Posted by Ignatz on September 6, 2001, at 22:39:26
In reply to Re: How does hospitalization work, posted by Storm on September 6, 2001, at 19:06:06
Adamie,
Hospitalization helped me a lot. I've been in two different hospitals, both in the US. The first was just in a little town halfway across the country from my home. I had gone to my parents' for a few weeks and they can be pretty verbally abusive. I left there, horribly depressed, to drive to another state for a conference for my work. 8 hours of driving later, feeling suicidal and panicky, I found a hospital and asked them to admit me. They were warm and kind; it was such a relief to be with others who understood how I was feeling. I didn't do ECT-- they added a mood stablizer (Depakote) to the antidepressant I take, cranked its dose, and gave me tranquilizers. I was out in 4 days- I didn't feel too good for a while, but I felt a hell of a lot better.
The other 2 times have been 2 day visits in my hometown hospital-- again, they've been kind and helpful.
I don't know if they can force meds on you. I know, though, that when I've been feeling as bad as you do, I'd try pretty much anything the docs gave me if it might work. I have always had competent doctors who seemed to know what they were doing and had my best interests at heart. And ECT's effects can wear off soon, I hear-- meds seem more lasting.
So, go.
poster:Ignatz
thread:77840
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010902/msgs/78110.html