Posted by Racer on November 6, 2008, at 22:20:56
In reply to Re: Psych Hospitalizations Agree or Diagree? » Phillipa, posted by yxibow on November 4, 2008, at 1:14:55
While much of what you've written is spot on, I do think there are many more situations in which the hospital is the best place for someone, and longer stays are more beneficial.
I don't have the energy right now to go into all my thoughts on this, but essentially:
1. Many times, removal from a stressful environment will be therapeutic. And sometimes (often?) the family dynamics are the cause of much stress. In that case, hospitals can provide a safe place to be, while easing some of that.
2. In Anorexia Nervosa, recovery rates were far, far better in the late 1970s -- back when hospitalization and residential treatment in specialized facilities were the rule, stays in these facilities were far longer than they are now, and (perhaps most importantly) discharge weights were proportionately higher. Again -- partly removal from the stressful environment, but also a stronger base of recovery, more practice tolerating both eating and weight gain, etc. And much of the most helpful treatment for AN kinda requires residential -- too painful O/P, for one thing -- and the presence of others who really and truly do empathize with you, because they're in the same facility, for the same reason.
And no, I've never had residential treatment, although it was recommended quite strongly. My insurance company said I should be fine OP -- despite the fact that the program they recommended to me wouldn't take me, because my weight was too low...
For many, though, you're right -- hospitals are not great places to be.
poster:Racer
thread:860689
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081106/msgs/861228.html