Being probably one of the few here who has been in a Clinic, maybe this might help. Allthough being a Brit in Germany and going to a German Clinic for treatment maybe worlds away from what the US has to offer. But then again it shouldn`t be.
I had 3 runs at clinics before I actualy stayed and got help. Those 3 times it was allways "What a bunch of f*cking idiots" and the thought of "I realy don`t have a problem"
The last time I was in a Clinic, was more or less not of my own accord, I was there and free to come a go as I wished, but had I have said f*ck it and left, they would have called the police and I would then have been at the invitation of the state.
Then clinic had a Secure ward, like you say, no shoelaces belte etc. It also had an Addiction ward, for all the drug takers and Alcs, but it also had 2 other wards for treating various Mental health problems. 1 for the Heavily Medicated Phycosis stuff and one for Burn out, Borderline and PTSD amongst other things.
I spent allmost 9 months in total in clinic, and if I hadn`t I wouldn`t be here to day. That is a sad thing to say but none the less the truth.
It was while in the clinic that I was helped with getting incontact with my Feelings again, A big help in dealing with not only Trauma but also in helping cope with life on a daily basis. It also got me "Off" my meds.
Yes "Off". a good Doc, knows what you need and will be looking and altering accordingly, I have been med free for the last 3 years or so.
Yes I have my ups and downs, they will allways be there, but having the tools (the clinic gave me) to deal with those ups and downs is a blessing.
But like I said, I needed 3 attempts, all the time mouthing off and being a wanker. I was however the only Combat PTSD patient, I was actualy the only ex Military patient come to think of it, and listening to civvies complain about how the "Postman doesn`t push the letters through the letterbox fully, and they get wet when it rains" is f*cking hard to say the least. (that was honest to god, a group session and the guy was having a bad day and that was his major issue) Many times I wanted to smack some f*cktard, I even got put on the secure ward, after I nearly threw a Firefighter out of the second floor window for being ponce and for nothing more than being in the wrong place at the wrong time and pissing me off.
It was hard work, and you have to work at it. Even afterwards, it doesn`tstop there.
Not eveybody will be helped by it, some people need more than just that, not every body will take something away and move on with their lives. But not trying stops you having the right to bitch about it.
Imho, if the option is their, take it. If it helps F*cking A, if it doesn`t, find another one and try again.
Out here in Germany, turning stuff down a couple of times does make it harder to get what you need, when you are ready for it. I dare say the US is no different. If you ask officialy "no it doesn`t and never will"
Bollox, of course it does, why should they make the effort and offer it if you are not going to take it. Sooner or later you will want it, and they will make you wait. And that is a sad Fact.
Like some have mentioned, everybody reacts differently.
Try it, but remember, if it doesn`t work, the reason 90% of the time is you are not in the right frame of mind to need or accept the help on offer.
Tuppence
