Posted by Ilene on March 15, 2004, at 10:47:04
In reply to I'm thinking of going inpatient-need opinions, posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 15, 2004, at 2:24:56
I was hospitalized last week, for six days. I was nervous about going in, but it was a positive experience. I got to interact with people who willingly talked about being mentally ill.
It was helpful in the shortrun but certainly no cure. I felt incredibly better while I was in the hospital but now I'm adjusting to being back in the real world, with all its stressors.
I felt a lot like you, I think, except I don't have any psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) and my cfs is recurrent. I had nearly constant suicidal ideation but I felt too responsible for my kids to transfer the pain to them, although I feel ineffectual as a parent.
I don't think your pdoc needs to approve your admission. You need to convince the psychiatric resident at the ER. Maybe your psychotic symptoms would work in your favor.
The hospital I went to is a major *private* university medical center in the District of Columbia. I don't know the legalities of voluntary vs. involuntary admission there. I was admitted through the ER but my pdoc contacted them ahead of time. There was no problem getting admitted. (My difficulties were convincing the insurance company that admission was "medically necessary", but you don't have that problem.) Even though I fessed up to suicidal ideation there was no discussion of involunary commitment.
I'm not sure what the difference in care is between the nice cushy private hospital I went to and an underfunded public hospital. Gotta figure it's significant. However--there was a homeless man on the ward, and a couple of men who were indigent or close to it.
They performed several medical tests, and managed to pick up a borderline low thyroid that my (former) internist hadn't found. That level of testing would be a real advantage for you, since you can't afford regular medical care. They also had a social worker who wanted to put me in a partial hospitalization (day treatment) program after I got out. (I haven't decided if I'm going to do that or not.) Again, a social worker might know of resources that could help you.
Another advantage is being monitored while you undergo med changes. I had a 24-hour urine test when I started lithium. I think they also looked for vitamin deficiencies and other things (beyond the usual) in my (frequent) blood tests.
My family came every day. I don't see why you would be separated from your daughter as long as someone was willing to bring her for a visit. I'd think the psych ward staff would be willing to work with her mother or your parents on that.
I think it's worth a try, even if it turns into an involuntary stay. I believe there are limits on how long they can keep you (e.g. 48 hours). They are certainly not going to want to keep you longer than necessary. You can always say you no longer feel suicidal.
Good luck.
poster:Ilene
thread:324489
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040305/msgs/324600.html