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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 holymama on June 8, 2004, at 20:32:19
Well, I just spent a week in a psych ward, trying to stabilize on my medications. It's been a few days since I've been out, and I'm feeling so much better than when I went in, but wondering how long it will take to heal. I suppose it took a while to break down, so it will probably take as long to get better. I wonder why doctors don't talk about that -- noone spoke with me about healing. They just sent me on my way with my new meds and a fuzzy brain, completely exhausted from a week's stay (a week's work) in the hospital. Sent home to care for three young children. When I mentioned to my doctor in the psych ward that my mother had offered for me to stay at her house for a while in between the hospital and home (a halfway house!), he said 'Oh! You probably won't need that!' But I do!! I was actually quite eager to just jump back into my chaotic life, my body and mind working at something like 25%, since that is what I thought I HAD to do. But it was my husband and parents who said 'No. We'll take care of the kids for a while. You take a few weeks to rest.' A few weeks to rest!!! What hard working American would dream of such a thing! My amazing husband and generous parents have allowed me the time to heal, and it's something I'm not used to , but something I've realized is so needed. How can you suffer a nervous brekdown and just jump back into life??
Posted by Possibility on June 8, 2004, at 21:01:40
In reply to Out of the Looney Bin, posted by holymama on June 8, 2004, at 20:32:19
I relate entirely to your situation, except for our lives being different. I was a student. I had to make up extra courses over the summer just to catch up and graduate with my class. I was in the psych ward for a month... it was the strangest experience of my life. You really do just have to take it day by day and take it easy. Allow people to help you. I found for me that after having that type of experience, it took me a really long time to adjust to life again. Everyday life troubles seemed to move so must faster and were really unimportant to me at that point, because of the concern I had for my mental health. I suppose our situations are different though because you have children and are eagar to heal.
All I know is that your body and mind go through a lot when you hit rock bottom with a nervous breakdown. Good luck to you with getting through it all.
Posted by fayeroe on June 8, 2004, at 21:41:49
In reply to Re: Out of the Looney Bin, posted by Possibility on June 8, 2004, at 21:01:40
You listen to that wonderful husband and those parents and take care of yourself. I think it is just so extraordinary that you have that level of caring in your life. xoxoxo
Posted by shadows721 on June 9, 2004, at 0:42:33
In reply to Out of the Looney Bin, posted by holymama on June 8, 2004, at 20:32:19
I feel it takes time to adjust. It sounds like you have a good support system in place. Your body maybe saying, "GO", but your mind maybe saying, "Not so fast." After all, you don't want to jump right into the environment that got overwhelming. You need to protect yourself right now.
Posted by holymama on June 9, 2004, at 12:33:04
In reply to Re: Out of the Looney Bin, posted by shadows721 on June 9, 2004, at 0:42:33
Yes, I am listening to their advice and resting. I wonder if the high level of mental illness in out country has to do with not resting enough in the first place. I think it is so interesting that I am so resistant to resting and healing, even after breaking down to the degree that I did and having to spend time in the hospital. I find that when I do rest now, I recognize the happiness I get out of it - lying in the sunshine, reading a book, peace and quiet with no children around. Those are little things I have forgotten how to do, forgotten the importance of. I think that I have been on the go every minute of every day for the last 6 years -- since I started having children. I'm starting to get a clue that that might be a big reason I got ill to begin with. Thank you all for your kindness and thoughts!! It's good to have a place to come that is supportive of my process and experience.
Posted by Poet on June 9, 2004, at 14:48:17
In reply to Out of the Looney Bin, posted by holymama on June 8, 2004, at 20:32:19
Hi Holymama,
I'm glad you decided to let your family help you heal.
I'm trying hard to stay out of the looney bin. I'm glad you survived your stay.
Take care.
Poet
Posted by holymama on June 9, 2004, at 15:45:01
In reply to Re: Out of the Looney Bin » holymama, posted by Poet on June 9, 2004, at 14:48:17
Hi Poet --
I hope you're doing allright in your own struggle to 'stay out of the looney bin', but I just wanted to say that my own experience in one was a good one, and I'm glad I went. I'm definitely better off than I would have been trying to fight this thing on my own, out of the hospital. I don't know what specific demons you're wrestling with, but I do know that 'mental hospitals' are not always horrible experiences.
Much love and peace to you. ~~Autumn~~
This is the end of the thread.
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