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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tdaneen on September 1, 2000, at 17:24:39
My doctor has indicated to me that I may need to get away at "Club Psych" for a few days if I don't get it together soon.
If anyone has been hospitalized for what they feel were not necessarly trivial symptoms, but not really acute symptoms either, could you please share your experience with me?
What you were experienceing, feeling, your general state, the outcome.
More than anything I am terrified of having to go into the hospital.Thanks in advance for your input!
Posted by Cass on September 1, 2000, at 18:26:00
In reply to Hospitalization, posted by tdaneen on September 1, 2000, at 17:24:39
I was hospitalized twice for suicidal ideation. I had a plan, so I was admitted against my will. Some people have really good hospital experiences. I found the experience to be frustrating and stigmatizing. I regret allowing myself to be admitted, because in retrospect, I don't think I would have gone through with my plan. If you think you will go through with a plan, you should DEFINITELY go to the hospital, but if you feel you are safe, why go through the expense and disruption of your life? Just be honest with yourself. If you feel you need to go, by all means, go. A lot of people have great experiences and receive a lot of help. But don't put yourself through a possibly costly experience which will may also stigmatize you unless you really need to.
Take care of yourself, and good luck.
Posted by shellie on September 1, 2000, at 20:15:33
In reply to Hospitalization, posted by tdaneen on September 1, 2000, at 17:24:39
tdaneen. I just got out of the hospital a few weeks ago. I was there because my depression was overwhelming and I was self-medicating with hydrocodone. Also they felt they could pump up a new medication much quicker there.
I went voluntarily. I have been there before, several times over the years. (last time five years ago for a week). This particular hospital is a pretty comfortable place for me. I liked both the doctor and the therapist. And my insurance paid for it. It's a small unit. It was good for me to be someplace else outside of my house with my depression because my business is at my house. Some hospitals don't give you any therapy. That would seem like a waste to me. So I'd look really carefully where you are going and see it as a break from having to deal with anything, but not being alone. And maybe picking something specific to work on in the hospital. I didn't and don't feel stigmitized (no one knew who I didn't what to know).
I left prematurely because the medication was making me so tired that all I was doing was sleeping. And the medication trial was a failure. I'm still in a bad state and if I need to keep safe, or go through a med change that is too hard to do by myself, I'd go back. But really, check out the hospital, go visit (I did that the first time) and see if it really has anything to offer you. Some hospitals (maybe most) are pretty bad.
Good luck, Shellie
Posted by dari on September 3, 2000, at 9:12:58
In reply to Hospitalization, posted by tdaneen on September 1, 2000, at 17:24:39
Hi TDaneen:
I have been hospitalized more times than I care to thin_ about over the last couple of years. And some stays were definitely better than others. I concur with the other posters regarding chec_ing out your options at hospitals before chec_ing yourself into one. For as ridiculous as it may sound (depending on whether you are a smo_er), some hospitals don't allow smo_ing others allow 3 15 minute periods a day or something li_e that. Again, if you don't smo_e - not a big deal, for me however, it was. Also, some hospitals offer group sessions, others - private. Are you going to be evaluated by a team at a teaching hospital or one doctor (the same one) each day that you are there. You may not feel up to investigating this stuff by yourself (if it matters at all), but perhaps your doctor can give you some insights on this. I, also, always call my insurance co. to see which ones are options for me - my company won't always pay for the one that I have in mind. I've also called the hospital directly to even see if they have beds available, because if you go to the ER (li_e I have to) they sometimes try to send me somewhere that I don't want to go.I've gone to hospitals because I was acutely ill, and other times to have meds adjusted. I've been there to detox off benzos (nightmare of nightmares), and also because those around me were concerned that my thought processes were not clear though I was not overly concerned.
I guess my main feeling is this is that I've been for a multiple of reasons. The one thing I consistently fail to remember is that hospitalizations are never a resting experience for me. I always emerge more tired than when I went in. I find it stressful to try to get better with another person sharing my room and space, and with floors of patients that are often more acutely ill than you are. My problems are always awaiting me on the outside and though the brea_ is often needed, I often find that the time away puts me bac_ in front of the ball instead of behind it. Just some thoughts. In any event, good luc_ with your decision.
dari
> My doctor has indicated to me that I may need to get away at "Club Psych" for a few days if I don't get it together soon.
> If anyone has been hospitalized for what they feel were not necessarly trivial symptoms, but not really acute symptoms either, could you please share your experience with me?
> What you were experienceing, feeling, your general state, the outcome.
> More than anything I am terrified of having to go into the hospital.
>
> Thanks in advance for your input!
Posted by judy1 on September 3, 2000, at 19:00:30
In reply to Hospitalization, posted by tdaneen on September 1, 2000, at 17:24:39
Hi,
First, any psych that would (and has) said that I may "need" to go into a psych unit if I don't get it together- feels like a threat to me. No wonder you feel anxiety. The hospitalizations I have been through have all been involuntary and negative, and these have all been private, well respected institutions. I feel hospitals should be reserved for genuine emergencies or if the patient feels safer in one. I don't think any shrink should have a timetable to judge when "you should have your act together", maybe it's time to get a second opinion. Sorry I'm not more positive. Take care- Judy
Posted by noa on September 4, 2000, at 12:42:41
In reply to Re: Hospitalization, posted by judy1 on September 3, 2000, at 19:00:30
At one point this past year, I was considering a hospitalization because my meds weren't working and I was frustrated and not getting better. I thought about the hospitalization as a way to go off meds and start over. My therapist was all for it. But my pdoc told me that with my insurance, there would be no way they would approve it. They only approve it for acute emergencies and then rush you out. He said he often has very sick patients who are suicidal or psychotic and are push out of the hospital after 3 days, even though that is clearly not enough time for the meds to start working.
I agree about the idea of doing research. Find out what your options are in area hospitals, what your insurance would pay for, whether you would incur costs, how long a stay it would likely be, and then get to know the different hospitals and their programs.
By doing this research, it might help you feel more in control, so if you need to go into the hospital, you will know more about what you are getting into.
What did your shrink mean by "getting it together"? Are you unsafe? Is he referring to specific behaviors?
Posted by pullmarine on September 28, 2000, at 6:45:07
In reply to Re: Hospitalization, posted by noa on September 4, 2000, at 12:42:41
I would recoomend you avoid the experience of being hospitalized if possible. i've never found it helpful personally, and if anything, i've found them destructive and harmful.
JOHN
> At one point this past year, I was considering a hospitalization because my meds weren't working and I was frustrated and not getting better. I thought about the hospitalization as a way to go off meds and start over. My therapist was all for it. But my pdoc told me that with my insurance, there would be no way they would approve it. They only approve it for acute emergencies and then rush you out. He said he often has very sick patients who are suicidal or psychotic and are push out of the hospital after 3 days, even though that is clearly not enough time for the meds to start working.
>
> I agree about the idea of doing research. Find out what your options are in area hospitals, what your insurance would pay for, whether you would incur costs, how long a stay it would likely be, and then get to know the different hospitals and their programs.
>
> By doing this research, it might help you feel more in control, so if you need to go into the hospital, you will know more about what you are getting into.
>
> What did your shrink mean by "getting it together"? Are you unsafe? Is he referring to specific behaviors?
This is the end of the thread.
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