Has anyone ever gone to an intensive outpatient program?

I need more help because I can't cope with my anxiety and pain. I'm not sure if Buspar is making me better or worse. I called T yesterday and she is recommending I get someone to live with me/and or an intensive outpatient program. I'm scheduled for a pain management program but the evaluation isn't for a month. I'm not sure what to do but I can't function. T is going to call my pdoc. She also suggested a T session with some of my family. I can't do both programs at once. I got only 4 hours of sleep last night because of my situation. A friend is sleeping by me just for the night. I'm already anxious about my day and about decisions. And the sudden dizziness and weakness that overtakes me, which could be panic attacks. Plus the leg pain. I have a few doctors to call but don't know how to decide what to do. The anxiety program looks like CBT and DBT. It seems those are the "in" treatments nowadays though many don't like them. I don't care. I just need help!

I went to an IOP several years ago. It didn't help with the underlying issues but it did help with the fear and loneliness for the weeks that I was in it. And that helped overall, some, after I left. Basically, terms of my issues it was a waste of money. But in terms of helping me get through a couple of months, it did help.

The DBT and CBT were of no use to me, and the invalidation I got when I tried to talk about it was horrible. Usual, but still horrible. I numbed out, got through the program, and as I said, being around some other people for 2 months did help some from where I was when I went into the program.

I'm sorry that you need more help now, and I have not done an intensive program but a pain management program with biofeedback and other skill-building would have been my next step if the physical therapy/herbal/etc things hadn't worked at the time I was experiencing chronic pain. So I would definitely encourage you to do that, but in the meantime it makes sense to consider your T's advice. You probably know this, but using one's current social network to find someone to be a personal assistant or however you might phrase it is a really good idea. There are agencies that help older people (65+) (I would suggest a state agency first if there isn't a local or community based option where you are) find people if you can't or don't want to use your social network.

I'm sorry things are so difficult right now, and I hope you're able to get what you need for help.

Sending you hugs, R8. Did you ever get off the gabapentin?

Big hugs, i have never done out patient because they are not avalible in my town. I do go to day program 3 days a week runs out of the mental health clinic kinda like out patient. It's not time lmited or is there pyschotherapy group. It's more social activities and i still see my therapist. I thought at first it would not help me, but 4 years later it's a big help to me. I would take your therapist advice get into outpatient til your other program starts. Im sorry you are struggeling so much.

I think intense treatment prog is good for the novice.
But with one's own therapy well down the road. I dont think it'll be all that much help.
I say this because before my therapy journey I began in a treatment program. It was all new. A new way of thinking. New ideas.
Now when I look back at it, it was like kindergarten.
I've had to much therapy for it to be of much help.
You've been with your T a while haven't you.

I considered IOP for addiction in the past but did not try in the end. I think it can be good as a distraction from the problems one is stuck in and an opportunity to try new things. I don't think it involves deep therapy but can help to snap out of a bad phase and possibly get new perspectives to explore.

I did an IOP for DBT and it was alright, taught me the skills. But, what really has helped is the outpatient program I am in right now. It’s called a “PROS” program, which, in my state, is a specific type of outpatient treatment program. It stands for “Personalized Recovery Oriented Services.” And basically...it is what the name says. They personalize the treatment program to you. So you take “classes” in whatever you need. You can be there anywhere from for one class a week (like I am now), or you can be there all day, every weekday (like I was at the beginning), or anywhere in between. I’ve taken classes on everything, from group therapy, to anxiety management, pain management, DBT, CBT, etc.. and I have an individual therapist there and a psychiatrist. Although, with my program, you can see an outside therapist and psychiatrist. I’d look into maybe seeing if where you live has anything like this? I don’t know what state you live in, but I imagine many states have programs like this one (I live in NY). It has literally turned my life around.

I have never attended one but I work on one. It is definitely not for everybody. It really depends on what the person needs and to some degree the work they put into it.

In our area IOPS are usually 9-16 hours a week which I believe is the requirement for insurance. PH is required to be a minimum of 2 hours a week. Medicare will only pay of the patient is in the Partial program

Ahh, yes, when I did that DBT IOP, it was actually a PHP, I forgot, I have Medicaid and they wouldn’t let me do IOP for whatever reason. But this program that I’m in now is a different type of thing. It’s like fully outpatient and it’s associated with a hospital but it’s not at the hospital like my PHP program was. This program they let there be variability in attendance, for whatever reason. I think it’s because they bill by the class and not for the program as a whole.

Thank you. I liked my DBT group but it wasn't for anxiety. I think it's ridiculous to pay over $10,000 for a couple of weeks of therapy though. They don't take Medicare!

Thanks, Anne. The IOP would be for the anxiety, not specifically pain. The Biofeedback doesn't seem to help. I don't know what to do. The pain management program is a month away.

I have been off Gabapentin for months now. I tried it 3 different times.

Thank you. I don't think this program is worth $20,000 out of pocket though. T is looking into one at a hospital for me that would take Medicare. Outpatient.

Thank you. I've been with my T 8 years. I can't cope with the anxiety though. Plus the pain. I've taken DBT and know about CBT. T thinks being in an intensive group situation will help but at this point I think it will cause more stress because of my pain. Also long ride to get there!

Thanks. Maybe but I'm stressed thinking about it, and the cost is ridiculous unless I absolutely need this program. Idk.

Thank you. This program seems to be only in NY!

Because of my pain, I don't think I can concentrate on the program. Anxiety and pain are a vicious cycle. I feel so frustrated. I'm still taking Buspar but a low dose so I don't know if it's working.

Medicare won't pay for the program I looked into. It would cost about $10,000 for 2 weeks. Maybe more!

My T is looking into an outpatient program at a hospital but not sure if that would work for me either. I'm getting more anxious writing these replies! I see T today. I hope I can get there. Last week we did a phone session.

Pain and anxiety are very much intertwined. What helps one will help the other.

I realize that. Never in my life have I suffered like this! 😞

Rainbow,
This is Chris (Lolagrace), and I've opened up an account specifically because of what you are describing with your pain. Once I've gotten my first three posts approved and have the ability to PM you, I will. My husband has dealt with long-term neuropathic pain and I think I have some things to share with you. I just don't want to do it on the open forum. PM will be more appropriate. In the meantime, just know I'm thinking about you.