were walking on my body and my bed. It was mostly cold and very boring but I got to read a lot. I read "The Time Machine" By HG Wells and "The Damnation Game" By Clive Barker. Keep in mind you will receive a substantial bill and the bill collectors are a lot less understanding than the Doctors/counselors.