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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on January 9, 2005, at 18:36:01
Have any of you Babblers had a positive experience by voluntarily going into a psych hospital to try to straighten out your meds? Does it matter what the pt population is, or will a "crazy" atmosphere make matters worse. Just curious. Phillipa
Posted by D minor on January 9, 2005, at 18:46:44
In reply to Hospitalization Med Changes, posted by Phillipa on January 9, 2005, at 18:36:01
Hi Phillipa, it's me again.
I've been to the psych ward 6 times over the course of one year. My hospitalizations lasted from three days to a month. Most of them were voluntary, all for suicidal ideation. Only once did I go for the purpose of getting my meds sorted out, and that time it didn't work for reasons which are too long to get into and probably don't apply to you. Usually hospitals focus on stabilizing patients. At worst they over medicate, but they can be very good for getting things straightend out. Reason being that the doctors can more closely observe you and change your dosages quickly.
The other patients and I all seemed to form a tight knit community. I think the wonderful people I met were the best part my experiences. Yes, they all had problems, but that's what we had in common. We were able to support each other. And of course there were those who I avoided as best I could, the ones who were a little too out there. But in general, the "crazy" population did not make matters worse for me.
Best of luck,
dm
Posted by Maxime on January 9, 2005, at 20:12:49
In reply to Re: Hospitalization Med Changes, posted by D minor on January 9, 2005, at 18:46:44
I have gone in before for a med change. It was helpful in that I was in a less stressful situation and so I could focus on getting better and I could talk to the doctor everyday. I enjoyed being with the other patients as well ... they are often very therapeutic.
I think it's a good idea to if your stress level is high from outside factors. You are removed from all of that and can just concentrate on yourself.
Max
Posted by thinkfast on January 10, 2005, at 5:46:34
In reply to Re: Hospitalization Med Changes, posted by Maxime on January 9, 2005, at 20:12:49
I actually felt more "sane" after my trip, and they throw the meds in your face pretty quick. My probs were pretty sever in my eyes, but some of the other people there were in far worse shape than I was. Gave another perspective on the whole thing. Thinking of going back soon :-)
Posted by CareBear04 on January 10, 2005, at 23:08:20
In reply to Hospitalization Med Changes, posted by Phillipa on January 9, 2005, at 18:36:01
hi phillipa,
i recently went voluntarily into the hospital because i was getting very suicidal, and i badly needed help sorting out my meds. i was on something like 15, and no outpatient dr could help me trim down the regimen. i'm sorry to say that the hospital didn't help. i know a lot of the result has to do with me. i'm diagnosed BP II, but in reality, i fit some criteria for almost evevrything in the DSM, and no one has ever really known what to make of me psychiatrically. bipolar has just been the diagnosis that encompasses the most symptoms, so it's my primary dx. i'm 22, recently graduated from university, and really aggressive when it comes to "pimping" doctors (not to disrespect them but just to make sure they know what they're doing!) i've been in a psych unit three times in the past two years, and it wasn't until this third time that someone actually put into words what i've sort of known all along: "they're trying to break your spirit!" i think it's true that you get the most out of the hospital if you are docile and submissive and, i guess, broken so that they can fix you as they see fit. even at my worst, i was still stubborn and too high-spirited, and not only did they not help me with my meds, they really dropped the ball on followthrough, violated confidentiality at every turn, and tried to stick every label possible, ranging from anorexia to munchausen's. i've seen dozens of doctors and many of the NY, boston, east-coast big name psychiatrists, not to mention my long-term pdocs who know me well, and none of the diagnoses have ever even been mentioned. the only thing the hospital did for me was give me a good kick in the *ss for my psyche, making me realize how much i can still help myself and what assets things like spirit and drive and stubborness-- qualities they passed off as pathological-- can be.
i hear there are also differences between psych units on the east and west coasts. my first two stays were in ny, which is supposedly much more psychodynamic, therapyish in nature. my second stay was on the west coast, and i was told before going in that it would be much more psychopharm and so a good place to go to get my meds fixed. the only difference i noticed was that the third hospital was much more medical in that i was on the unit with IVs and a foley, whereas in ny hospitals, you have to be medically cleared in order to be transferred. i don't know if this helps. feel free to ask more questions if you have any.
This is the end of the thread.
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