Crisis Stabilization Unit

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I landed in the ER again yesterday after a major panic attack at school that just snowballed out of control. I ended up cutting. Has anyone every been to a crisis stabilization unit? The way it's been described to me is it's a house where there are mental health workers and people with mental health issues. It can be a maximum of 7 days, but I am looking into it for just the weekend because of my need to work. I was just wondering if anyone has ever been to anyone and found it useful?

 

[desiderata310]

Everyone's experience is different. Mine was traumatizing which is why I am fighting 'inpatient' at the moment.

My experience is that you will be there longer than the weekend. The min hold is 72 hours and it's 2 business days.
Plan on being there for over a week.

 

[Recovery4Me]

You are such a beautiful soul. I am sorry that you are in such pain that you need to hurt yourself for release. :hug::hug: I will listen and be present if you desire to share...

 

[Deleted member 19804]

I have no experience with this but just want to say I'm sorry you're suffering and I hope you'll feel better soon. :hug:

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

@desiderata310 - it's not an in-patient at a hospital. It is different and the woman I spoke to from the organization that runs it said I could leave on Sunday if I can create a safety plan and feel safer by then. It's meant to stabilize you and then release you. It also seemed voluntary when you wanted to leave.

Thank you @Recovery4Me and @Snowwhite for your kind words. I just want to feel better, but I don't know how to do that so I am pretty much willing to try anything that might help and balance that with school and family. I just want to make it through the end of the school year. Yesterday's panic seemed to come out of no where and then built from there. That hasn't happened for awhile. I've gotten pretty good at recognizing triggers even if it is after the fact.

 

[Bookoffee]

I have. They will have small groups for group talk therapy, clinicians that will teach DBT. After dinner there is a visit time. Not much different then being in the hospital, it is really a step down from the hospital to help prepare you back into your regular routine

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

Thanks, @Bookoffee - that's helpful information.

 

[Recovery4Me]

I have read so many of your post on this board...all of them supportive. I can tell you are a awesome teacher and that requires so much of us to love others fully with their interest in view.

Groups as @Bookoffee offers are a safe place. A day of pampering is a safe place to begin. A goal set might be to fill the need set and have patience on the instantaneous relief. Remember how our students' wanted to just automatically know a subject...we would lay a careful plan on how they could do so. Perhaps that is what may be needed here. Lay out a plan for self care and then the positive interest, some joy and happiness will whisper in...

:hug::hug:

 

[Bookoffee]

Good luck to you @JEKBreatheandBelieve .I hope you will learn a new coping skill.

I have been reading 'This is How' by Augusten Burroughs (author of Running with Scissor). I am finding this book to be helpful. It is an easy read with great sense of humor.

Here is a link to Google Books where you can read the first 80 pages:

https://books.google.com/books?id=I...d=0CB4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=This is how&f=false

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

Thanks @Bookoffee - I love book recommendations. I have read Running with Scissors so I'll add this one to my list. I just finished "Letters to my Daughter" by Maya Angelou today.

 

[Neverthesame]

@desiderata310 Is speaking from a great deal of wisdom.

In Canada and the US. If you are admitted (any place that requires you to provide proof of your ability to be safe around yourself and others, in order to be released on your own recognizance, you have been admitted to) then the only way you can legally leave, is to be assessed by a qualified and licensed practitioner. Most of whom do not work weekends at inpatient facilities.

The reason they say you could be out Sunday? Simple, you never know, the doctor might have an argument with the missus, and decide work is a better place to be than home. You might get out Sunday. Though probably not until afternoon Monday.

The specific reason these kinds of programmes pull this shit? I really don't know. Probably a mix of jaded apathy towards the mentally ill with the fact that if most people knew how much like jail the place was going to feel. Nobody would voluntarily commit themselves.

As awful as all that sounds. People do find these places helpful. Either because it really offers the care they need, or scares them sane. You may find it helpful, but. desiderata is likely very correct. Expect to be there longer than advertised.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I just got back. The place I went to was voluntary and I could leave at any time, but I did leave against medical advice, but seriously I couldn't have stayed there any longer without getting more anxious. I explained that to the crisis worker and she agreed with me and not the psychiatrist who said I should wait until tomorrow. I have a huge right and wrong issue so this is a huge accomplishment for me- trusting that I knew what was best for me and being able to go against what was advised by someone who didn't know me. My first day there was a very nice break from my life. But today I knew that's not the kind of break I need, especially not being 1.5 hours from home!