[gypsymama]

I was recently appointed a psychiatrist/ therapist by the psychiatric hospital I had the joy of visiting recently, and they made me sign paperwork stating that if I miss appointments with this therapist or don't go along with his plan, that I will be hospitalized again!! How is this even legal!!! I had to sign the paperwork or they wouldn't finish my release from the hospital!!!

How can I go into a therapy session and be open and honest when I am terrified that saying the wrong thing is going to get me hospitalized??? I have had therapists in the past, I agree that therapy works and have always been open and honest with them. But now, there's no way in hell I can tell this guy how I really feel. I can't tell anyone how I really feel. I don't want to be put in a hospital ever again! It was traumatizing for me. I'm scared and paranoid even talking briefly about that experience here.

Anybody out there have any suggestions?? I have a week before I have to go.

gosh, this does sound scary. is there a free or lowcost legal clinic near you that you can contact to find out how this works legally? were you hospitalized against your will? i don't know how this works but here are some .

[gypsymama]

Originally Posted by bloom3

gosh, this does sound scary. is there a free or lowcost legal clinic near you that you can contact to find out how this works legally? were you hospitalized against your will? i don't know how this works but here are some .

Yes, I was hospitalized against my will. The problem is, this is the low cost clinic, and the other local low cost clinic is the one who strapped me down and sent there. But the real problem, I have regular Medicare, and not one doctor or psychiatrist in my area is accepted it anymore. I can't change to a different plan until June. But like I said, I signed the paper, I have no choice but to comply, which is difficult for me. I am usually fiercely independent and hate to be told what to do by anyone.

[Claire89-2]

I suggest that the first thing you talk about with your psychiatrist when you see him/her is just what you are saying here. Talk about how it feels to you to have to sign a paper like you did and the implications. I think it would be helpful to look over the paper together and talk about it. You sound as if you don't feel safe talking openly with your psychiatrist. That you need to talk about too. I can understand your fear from the things you are talking about and your perceptions. But I also know that the more the two of you talk together about the things that frighten you (if indeed your psychiatrist is providing you psychotherapy in 50 min. sessions) the more you'll get your working relationship sorted out. Then you can relax and settle in to your therapeutic work. It always takes a while to get to know your therapist as you know since you have had experience with therapy in the past. So each of you is learning something about the other and it's all new.

- Claire

Originally Posted by gypsymama

I was recently appointed a psychiatrist/ therapist by the psychiatric hospital I had the joy of visiting recently, and they made me sign paperwork stating that if I miss appointments with this therapist or don't go along with his plan, that I will be hospitalized again!! How is this even legal!!! I had to sign the paperwork or they wouldn't finish my release from the hospital!!!

How can I go into a therapy session and be open and honest when I am terrified that saying the wrong thing is going to get me hospitalized??? I have had therapists in the past, I agree that therapy works and have always been open and honest with them. But now, there's no way in hell I can tell this guy how I really feel. I can't tell anyone how I really feel. I don't want to be put in a hospital ever again! It was traumatizing for me. I'm scared and paranoid even talking briefly about that experience here.

Anybody out there have any suggestions?? I have a week before I have to go.

[pachyderm]

[kitten16]

Agreeing with Claire!

Wow, I don't think they should have threatened you like that with further hospitalization. What jerks!

I know I'm stating the obvious -- but therapy just doesn't work without the freedom to be vulnerable in session. You'll have to trust your T to the nth degree. And it's so very hard to get to that place, even under normal circumstances. But with the threat of hospitalization being held over you like a sword? I understand why you feel this is doomed right out of the gate.

I would say try not to let these (totally justified) fears spoil your first meeting with your therapist though. This person might be someone you can really open up to. They might turn into your biggest ally.

I'm really interested in what happens to you now! I hope you'll update us on your first session

[gypsymama]

Originally Posted by Claire89-2

I suggest that the first thing you talk about with your psychiatrist when you see him/her is just what you are saying here. Talk about how it feels to you to have to sign a paper like you did and the implications. I think it would be helpful to look over the paper together and talk about it. You sound as if you don't feel safe talking openly with your psychiatrist. That you need to talk about too. I can understand your fear from the things you are talking about and your perceptions. But I also know that the more the two of you talk together about the things that frighten you (if indeed your psychiatrist is providing you psychotherapy in 50 min. sessions) the more you'll get your working relationship sorted out. Then you can relax and settle in to your therapeutic work. It always takes a while to get to know your therapist as you know since you have had experience with therapy in the past. So each of you is learning something about the other and it's all new.

- Claire

While I appreciate what you have to say, the psychiatrist I have to see works for the hospital that I was admitted to and I have to return to the same building for my appointments. There is no showing him the paper and discussing it with the psych ward 10 feet away. This place is a mental hospital, if you disagree, you get thorazined. I saw it happen over a dozen times during my stay with only 15 patients on the ward. I cannot disagree with the paperwork or treatment. I cannot get upset in any way. I cannot raise my voice. I cannot speak my mind. I plan on sitting in the chair and smiling and saying everything is fine until they let me go.

[gypsymama]

I went to see the psychiatrist today. I was terrified of her, turns out she was terrified of me! I don't know why. She was just timid, nervous and didn't say much of anything until we came to the medication part. I of course stuck to just flat out lying to the woman. I just want this forced therapy over so I can find my own therapist! Someone who can actually help me. I hope. All I want is help, but it seems so far out of reach right now.