question about hospitalization.....quick

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2005
question about hospitalization.....quick
4
Mon, 05-16-2005 - 9:43pm
Can anyone tell me what happens when you go to the hospital voluntarily for suicidal feelings/thoughts/actions? I'm feeling real bad right now; I've thought about going to the hospital before but the idea REALLY, REALLY scares me. What exactly do they do there? How long do they keep you? Do they let you go if you want to leave? Do they lock you up? Are you with dangerous crazy people? How do you keep your workplace from finding out where you are? Also, i live at home with my parents and one sister, and I'm afraid of what they would think about me going into the hospital. I don't think they realize how bad or desparate I am because i have had many years of experience of hiding my emotions/problems and i'm real good at appearing "just fine" on the outside but inside i'm falling apart fast. I think they would freak out if i went to the hospital, like there's a stigma there. This makes me feel even worse and makes me want to die more. Could someone plesase answer quickly? thanks.
Avatar for markshay
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2003
Mon, 05-16-2005 - 10:00pm
All hospital programs are different, and even the same ones change their ways of doing things from time to time. But in my experience, the ones I've been in have been locked units, meaning that no one can come in or go out of the unit. It does tend to be a safe place. Occassionaly you may come across someone who is in at the same time as you are who is in a really bad spot (psychotic, and needing a medicine adjustment/change, etc). Usually you find other people much like yourself there tho and you would be surprised at how "normal" they seem but feeling bad also. They set out to give you a treatment plan, have inpatient therapy and group sessions, plus try new meds. Most places I think anyways, put a suicidal person on a suicide watch which can mean anything from having to hang out in hospital clothes until they feel you are safe, to having someone sit with you 24 hours a day. The psychiatrist comes in just about daily and talks with you and tries to figure out the best meds and treatment. As far as getting back out, you can try to sign yourself out AMA (against medical advice) but if they feel that you are NOT safe to be out, then they can "pink" slip you, hold you for 72 hours, request a hearing to keep you longer until you can be released safely. They will NOT hold you longer than they think you need to be (especially because of insurances). As far as work goes, tell them you need some person sick time, they should not be able to find out where you are and you don't have to tell them. Mental health units are not permitted to tell anyone anything unless you sign a release or if they feel there is a threat to someone else (abuse, etc). Do I think it can be a great instrument in getting to the other side of a bad time? YES. If nothing else, gives you some time away to think about things, have someone there all the time to use as sounding boards and helps in getting meds and even some medical tests done to get you on the other side. So if you really feel like you need it, I say go for it! You'd be surprised at who you will meet in there and like I said, unless you tell someone, they won't find out where you are. Let us know how you are doing when you can.
Sandra.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2005
Mon, 05-16-2005 - 11:18pm
Hi Sandra, thanks for your quick reply. I don't know, it still sounds kind of scary ro me, i don't like the idea of being "locked up" or told I can't leave-I think it would freak me out, like I was in jail or something. And I'm so afraid someone would find out, out least someday, because then there'd be a record i was "hospitalized in a mental health facilty". I am even afraid because I am seeing a new psychiatrist next week and I am so afraid of being hosptialized against my will--what are the conditions for that, if you know? Thanks again.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-12-2004
Tue, 05-17-2005 - 12:15am

I'll try and answer your questions as best I can from my own personal and professional experience. Others will likely add their own feedback which is great cause it will give you a variety of perspectives!


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Avatar for schitz
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2004
Tue, 05-17-2005 - 3:27am

Hi, (triggers -talks about my attempt) please come back to this later (or never) if you aren't safe.

Well I'm in Canada so this is all probably irrelavent. I went to the hospital for an actual attempt and didn't even end up inpatient. I just remained in EPT (emergency psychiatric treatment) for about 22 hrs. They said I was "coherent" and sent me home. :( I suppose that they didn't seriously think it was a suicide attempt. They just observed me because of the meds in my system (being traquillizers they let me suffer through it lucky me (although I've heard the charcoal stuff is horrible). Apparantly tranquillizers aren't as lethal as i thought. I just was stoned for the next three days (of course the hospital didn't know that because they sent me home). I wasn't coherent, and definately wasn't safe.

I was so angry about that. If they didn't even admit me for an attempt I become alot less likely to go there with the thoughts before an attempt.

I don't know if this was helpful or made things worse or just had you saying "why they heck is she saying this"

Hope you are well,

Amanda

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