hospital
 

How do you know when you are feeling bad enough and unsafe enough to be hospitalized? And how would I go about checking myself into a psych ward? I mean, I've been in one before, but that was after a suicide attempt, so I didn't really have a choice then. I'm hoping that I won't let things get that bad this time.

Hey, I think it's really great that you are being proactive and want to get help before things get to crisis level. If you think that maybe it would help you to be hospitalized, I would trust that instinct and talk to someone who could help you make a decision-- about voluntary hospitalization or something like an intensive day program/partial hospital program-- I go there sometimes when I feel myself starting to slide, and they always tell me that it's better to err on the side of safety and more support. If you have a therapist s/he could help you decide what would be most helpful to you, whether it's hospitalization, a day program, or just more frequent therapy and check-ins. A therapist may or may not know about which local programs are best, but should be able to help you research. Sometimes you need a referral to a program, and then of course there's the insurance issue--but I think in most places you can't just show up. Although you could go to a hospital emergency ward and say you feel unsafe and they would do a psych evaluation and decide whether or not to keep you, but I would say that's not the best route unless you're in crisis. Better to do research and look around and choose the best option for you, and talk to the people who run the programs about what could help you most. Good luck, and again, I think it's really responsible and brave of you to address this now.

Do you have a psychologist/pshychatrist? If not, can you see your doctor? If you're talking about short term but immediate help then the best thing to do is get yourself down to A&E/ER [I think that's the American equilivant, although I'm not sure as I'm a Brit ;)].

If you don't have a psych, perhaps it'd be worth getting one? At the end of the day they'd help stop you getting to the stage where you need to go to hospital, and also they can arrange it for you/discuss the best plan of action for when you're not safe.

Are you thinking about going long term IP or just for a night or two?

Whatever you do, I hope it helps :)

Chelsea

I was thinking I'd go in for a few days, maybe like 3-5 depending on how long the staff determines I need to be in there.

I do have a psychiatrist but if I told him I am suicidal, he would probably just increase my medication by a little bit. He is not very aggressive with my treatment, for lack of a better word. I'm thinking about getting a new psych.

And yes, I guess I could go straight to the ER. I just don't know if I am doing badly enough for that- I keep changing my mind, and some nights are really bad and others aren't so bad. And anyway, I would definitely have to wait until after my sister's birthday on Thursday. I don't want to ruin that for her.

I agree with you that you need a new psych.
I didn't know I needed a new psych, then a year ago my old one cut back her hours to meds only. Before she cut me loose she made sure I was okay with the new psych. My new one has changed my meds and has me doing so much and is helping me so much.
Sorry, I don't know about going to the hospital. I'm claustraphobic and afraid of being trapped so it is the last place I'd want to go.

Thanks everyone. I don't think I am going to go now, I have been feeling a little better the past few days. But I will keep it in mind as an option.