Treatment Centers

[saraelizabeth1440]

Hi Guys! I'm new to this group & was just wondering if anyone had done treatment at a inpatient or residential treatment center? If so, which center did you go to & did it work or help you?

[Tellmeaboutit]

Yes I was in a place at our local hospital for 3 or 4 days. They gave me some new meds straight away which lessened the depression until it wasn't "life-threatening" (doc's words). But the meds had horrible side effects (severe backache, inability to sleep) and the place itself sucked (too many rules, uncomfortable surroundings, total get-AWAY-from-me-NOW freaky other patients. They wouldn't even let us have caffeine so that in itself was caused headaches and overall bad mood. They wouldn't let us go outside or even sit near an open window, and after only three days that got to feeling pretty cooped up. Wouldn't have thought it would that fast but it did. Oddly many of those things just add to the anxiety and depression. I figured out what they wanted me to do and say and did it pronto just to get out of there, not because I felt any much better just because i hated being there.

They did get me set up with a new doctor who got me on a good medication routine, so in the end I guess it was successful. But I don't think I'd go back there; if I have another crisis I'll try to do something different.

But just my experience I'm sure for some it works out great.

[saraelizabeth1440 in reply to Tellmeaboutit]

Thank you for telling your story ! We have a mental health Hospital where I live but I had a friend who went there and they over medicated her and wouldn’t let her have her phone or visitors. They tried to keep her there even tho she just wanted to leave & she did tell me about other patients that had different mental illnesses than her making things worse. So I would never go to a hospital like that because I know I would be worse haha I was thinking like a residential treatment center where its like a home environment if that makes sense

[Agora1]

Hi saraelizabeth1440, yes I have been in patient at my request to my doctor.

It was in the Psyche Unit of a large Chicago hospital. My anxiety was extreme

and my meds were no longer working. While in patient, new meds were tried

as well as different dosages. I felt more willing to try the new drugs while being

in a safe monitored place. I also liked the structure of each and every day as

well as what I learned in group classes. I was in for 6 weeks and came out knowing

much more about myself, what anxiety does to our mind and body as well as how

to reduce stress and fear.

For me, it was the best decision I had made. Whatever you decide sara, I wish you

well. xx

[saraelizabeth1440 in reply to Agora1]

This is great to hear ! I’m so glad you came out stronger than before thank you for sharing your story !!

[Agora1 in reply to saraelizabeth1440]

As with everything in life sara, it's what we make of it.

For me, it was a positive experience. I actually didn't want to go home

at the time and so it was extended to 6 weeks.

[Calm_mama]

I have 2 loved ones who have experienced higher levels of care. Both had excellent experiences. Just my opinion- if you can do residential rather than inpatient hospital, I personally believe that is better. The environment is so different at residential and I believe, more conducive to healing. It is hard to get insurance to pay for it. When feeling poorly, it's difficult to make all the necessary phone calls to facilities/insurance etc to find the right residential fit, but IMO it is worth it. Inpatient hospital is also an excellent choice for many, many people as well, and it's a bit easier to get admitted. Acuity matters. So if things are not so acute, residential can make more sense.

Know that there are also levels of care below residential as well: PHP (Partial hospitalization program) and IOP (Intensive outpatient programs). I've also known people to just get intensive therapy- like 3-4 days a week, with or without some kind of support group or DBT or CBT skills classes.

There are many options, especially if you have good mental health coverage through insurance. It's worth fighting with insurance companies IMO to get excellent help/care!

Wishing you all the best