In-patient Program

[JulieS911]

I live in the Uk and suffer from CPTSD. I'm going through a really bad time again and my mental health team and trauma therapist think that I need a referral to an in-patient program.
This really scares me as my only experience of in-patient care was not good but it was on a general psychiatric ward. I found the whole experience scary and triggering.
I'm not sure where they are thinking of sending me or even when but I do know that something has to change and I can't keep on the path I'm on or I won't be alive by Christmas.
I have nightmares and flashbacks most nights and end up with wet beds. I scrub myself clean in the shower and curl up on the bathroom floor. I often disassociate and hurt myself. This week so far I have had stitches in both my wrists.
I am a teacher and work full time and feel a bit overwhelmed at the thought of being away from work. I hate letting people down.
Does anyone have experience of in-patient care in the UK? What do you think I would gain from it?

 

[Mammo]

Hello,

I'm so sorry you're going through such a rough time. I can relate.

Is your T proposing a specialised trauma place, or a general inpatient ward? If it's the former, then maybe that could have some merit (assuming this is done on a voluntary basis).

If he's proposing a general inpatient ward, if I were in your situation, I'd want to understand:
- What does *he* think you'll get out of it, or rather, is it more about mitigating the risk of self harm escalating, and essentially putting you in the hospital to "watch" you?
- Private or NHS? I've been involuntary inpatient in a NY city hospital and was a distressing experience for me. However, I know of others who have found a stay in hospital to "take some time out of the world, and have a rest" very helpful. My experience was that there was no "therapy" provided (unless anyone seriously thinks teaching 'stress management by colouring in' is actually helpful); it was about monitoring and enforcing medication compliance. Staff didn't spend any time with patients. So would your T be planning to visit you?

I don't know your circumstances, he can't be that concerned about "imminent harm" otherwise you'd be in hospital already! If he's concerned that you may be on your own/isolated and a risk of self-harm, could an alternative be to stay with someone else (family/friends) and perhaps see your T more frequently during this period?

What would you want to get out of it?? What would actually make you feel better in this situation?