[NuckingFutz]

just got out of the hospital after overdose. My family wants me to visit them in vegas once i restablize on my meds for a week. No problem. I am still resting and a thought what if i get up there and they try and commit me and force me to give up my apartment and cats. Or maybe in one of those homes where the diet consists of oatmeal or over cooked mac and cheese and the other out of control residents steal from you because they have a crack addiction? Am i being paranoid? I am suppose to be healing but this idea is really disturbing. Please help!

[Rmdctc]

Maybe you could talk with your family about your worries? They may just want to see you to make sure they know you are doing ok. I would say talk to them first before you start getting yourself really upset.

[Elysium]

Hey Nucking!!!

I too think that you should discuss it with one of your family members and disclose your fears and concerns.

Also....not saying you should be afraid of your family or that you should hold yourself up in your apartment, but maybe think about putting off your trip for a bit? Give yourself time to get re-acclimated with life before jumping right into a big family visit.

I remember after my inpatient hospitalization I felt out of tune for a few weeks and it took me some time to start even feeling human again. Maybe one, or a couple of your family members could come and visit you instead? That's just a lot to put yourself through right now.

You've been through sooo much recently and sometimes big travel plans can just make things that much more stressful.

Anyhow, whatever you decide, I hope it goes well for you. Remember, NO ONE can have you committed except licensed MD's and first they have to prove that you are a danger to yourself or others. Your family may try and talk to you about giving up your apt, or moving closer to them....or they might not. Just stand your ground and set your boundaries with them and don't let them hammer you down.

I'm here for you!!

[NuckingFutz]

i actually talked to mom and sisters...they want me near them but not until pdoc and i agree on readiness for a visit for a week and also find some things i could love about vegas besides my family close by. I am not a gambler, i am a nature gal so you can see we have a big task ahead of us. There are mountains and wild donkeys so tame they eat out of your hand. I would have my own place. They just want to be there when stuff happens. Prob solved thanks ladies.

[Yoda]

Poor girl you sure are having a rough time lately.

Once I went to see my psychiatrist and she said I needed to be hospitalized and I said sure, no problem, I was willing to go in. After I left her office with a social worker she called the social worker's office and decided she wanted to file a mental hygiene on me to force me to go. Which made no sense to me as I said I was willing. Needless to say I was pretty angry and lost my trust in her and ended up firing her a few months later.

But anyway the point of this is that when I discussed what happened with my therapist she said that if a doctor (or family) ever tried to file a mental hygiene again that I should go to the emergency department of a hospital that has a psych unit and request to be admitted. That puts the power into my own hands.

Hopefully you won't be faced with this but if so you might consider that as an option.

Hang in there. You are on a roller coaster ride now and at some point you will level off again. I hope it is soon.

[NuckingFutz]

yoda buddy! I sure am having a roller coaster ride. I will own my part in this, but it showed me that when i make crappy decisions, i need to head straigt to pdoc! I am suppose to be resting and slowing down...tomorrow the to do list consists of coffee with neighbors, a bubble bath, and painting my nails while listening to soothing music. Oh, the hard part will be avoiding chaos. My family would never dump me in a human warehouse. If i do decide to move when the time is right, i can use my military housing prime interest loan of $40,000 towards a nice little condo near the mountains or the um gigantic sandbox out there...hey, i can save on cat litter! love, nuckingfutz