Intensive outpatient program

[Moonpie-50]

has anyone ever had to do an IOP and what is it about? I’m having to get involved with it and I’m scared to death!

[LoveforAll41]

For anyone wondering and for my own clarification, the internet yielded this: IOP stands for “intensive outpatient program.” IOP programs treat substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders.

I went to and INpatient recovery center this past year and it was one of the best things I have ever done. I found it to be a place where there were people with similar emotions that I was able to connect with quickly and profoundly.

I think that may be a little harder to do at an IOP, but I would highly recommend getting as close to all or as many of the participants as you can. Everyone will be there for some problem that is driving them crazy enough to be there, or to be sent there. By it's very nature I know that it should be a judgement free zone, and I hope that you will find it that way. I hope that you are able to take full advantage of the program Moonpie. One of the saddest things was seeing the teenagers at the inpatient program that weren't taking it seriously. I wish I would have had the sense to do something about my mental health that young.

As I have seen on this forum before, and something I like to remind myself, is that anxiety can come from being excited. This is an exciting new opportunity and it makes total sense that you would be apprehensive about it. The worry also means that you are taking it seriously and can motivate you to get the most out of it.

I hope that this gets you excited about this opportunity.

I wish you peace, hope, and strength.

[Figgins42]

The one thing outpatient did for me was give me purpose and support when I was spiralling from a major medication change and my anxiety was out of control (I kept ending up in ER). Outpatient for me was 5 days a week for maybe 3 to 4 weeks. I think I went from 9am - 1pm. It was at a psych hospital in NJ.

The program mostly consisted of different forms of groups. We had art therapy, talk therapy, medication and nutrition education, we even had a walking group. We also had a meditation group where we'd listen to a guided therapy (kind of like what you can find on YouTube). It was a depressing and scary time in my life but talking to the other patients was probably the best part of the experience. Most of them had been "upstairs" meaning inpatient and they were not happy with the resident psychiatrist and the meds she was giving them. I was fortunate enough to have my own psychiatrist who was more knowledgeable and not doing extreme things like the resident psych was doing. If you have your own psychiatrist in place, you should be able to tell them at the program that that's who you're using. I suggest that only if you have someone in place that you're happy with, if not then you'll have to go with their staff doctor. Don't fret, this doctor was most likely a rarity in her bad medicine and I doubt anything like that will happen in your case.

Other than that, it's not really scary at all. Everyone is there for support and you'll find that a lot of the patients are in worse positions than you are and that can give you a lot of perspective. It's normal to be nervous and afraid, but everyone else there is anxious too and you'll bond with people over it. Also, they keep the day pretty structured so you'll be distracted.

The one beautiful thing about being in a psych hospital setting is you no longer have to worry about what others think! You can feel as anxious or as crazy or as depressed without worrying about judgement! Sort of a "let it all hang out" situation! You'll do fine and you'll probably gain some good tools and guidance. I know I sometimes think back to things I learned in outpatient to comfort me. It was helpful.

You'll do fine! Good luck! Keep us posted!

[Tealpillow in reply to Figgins42]

This is excellent info! Thank you!

[SweetTea61]

I have done a CBT and DBT IOPs. They were hard work but so helpful to this day; especially the DBT tools I got doing it. I would do another again, if I could find one in my area (I've moved). I've been disappointed I can't find one.