Discharge From Inpatient-How Did You Adjust?

[clare]

Hi,

It's been a tough week. My son's been in an inpatient MH hospital for children (he's 10) for over a week. He's scheduled to be released to a partial program on Friday. I remember coming home from the MH hospital when I was young and I felt very uncomfortable being at home, but I can't remember any specifics. I wonder if anyone here would like to relate their experiences?

How did you feel after being discharged?

Did you feel you had a good understanding of your diagnosis?

What if anything do you wish you had asked for/about before leaving the hospital?

Did you go right home?

How did your family/friends react to your discharge?

Were you optimistic or disappointed?


Thanks in advance,

clare

 

[SunnyBrookFarm]

Claire -

I asked my daughter how she felt when she was released:

1. She was tired, and just wanted to go straight home.
2. Even though she wanted to be home, it seemed strange and out of place once she got there - it took her a few days to adjust (which is one reason why partial/day hospital is such a great stepdown).

Remember, everyone handles it differently, and your dealing with a 10 yr old son, where as I was dealing with an 18 yr old daughter, I would just try to keep things at home as calm and routine as possible until he adjusts a bit better.

Oh I will tell you though - I was very guilty of constantly asking her if she was ok, was she feeling ok, etc. -- She admitted it was like poking at her :poke: - when really I was just freaked out, I don't know what the happy medium is - but wanted to give you a heads up.

Good luck and I'll be thinking of you.

 

[2quilt]

I have never been inpatient, but I can tell you how I have felt before while very sad and being watched by an anxious husband.
I would advise you to just listen for anything he wants to tell you, be available but not demanding that he tell you everything at first, make his fav meals, and keep the house routine as close to what it was before the crisis.
If he doesn't want physical contact, dont force it. Let him come to you and then reassure him that he did nothing wrong; his feelings are all his, they are real and valid, and they belong to him.
Get advice on your crisis from library books, online newsletters, his doctors, your doctors, and get phone numbers of people you can call for help at all hours.

If he is returning to school and has to face kids his age and their questions about where he has been, talk about that scenario before he goes back and decide what information he will divulge and what information he will withhold, even under pressure.
This is a perfect time to teach him about private information and who to trust and who not to trust.

This crisis will very well shape how he cares for his own mental health all through his life, so it's important that he feels safe and in control over what happens to him by the adults around him. He needs to have input as to what happens to him.
Ask for his oppinion. Talk about the options. Get him to help decide his fate.

You yourself may remember what it was like to come home, face people's questions about the time you were missing, and to get back into your old routine. What helped you or what do you wish had been different?

Ten year olds still think that the world revolves around them; they dont yet have the ability for abstract thought, so make sure he understands that he did nothing wrong, the inpatient time was not a prison or a punishment. It was not hell's version of time out. It was to help him.

Many people have various problems in life, and the strong ones ask for help when they need it. Life is very hard to handle without help and guidance from others. It's no shame or sign of weakness to ask for help and receive it when you have a crisis.

Keep posting here and let us know how it goes.

 

[clare]

thanks guys,

Your responses helped alot. Things are going fairly well. My son's now in an IOP at the same hospital. I have a sort of split self after all of this. I didn't want to do a trauma diary but my son's suicide attempt is bringing my stuff back and it's intense. He's also asking, for the first time, how I got all those scars and I'm uncomfortable lying about it now. Next stop, exposure therapy! (Yikes)

Thanks again!

clare