Posted by Janice on February 21, 2000, at 22:03:32
In reply to Re: Harry b and Michael...and a question, posted by harry b. on February 20, 2000, at 23:22:53
hello harry b,
Sorry to hear you're having such a bad time. I can share with you my time in the hospital. I was there for mania and exhaustion.
Early one spring day at the end of April, 1995, after 2 sleepless nights where I remained at work and after several weeks of my obsessive, absolute control of every thermostat in the entire office, my collegues strongly encouraged me to 'get help' or they would have to 'get me help'.
I went to the hospital voluntarily where they very quickly stabilized me, and started giving me lithium. I had a roommate, who made me very nervous at first because she was always trying to cut herself with anything she could find. Eventually we became friendly, and she promised she wouldn't try to cut herself around me anymore (she kept the promise). The staff was great. No one treated me like I was crazy. Every creature comfort complaint I had was taken seriously.
I thoroughly enjoyed the structure provided by the hospital and having meals made for me. Because after my high, I came down pretty drastically. The large majority of patients were fine people.
I remained in the hospital for (I believe 10 days to 2 weeks).Like Chris, I met my psychiatrist there and continued to see him every week for 1 hour for 5 years. My hospital stay for me was the beginning of the ending of my many symptoms of my mental illnesses. It finally hit me how serious my problems were, and essentially I began to accept help that so many kind, generous people were willing to give.
As for my job, I never went back to it - but that was my choice. The very worst was the shame I felt from behaving this way in front of my coworkers. Nevertheless, I have no complaints about them. Some of my collegues came to visit me in the hospital. I was told that during a staff meeting, the office had a mental health professional come in to talk to everyone about manic depression. They wanted me to come back to work, and I really didn't feel any kind of prejudice coming from any of them. From the top to the bottom of the company's hierarchial structure, I found the staff to be tolerant and open minded.
Essentially though harry b., I realized I was working myself to the bone for something I wasn't that crazy about, and it was the time at the hospital (as well as a bit of sanity) that helped me to reach this insight.
My family and friends were fantastic - and extremely happy to see me finally accept help. I had an earlier hospital stay where I emotionally rejected any help.
harry b.,
I hope I have helped you in any way. I mean, mostly I found it to be a pleasant place. I even made a friend (the roommate) that I am still in touch with, and she is doing very well also. From this stay at the hospital, I have been consistently getting better.
>
It's great for me to see that you can ask for help. Even now it surprises me the amount of people that are available and enjoy helping people in times of trouble.If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
make sure you keep us up to date. Janice.to answer the rest of your questions:
No sedation - unless you were high or violent.
Not under observation - the staff believed what i said
No restraining - unless you were violent
No sedations - unless you were high or violent.As far as I know, most of these hospitals are very sophisticated. The public's perceptions of these hospitals are about 30 years behind the times.
I live in Canada harry, so I'm not certain as to the laws in the States. Actually, I don't even know the laws about this stuff in Canada.
I'm certain this is my longest post ever!
poster:Janice
thread:22792
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000220/msgs/23018.html