Triggering: Hospitalization?

[EllieNielsen]

Hey..

Well I have been feeling very suicidal and 'dangerous' for a few weeks now. I feel that I have no where to go to escape this. I have been self harming more often now and always want to do it. I just feel so lost and out of control.

Last night I was very close to drinking a household chemical because I read somewhere that it makes you lose weight. I hate my body. I hate everything about me. I decided to drink alcohol instead but I keep going upstairs and staring at the bottle and wondering if it could kill me.

I tried to commit suicide a month ago, well very poorly, more of just thinking strongly about it as I SH'd. I keep egging myself on to try again now that I know to try harder.

I know you can go to the ER for mental health reasons. I was just wondering what it would take to be admitted? What would happen if I did go? I'm just feeling so on edge and have no idea what to do. I don't know if the hospital will help or if I will just come home and still have these feelings. I'm afraid they will either lock me up or send me home and laugh. Or that they will see my scars and treat me like I'm crazy.

I'm also afraid and not sure how to ask my boyfriend to take me. My car is in for repairs right now and I'm completely relying on him to drive me to work etc. He tried to take me to ER before but then changed his mind, then I asked him to and he didn't..so I don't know if he will take me seriously this time or just tell me I'm overreacting..

Anyway I've rambled.. I'm not even sure what I'm asking.. Just kind of wondering if going to ER is a good idea or if I'm just being an idiot.. Thank you..

[xxprincessxx]

I think it would be a good idea especially since you realize what kind of place you are in and how you are feeling! It's really great that you would do this in order to prevent bad things from happening, that shows a truely remarkable strength.

As for what will happen, I'm going based on what happened to me, whenever I was suicidal and ended up having to go to the hospital: they'll probably ask you a bunch of questions about how you are feeling and what brought it on to decide if they feel as if you need to be admitted (either way they will not laugh at you or think you are crazy) If they feel that you should be admitted you'll have to go through an in-take session, which is just more questions and signing forms. Afterwards, depending on the time you'll start participating in the different group therapy sessions and other things that you have to go through in there. Overall, it's not a bad experience and it can be really helpful if you allow it to be.

It should help the suicidal ideation go down as long as you remain truthful to the nurses and doctors, i.e. if they ask you if you still feel suicidal and you do make sure you tell them that, so they know how to help. Also, they will set up plan for you to receive help after you have been discharged!

If your boyfriend refuses to take you, can you call somebody else? If not you could call the hospital and let them know or even call an emergency number who will send somebody to help you!

Hope this helps!
If you have anymore questions feel free to send me a PM!

[TheBabyEater]

I've been in the hospital for mental health reasons not too long ago, my boyfriend went a few times, and his dad even more. I would recommend looking up mental health hospitals instead of walking into an ER. A mental health hospital is much more qualified, and a much better place to stay. In an ER, you wouldn't really do much but sit on your ass all day, in a mental health place, you have activities, you are assigned a psychiatrist and therapist, and you work out a safety plan for your release. I go to Centerpointe here, a hospital made and designed for mental health and addiction patients. There is a regular hospital nearby though that has a mental health facility, St. Johns. Search it up some time before you walk in. Alternatively, walking in they should be able to direct you to a mental health place nearby as well.


As for what would happen in a regular old hospital? I don't know, I can't tell you that. But I KNOW they won't treat you like you're crazy, and probably won't sent you home or anything like that. If you go in there and say you're a threat to yourself, they have to admit you until they feel you're safe again, that's how it is here anyway. In a Mental Health facility, it doesn't take much to actually be admitted. They generally give you a 20 minute evaluation to set up a good treatment plan, and admit you right away, especially if you have visible cuts and say you're suicidal.

In a mental health facility, you basically have a lot of different group therapy, art, music, discussion, informative, active, pet, ext ext. I think it's really neat, and I wish we had more available therapies like that for outpatient groups. You'll temporarily live in a dorm type room with another person most likely, but beware; they'll probably check all of your things before you go in. So don't even try to take anything in that could be potentially harmful. My place even takes out your shoelaces and gives you scrubs to wear for the first 24 hours until you're safer. That being said, don't be scared, its actually a very safe and warm place. All the people there basically know what you're going through, especially if it caters to Mental Health instead of mostly Addiction patients. I actually made quite a few friends that I rely on now for support while I was in the facility.


Lastly, your boyfriend is an IDIOT if he thinks you're just overreacting. Your feelings and emotions are a serious problem at this point, and he needs to understand that. If he won't take you, call up someone else, or call the hospital for a ride. They'd be more than happy to help you out somehow.


Hang in there, I hope this works out for you.

[PSY]

The laws will vary depending on where you live... but generally, if you are immediately at risk for hurting yourself and/or others, you can be admitted to a hospital for psychiatric observation. Where I live, you can be held for up to 72 hours, then certain measures can be taken to keep you for longer if the staff feels it is necessary.

In general, the ER (or psychiatric unit) is just a temporary solution. You don't stay at a hospital for the entirety of your treatment. You may be referred to an in-patient/residential or out-patient facility, which may or may not be located at a hospital. You may be referred to a psychological professional who specializes in treating depression, and that person may or may not work at a hospital (ex. they could have an office somewhere in town).

So to sum things up: if you feel the immediate urge to hurt yourself, call 9-1-1 (or whatever the emergency number is for where you live), and you will be admitted. If you are looking for long-term assistance, visit your doctor and ask for a referral to a psychological professional. You can also look up psychological professionals through a variety of means. The phone book and internet aren't ideal, but if you are unable to see a doctor, those options are acceptable. If insurance is a problem, I would call community/non-profit clinics in your area.

If you have ANY questions whatsoever, feel free to message me or post in this thread so we can stay up-to-date on your situation. There is hope, and you have many options available to you, so don't give up! =)

[Dream]

Hey I'm sorry you're having such a hard time with this. I don't recommend going to the ER for mental health problems unless absolutely necessary. It is not a pleasant experience at all from what I hear, and it also will stay with you for the rest of your life. Like, it is heavily stigmatized by employers.

I think what they do is they lock you down for 72 hours until the episode is over and then they send you out. They don't really do much for you I think- maybe give you a tranquilizer or something. Certainly they don't have any long-term solutions.

[lauri]

I dont think its like on your personal record that you went into in patient. I went in to in pateient before by mistake they kept me a week.