possible hospitalization

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
possible hospitalization
7
Fri, 04-16-2004 - 7:17am
Good morning kind supporters. After a very emotional few days (and being potentially harmful to myself).DH approached me about being hospitalized and I agreed. He contacted my GP and unfortunately I can’t see him until next Wed. Between the physical problems I am experiencing, coupled with the emotional roller coaster I have been on, I believe I have no other options. Therapy once a week just isn’t cutting it.

My sister-in-law who is well aware of my physical and emotional problems works at the hospital near me. When I told her of considering being hospitalized she suggested I go to another hospital that is an hour away that deals with depression etc. She said if I went to the hospital where she works I wouldn’t get the therapy and one on one that I need. When she suggested the other hospital I broke down. I don’t want to be labeled a “nut case” etc. and in a small town everyone knows your business.

She made me feel a bit better when she said if I had to start in that hospital to get myself together emotionally, and while there they can monitor my physical problems I may get to the root of many problems all at once.

So what’s holding me back? The last time I was hospitalized for depression I was sent to this 12 bed hospital and was treated like a mushroom. I never saw a nurse unless it was to give me a pill and my doctor stopped in 3 times in 6 days.nBy the second day I was more depressed than I was when I went in.

I’m terrified at the thought that the GP may suggest the “mental” hospital. Just the stories I’ve heard, the fact that it’s so far from home etc. has already got me in a state of panic.

Not sure where this will lead me I guess I will have to wait and see what GP says but I know something has to be done because my rope I’ve been hanging onto is becoming shorter and shorter. I need to forget about what people think and do what’s best for me. My sister-in-law told me that.

Has anyone actually spent time in this type of hospital and if so did you find it beneficial? Just wondering what to expect.

Thanks in advance,

Tam

Avatar for pit_n_kidoodles
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 04-16-2004 - 7:49am
Good morning Tam,

I'm sorry to hear that things aren't going well for you right now, but maybe some of my experience with hospitalization will help ease your mind. I have been hospitalized several times for attempted suicide and for SI. The time frame ranged from over-night to 3 months ( that was when I was 13 - I highly doubt they would keep you that long - dont panic). The most recent was after an extremely serious and very close attempt. I was admitted to the ICU unit after my room-mate found me unconsious on April 30. I spent 9 days in ICU and then I was released and taken by the Sherriffs Office to New Horizons ( a mental hospital) for evaluation. I was only there 2 1/2 days before I was sent home. Now, some of the reason I was not kept longer is that because of my over dose I have extensive liver damage and they are unable to prescribe anything for depression.

From my experiences though what *normally* happens is once you are checked in most of the time the doctor will see you the following morning and go over your history and current meds. They adjust things around a bit and add more or delete some and then the waiting game beins. Unfortunately, when dealing with meds nothing is a sure fire bet and waiting is often part of the process. Most of the psychiatric hospitals are more of a short term stabilizing measure. Once you are a bit more stable and they feel you are no longer a risk to yourself they will release you and continue following up on an out patient basis. I don't know how it is where you are but in Florida the *rule* for doctor visits is - they must see you the day after admission and then they are required to see you once within every 3 days to evaluate you unless they feel you are long term in which case they must see you within every 7 days, and then the day that you are to be released.

Overall, the hospitals thatI have been in were very decent. They do not have the comforts of home but the staff have always been friendly and nothing like you see in some movies. You spend alot of time in *groups* that are useful about 50% of the time depending on the hospital and there are people there that are going to be more ill that you are in different ways so sometimes that can be a bit strange and make you feel like you don't belong there. There have been times that I know I would not be here if I had not gone to the hospital and there have been times when I thought it was a complete waste of my time. However, if you feel you may be a danger to yourself then by all means you should be admitted and evaluated. I came thisclose to leaving my children without a mother nd devistating my true friends. Don't take a chance with you life honey. Take the steps (even those that are difficult to make) to get better. You deserve it. I wish you luck.

Love and Hugs,

~Christy~

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2004
Fri, 04-16-2004 - 3:49pm

Hi, Tam!


I've dealt with depression for many years and have been hospitalized on a number of occasions.

AcornLeaves
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
Fri, 04-16-2004 - 7:28pm
I just want to say thank you to both of you for sharing your experiences so openly and honestly. It helps to know that I won't be the first admitted to such a place and I certainly won't be the last.

BTW...meds don't sound like an option for me because to date I've had really bad reactions to SSRI's & SNRI's. I guess I will wait and see what the doc says next week.

Again thanks for sharing such personal information with me. I greatly appreciate it.

Hugs,

Tam
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Fri, 04-16-2004 - 9:34pm
Hi Tam, I'll just add my 2cents. I have been hospitalized a few times. Sometimes to keep me from hurting myself, a couple of times after suicide attempts and once to begin ECT. I was on a psych ward and not real impressed. I think it just really depends on the hospital and what they are set up for. If the hospital you are considering in the other town deals with depression ---it would probably be a good thing for you. That's the problem when I go in. The psych ward is for all sorts of problems. Sometimes I have been so scared of some of the other patients---that it's worse than the depression itself. Once a nurse told me she thought it was a bad set up and that there should be a separate wing just for depression patients. I say---listen to your sister-in-law and don't worry about what anyone else says! Good luck to you. Debbie
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2004
Fri, 04-16-2004 - 11:20pm

Tam, I definitely echo Debbie's sentiments.

AcornLeaves
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
Sat, 04-17-2004 - 7:07am
Hello again,

The hospital that my sister-in-law refered me to is a phyciatric (sp?) hospital. A friend of mine stopped by yesterday and told me about her mother-in-laws stay in the hospital. She was hospitalized for depression. She said her MIL came out much better (spent 3 weeks) but there were times when she was terrified of the other patients. That's got my panties in a bit of a bunch! She said there was a lot of one on one for her MIL as well as group therapy. I agree that there should be a place that treats only depression. Perhaps when I am feeling better I will take on the world and demand that a section of both hospitals have a place for those of us suffering from depression only. Probably a very unrealistic dream because we don't have enough health care providers as it is. I would like to see a place with one on one counciling and staff readily available whenever we need them. I know counciling once a week just isn't enough and general hospitals just don't have the services I require.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2004
Sat, 04-17-2004 - 1:20pm

Hi, Tam!


That does sound as though the psychiatric hospital could be very helpful.


I know what you mean about being frightened by some of the other patients.

AcornLeaves