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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Penny on July 13, 2003, at 11:05:09
At what point should one decide that hospitalization is a good idea? I don't want to get to the point where I've attempted suicide, because I don't really WANT to die, but I want to feel better, or I want to feel nothing at all. Either one would be fine. I don't know, though, if going to the hospital would help me. I just don't know. I don't know what more they could do for me. Is it enough that they could remove the temptation of the pills, that maybe I would be able to re-evalutate my situation with some help. Would I even get that help???
I need help, folks. I really need someone to help me. And I don't know where to turn. My pdoc and therapist can only do so much. My friends are pretty much no help at all. But I don't know if the hospital is the answer...
P
Posted by a very little sphinx on July 13, 2003, at 12:09:33
In reply to hospital visit?, posted by Penny on July 13, 2003, at 11:05:09
let me tell you something, check yourself in, BEFORE they check you in... don't go in a a suicide attempt or they will Baker act you and let you go WHEN THEY see fit... if you are voluntary you can leave when you like...
if you are thinking of going in, go in, it will give you a bit of a vacation.... trust me, after a few days... you'll begin to enjoy the staid repetition...
Posted by lostsailor on July 13, 2003, at 12:42:35
In reply to hospital visit?, posted by Penny on July 13, 2003, at 11:05:09
Hi,
To me, it is really only a "good" yet not perfect place to prevent self-injury. It is not totally safe, though, as I am sure if one was really inclined, something could still happen.There is another argument that is a good place for evaluation which it could be, but locally (WNY) as the patient/staff (mind you staff, not social workers or nurses) is like 13/1 with one doc carrying about a 150 person caseload offering drive thru assistance and prescriptions. I don't think it's even that good for that. The only time I was ever admitted, I came out on totally different meds, went right to doc (which was in my release "contract") for him to put me back my regular meds with slight adjustments.
INMHO, you seem to know if you need it or not. I would call doc and give him the run down and take his recommendations. Lately, if I am just a bit hypo manic or even extra sad he has me stay home and call often as he knows I hate the hospital and this basically gets the same thing done without the drudgery of being an impatient. I think hospitals, with the tediousness, could in some cases, just make matters worse.
good luck either way ,
(((penny)))
~tony
Posted by Dinah on July 13, 2003, at 12:49:26
In reply to hospital visit?, posted by Penny on July 13, 2003, at 11:05:09
I think it's probably something you need to talk over with your pdoc, and your therapist if she's around already. If you feel like you aren't safe, it's probably best to go. But I can never figure out that call myself, so I understand your indecision.
Posted by lostsailor on July 13, 2003, at 12:53:56
In reply to Re: hospital visit? » Penny, posted by a very little sphinx on July 13, 2003, at 12:09:33
goodness,
so there you have it...3 totally different opinions fro the first three poster.I do agree with VLS, though, that when I really did need it it was sort of a vacation (think of the movie "the Breakfast club" ) and VLS is also totally correct about you going in vs them bringing you in.
may the gods bless you,
~tony
Posted by fallsfall on July 13, 2003, at 13:18:45
In reply to Re: hospital visit?--penny, posted by lostsailor on July 13, 2003, at 12:53:56
I have been in twice. I found both times really helpful. I think there are big differences, though, between good hospitals and bad hospitals.
A friend was miserably depressed/agoraphobic for 9 years. She finally had enough and made a (serious) attempt. She was in the regular hospital for 3 days or so and then the Psychiatric Hospital for 10 days. She came out of the hospital optimistic and energized. She is doing things I haven't seen her do (like volunteer) in the 8 years I've known her. It can be really helpful.
Do you know anyone who has been to a local hospital? I'm sure, also that your pdoc/therapist know which hospitals are the best.
Have you tried your therapist to see if she's around?
I have gone to the hospital when I have been scared that I was going to do something that I would later regret. I think that fear is what drove me there - and the safety and comfort of the staff and the schedule.
Best of luck
Posted by Penny on July 13, 2003, at 13:27:19
In reply to Re: hospital visit?--penny, posted by fallsfall on July 13, 2003, at 13:18:45
I live right here at UNC-CH, and my therapist said their psych dept had a good program as she put it. She said she has had other patients who had gone for a stay and it was helpful to them, and she came and visited them in the hospital. She told me to not feel bad if I felt like I needed to go - that it was okay. She told me this a few weeks ago. I've left a message for her today but I don't know if she's back or not or if she's checking her messages. Left a message for my pdoc too and I'll page him again in a little while if I don't hear back from him.
Apparently if I go tomorrow during the day and check myself in I don't have to go through the emergency room.
My mood is just fluctuating so much right now, and it can drop in a moment without notice. *Right now* I'm handling things, but that may change. I guess my fear is that I will plummet quickly and then do something stupid. I don't want to do that. But I don't know who can really help me. I just want some help...
Thanks.
P
Posted by kara lynne on July 13, 2003, at 13:57:03
In reply to Re: hospital visit?--penny, posted by Penny on July 13, 2003, at 13:27:19
Posted by whiterabbit on July 13, 2003, at 16:16:23
In reply to Re: hospital visit?--penny, posted by Penny on July 13, 2003, at 13:27:19
"I feel guilty" thread. Hope you consider going.
Best wishes-Gracie
Posted by Miller on July 13, 2003, at 16:34:55
In reply to hospital visit?, posted by Penny on July 13, 2003, at 11:05:09
If you feel like you are unsafe, then go. The main thing is that you are safe. The hospital will help you. They will teach you ways to cope, how to release intense emotions, and give good ideas on how to interact with your doctors to make the most of your visits. (Keep in mind, I received all of this from a private hospital. The County facility was NOTHING like this.)
Penny, we are all worried about you. even if you think that you could nose-dive into harmful impulses, please consider going to keep yourself safe.
We will all be here for you when you get back. We are all in this together. We know how you feel. We REALLY do.
Blessings, Penny.
-Miller
Posted by yesac on July 13, 2003, at 16:39:53
In reply to hospital visit?, posted by Penny on July 13, 2003, at 11:05:09
Yeah, I never really have known the point to decide if hospitalization would be good for me. I think my therapists were pretty convinced I needed it on numerous occasions, but I've never gone. I just couldn't bring myself to do it, even though looking back I really think that anyone would say I should have gone.
I also have had the thoughts that it wouldn't help me and would possibly even make things worse. But I think that there are some key components: it can keep you safe and get you away from your pills, and it can be a brief reprieve from dealing with your life. That's what my doctor emphasized. Not that it's some kind of great experience, but is just some "down-time" away from all of your stressors.
Just a thought - I myself have decided there's no way in hell I would go to UNC - but I do work in psychiatry and it would be a bit more risky personally. I've decided that if it ever comes down to me deciding to go, I'll go to Holly Hill. It's private, and a bit more "upscale", there are no residents I don't think.
But obviously, UNC is closer and if you need to get somewhere right away it would be the better option.
If you get this, and you want someone to go with you, or anything else, call me!
Posted by fallsfall on July 13, 2003, at 17:05:36
In reply to Re: hospital visit?, posted by yesac on July 13, 2003, at 16:39:53
Penny - If you really want to wait for tomorrow (going through the emergency room isn't so bad), is there someone who can keep you company? That way if you start going downhill someone will know and will be with you. You don't need to be alone. Please ask someone to help you. It's hard to make that call, but your friends would be honored to help you in such an important time. Maybe you should sleep at someone else's house tonight. Or they could sleep at yours. If you end up alone overnight, please take enough sleeping meds to keep you asleep. 3AM is not a pretty time.
Let your friends and the hospital help you.
Posted by Penny on July 13, 2003, at 17:25:17
In reply to Re: hospital visit?, posted by fallsfall on July 13, 2003, at 17:05:36
My roommate is home. Still waiting for my pdoc and/or my therapist to call me, but I haven't heard anything. Just woke up from a long nap, but I could go back to sleep. Of course, then I probably would be up in the middle of the night, but I usually am anyway, at least for a while.
I really wish my pdoc would call. I really appreciate all the input - obviously some of you had good experiences and others definitely didn't. Our hospital here is a public research hospital, where yesac works!, and I just don't know what I could expect. But my insurance wouldn't allow for me to go down the road to Duke, and my pdoc isn't very impressed with them anyway (he used to work there). He speaks more highly of UNC's psych dept.
I do want someone to just take over for a few days, but not someone like my family or friends - professionals. At the same time, I don't know how much input my pdoc would have, and I have a real problem with the other pdocs I've seen in the past. I dunno.
I'll keep you all posted. Thanks so much for being here.
Posted by Dinah on July 13, 2003, at 17:28:10
In reply to Re: hospital visit?, posted by fallsfall on July 13, 2003, at 17:05:36
I was thinking the same thing as Fallsfall. If you do want to wait for tomorrow, try not to be alone. I remember in my postpartum period, when I really didn't think I could stop myself from self injury, I would strap my son in his cuddly and walk and walk. Or go to the mall. Or do whatever I needed to avoid being alone until my husband came home. As much as I generally enjoy being alone, at times like these, being around others is a lot safer.
Posted by yesac on July 14, 2003, at 12:20:06
In reply to Re: hospital visit? - all, posted by Penny on July 13, 2003, at 17:25:17
Oh, I didn't realize that Duke isn't covered. I thought it was. Oh well, I wouldn't go there either - I've also heard some bad things about their psych ward, I don't remember specifically what, just along the lines of "Duke sucks".
Posted by Penny on July 14, 2003, at 12:32:48
In reply to Duke » Penny, posted by yesac on July 14, 2003, at 12:20:06
Yeah it SHOULD be, but apparently there was some problem in the negotiation of the contract between Duke and State Health.
My pdoc speaks most highly of Durham Regional's psych ward, above Duke and UNC, but Durham Reg. is under the Duke system, so it wouldn't qualify for us either, which sucks.
Anyway, I'll let you know what happens after I see my therapist this afternoon. I'm feeling a bit better now, so perhaps I can forego the hospital for the time being, but that can all change quickly, as we both know.
Thanks.
P
Posted by yesac on July 14, 2003, at 12:58:30
In reply to Re: Duke » yesac, posted by Penny on July 14, 2003, at 12:32:48
Is Durham Regional private?
Have you heard of Holly Hill? I had never heard of it until my last therapist mentioned it, and then I asked my doc about it and he seemed to think it was a good option, so I've decided that's where I'll probably go. I am pretty sure it's covered, at least it used to be before that contract issue. I don't think it's one of the ones that was eliminated. Also, I like that it is purely a psychiatric hospital - somehow that seems better to me.
They've pointed out to me that if I did actually make an attempt and then someone found me or whatever, I would have to go to UNC because it's closest. Another thing for me to consider.
Posted by judy1 on July 14, 2003, at 20:15:19
In reply to Re: Duke » Penny, posted by yesac on July 14, 2003, at 12:58:30
Private hospitals and going in voluntarily are much better alternatives than ERs and county hospitals (and police, paramedics and firemen who break doors down). I hope you do whatever you need in order to stay safe.
take care, judy
This is the end of the thread.
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