![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 shellie on July 3, 2000, at 12:47:40
I thought about this after reading Noa's experience in the hospital. I have had one awful experience in the hospital (age 24) and a really good experience (age 36).
Actually, I was in the second hospital once for five weeks and several years later, two planned hospializations there surrounding meds for one week each.I know what I am going to say may sound really strange. But because hospitals differ so much in what they offer, I think it is important, even if you think you won't end up in the hospital, to research hospitals just in case.
(I don't know if you are in an HMO if you have a choice). I don't plan on going to the hospital,(have not been there for four years), but I always know what hospital I would choose, if the need arises. You can still, in an emergency, go to any hospital ER, but then ask to be transfered, if you (or they) decide hospitalization is necessary.In regard to hospitals, I have been lucky (I can't believe I just wrote that) to have a dissociative disorder along with my depression. Some of the best programs in the country are specifically for dissociative disorder, and they really stress adjunctive therapy (art, writing, etc.). I also saw both a psychiatric every day (for about 15 minutes) and a psychologist three times a week for a regular 50 minute session, so it was really a therapeutic experience for me.
Anyway, my point is that instead of passively ending up in a hospital that might offer nothing, you might consider looking into the hospitals in your area (or even outside your area) to have the info if the need ever arises. (Hope it won't)
shellie
Posted by noa on July 3, 2000, at 13:54:24
In reply to psychiatric hospitals, posted by shellie on July 3, 2000, at 12:47:40
Shellie, I think this is a good idea, and it has vaguely occurred to me before. I also don't intend to be hospitalized again and would like to think I never will need to be. But, I agree with you that knowing what the choices are and what each is offering is a good idea. It just seems like an awkward thing to go about doing, though, doesn't it?
Posted by shellie on July 3, 2000, at 17:26:44
In reply to Re: psychiatric hospitals, posted by noa on July 3, 2000, at 13:54:24
> Shellie, I think this is a good idea, and it has vaguely occurred to me before. I also don't intend to be hospitalized again and would like to think I never will need to be. But, I agree with you that knowing what the choices are and what each is offering is a good idea. It just seems like an awkward thing to go about doing, though, doesn't it?
Noa, In January my MAOI stopped working well, so I guess I came close enough to think about it. I pretty much, by this time, know all the hospitals in my area. But, it IS sort of odd to check out hospitals. Several years ago when I went through the process, everyone I talked to wanted to set up an interview for admission, even though I was clear that I just wanted information. Also one hospital near me (Sheppard & Pratt--where Zelda Fitzgerald was many moons ago) has a good dissociative disorders unit, but they also always have a waiting list, I guess because people come from all over the country--so it is good for me to know that. Their short term evaluation unit where I spend one month in my twenties, was the worst experience I ever had. It was like I was already in hell and signed in and hell was even deeper. It took me many many years until I would consider going into a hospital again. shellie
Posted by Craig on July 4, 2000, at 2:19:37
In reply to Re: psychiatric hospitals » noa, posted by shellie on July 3, 2000, at 17:26:44
In reply to Re: Hospital Q's - scared don't know what to expect, posted by shellie on June 5, 2000,
at 22:11:40Just out of curiosity, which dissociative disorders program were you in? I was in the
dissociative disorders unit at Rush in Chicago and was treated by Dr. Bennett Braun.
To me, it was like boot camp, so I'm wondering where you were that the experience
was very good.
*****************************
> I've been in two different hospitals, and the difference was amazing. In one, (when I
was 24), my hospital experience was horrible. Years later, (34 or so) I went to a
special program in dissociative disorders and it was a very very good experience.
__________________________________________________
Also one hospital near me (Sheppard & Pratt--where Zelda Fitzgerald was many moons ago) has a good dissociative disorders unit, but they also always have a waiting list, I guess because people come from all over the country--so it is good for me to know that. Their short term evaluation unit where I spend one month in my twenties, was the worst experience I ever had. It was like I was already in hell and signed in and hell was even deeper. It took me many many years until I would consider going into a hospital again. shellie
Posted by shellie on July 4, 2000, at 9:05:23
In reply to Re: psychiatric hospitals, posted by Craig on July 4, 2000, at 2:19:37
Craig. I was in the dissociative unit at psychiatric institute in Washington D.C. Psychiatric Institute had a terrible reputation, but the unit was mostly independent. It is run by Dr. Joan Turkus, Chris Courtois, PhD, and Barry Cohen. Courtois has written several books on sexual abuse and has just finished one (I think not out yet) on dissociation. Barry has published seveal books with sidron on art and art therapy, related to dissociation. Also, a book, called something like from the inside out, on DID. I think both Turkus and Courtois were really great. The unit was split in half and they each led one therapy group x2 a week.
The first time I was there, it was the best. They had psychodrama x2 weekly, art x3, music, poetry, movement and writing--all different specialists coming in. I didn't like my meds doc, but I had a great therapist (who I had heard about and requested).
Since then, PI has been sold, and they've really cut funds for the dissociative unit. So they were stressing containment much more, and cut out psychodrama, and some other specialties, and Chris and Joan are were no longer leading group therapy. Still, for my two one week stays there, it was very comfortable for me; and that's all I was really looking for. (I was there because I bottomed out on med changes). I chose not to go to many of the groups, because I found them too simplistic and irritating this time. (I was really spoiled by my first stay).
The other programs I've heard about are at U of Pennsylvania (I think Kluft) and McLean outside of Boston (Dr. James Chu). I've read some of Braun's writings. I can't remember, is he the guy who writes about the BASK model? Shellie
Posted by Craig on July 5, 2000, at 2:53:14
In reply to Re: psychiatric hospitals » Craig, posted by shellie on July 4, 2000, at 9:05:23
Hi Shellie. Yup, Braun wrote the BASK model. I flew out-of-state so he would be my doctor and was in-patient for six weeks, until my insurance ran out --and thank God that it did. The experience was so intense that it's still hard to describe twelve years later. I was pretty shattered at the time and I still don't know how I got through it. Dr. Braun was confident that he'd re-admit me later on, but I was so terrified of him that I knew I'd never return. He knew too much and I couldn't handle it. If you could share some of your experiences with doctors and hospitals that treated you, I would be very interested to hear them. It isn't often that I get to converse with anyone else that dissociates.
> Craig. I was in the dissociative unit at psychiatric institute in Washington D.C. Psychiatric Institute had a terrible reputation, but the unit was mostly independent. It is run by Dr. Joan Turkus, Chris Courtois, PhD, and Barry Cohen. Courtois has written several books on sexual abuse and has just finished one (I think not out yet) on dissociation. Barry has published seveal books with sidron on art and art therapy, related to dissociation. Also, a book, called something like from the inside out, on DID. I think both Turkus and Courtois were really great. The unit was split in half and they each led one therapy group x2 a week.
>
> The first time I was there, it was the best. They had psychodrama x2 weekly, art x3, music, poetry, movement and writing--all different specialists coming in. I didn't like my meds doc, but I had a great therapist (who I had heard about and requested).
>
> Since then, PI has been sold, and they've really cut funds for the dissociative unit. So they were stressing containment much more, and cut out psychodrama, and some other specialties, and Chris and Joan are were no longer leading group therapy. Still, for my two one week stays there, it was very comfortable for me; and that's all I was really looking for. (I was there because I bottomed out on med changes). I chose not to go to many of the groups, because I found them too simplistic and irritating this time. (I was really spoiled by my first stay).
>
> The other programs I've heard about are at U of Pennsylvania (I think Kluft) and McLean outside of Boston (Dr. James Chu). I've read some of Braun's writings. I can't remember, is he the guy who writes about the BASK model? Shellie
Posted by shellie on July 5, 2000, at 18:17:41
In reply to Re: psychiatric hospitals » shellie, posted by Craig on July 5, 2000, at 2:53:14
> Hi Shellie. Yup, Braun wrote the BASK model. I flew out-of-state so he would be my doctor and was in-patient for six weeks, until my insurance ran out --and thank God that it did. The experience was so intense that it's still hard to describe twelve years later. I was pretty shattered at the time and I still don't know how I got through it. Dr. Braun was confident that he'd re-admit me later on, but I was so terrified of him that I knew I'd never return. He knew too much and I couldn't handle it. If you could share some of your experiences with doctors and hospitals that treated you, I would be very interested to hear them. It isn't often that I get to converse with anyone else that dissociates.
>
Hi Craig. I don't really have much more to tell you. I had a consultation with Dr. Joan Turkus, after I felt that I was going no where after a long time in therapy with different therapists (none specialists in dissociative disorder) At that time, it was very useful to me--we talked about the use of hypnosis in therapy and also the task of grieving about what was taken from me. It's hard to believe, but grieving had never come up before in therapy, and I had to ask, what she really meant. It is only years later that I am finally able to do some of that work.The only hospital I've been in (besides my one month of hell at Sheppard Pratt was PI). The first visit (5 weeks) was very positive for me, and it was very hard to leave. It was sort of like therapy/camp. My therapist there is now my outpatient therapist, although that didn't happen until over two years later.
She uses hypnosis and EMDR. EMDR hasn't proved that helpful to me. I know it's helpful for a lot of survivors, especially with memory issues. She works a lot cognitively--helping me to make my life easier. Like letting little things go, and also thinking about possible consequences before I say or do something, so I can decide if the results will be worth it to me. She focuses less on the dissociation than my therapist before her, and I've gone back and forth on my feelings about that.
I was in a support group provided by the hospital for free for dissociative disorders, and also spent a few months going three morning a week to PI's outpatient program on dissociative disorders. This was all several years ago. Then I felt I had enough--I got tired of being around all the histrionics and also tired of looking at myself as different.
My friend (DID) had Richard Lowenstein at Sheppard Pratt Hospital, said he was very knowledgeable but also thought he knew everything. If I ever go for another major consultation I think I would go to Boston to see James Chu; he is supposedly very smart and very kind and gentle. He's at McLean. I say major, because I also feel that if something comes up about my therapy, where I felt confused or stuck, I would probably choose to see Joan Turkus about it, since she is local and she already knows me and my therapist.
Anyway, luckily I haven't been in many hospitals, and really don't plan to be. A lot of my history is still totally blocked off from me, so I can't know what's going to happen in the future, if it becomes assessible.
I'm sorry Braun was so scary to you. It seems like perhaps he did not understand the importance of unfolding--like he just zapped you. Maybe he did that because you had time constraints, I don't know.
shellie
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.