[jpal71]

How can I know that long-term state hospitalization is the right choice for my teenaged daughter? How can I know she will get the right therapeutic treatment? Aren't long-term state hospitals only beneficial for medication and observation? A mental health professional I spoke to says that it "takes" more than it "gives". My daughter has been admitted to acute care psychiatric hospitals on 6 occassions for cutting and visual/auditory hallucinations.

[phoenix7]

Im sorry that you are going through this - and that your daughter is in such pain that she SI's

I would talk to the people in charge of the hospital and other hospitals/care centres you are considering and ask them what outcomes they have in mind - what plan they will put in place and exactly how they are going to help your daughter - knowledge is power and they should have a plan - then take it from there

Make sure that they are going to keep you in the loop as to how shes doing - theres confidentiality but they can give you info outside of that - so she feels safe and so do you - I hope you find somthing that works P7

[Berries]

I am very sorry for what you and your daughter are going through. I know it is a very frightening and painful time for you both.

Be very, very careful when it comes to state mental hospitals. I have never been in one, myself. I was very fortunate to have insurance at the times I was hospitalized.

But I have had family and friends who have been and they did not have good experiences. One said that she was more traumatized by that hospitalization than any other trauma she had ever experienced before. My uncle never forgave my grandparents for putting him in one.
And I have other sad tales.

I don't mean to frighten you more and I know you are desperate to get your daughter help, but I cannot not share this with you.

The mental health professional you referred to may have a point--it seems to me like they do "take" more than they help.

I would explore any other possible options first and foremost.

I wish you & your daughter the best of luck. Keep posting and asking questions here at psychcentral. This is a good resource.

[jpal71]

Thank you for the support.

I just got back from a meeting with the doc at the hospital; they want to take my daughter off her current medications (Abilify, Topomax, and Zoloft) and replace them with Risperadone and Lithium. She has been on these medications before (not at the same time) and did not do very well. The Risperadone caused her to sleep 18 hours/day and she was still experiencing hallucinations. While she was on the Lithium she cut herself 50+ times, was constantly angry, and ran away from home. I'm very upset that the doc wants to prescribe the Lithium even after I've made him aware that she doesn't do well on it.

My daughter is very upset and is bracing herself for a downward spiral.

[phoenix7]

ask the dr's what they think they can accomplish with this mix of meds - ask them how they think it will improve her life - ask them why they think it will work this time -is it because they are combining meds?

Its hard to keep asking questions but you have to let them know that you are there and that you will be active in your daughters care - Im sorry this is so hard for you and your daughter - I hope things work out P7

[Berries]

It sounds to me like your daughter is in a short-term psych facility at the moment and that they are recommending a transfer to a long-term state hospital? Is that true?
If so, it may not be so easy to just fire the psychiatrist.
If she is currently in the hospital to keep her physically safe from herself, you don't just get to switch to another doctor, it isn’t that easy.
But, if you are unhappy with the treatment she is getting from this psychiatrist, I would suggest you trying to transferring her to another psyche facility. Most hospitals have psyche wards. It is your right, if she is a minor, to have her transferred. Just call another hospital and ask to speak to someone there about a transfer and explain why.
If this is not possible, ask to speak with the social worker at that hospital. She/he may be a good liaison between you and your daughter’s psychiatrist.

[Arika]

I hate to say it, but if they move her to a state hospital it is very unlikely she'll get much "care". State run hospitals in my experience are more of a warehouse than a treatment facility. If she needs longterm placement a private hospital would have more options for actual treatment.