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
poster:shellie
thread:39156
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000630/msgs/39156.html