When Should A Person Go To The Hospital?

[Jade-]

How do you know when it's time to admit yourself into the hospital? It sounds like a simple question that I should know the answer to, but I don't.

Should a person wait until they're totally a basket case or go to prevent being one?




BTW,I'm feeling very overwhelmed with flashbacks and with life in general right now. I'm not suicidal or anything, just overwhelmed.

 

[zoe]

Jadebear
I guess I would ask myself if being in the hospital would actually help. My experience is that you really won't get individual attention - most tend to just want to drug you and then set you up to see someone. They actually may not even admit you if you are not suicidal.

I don't know you, but if it were me I would call someone to talk with or do something to distract myself (hopefully not in a detrimental way). Usually PTSD makes one feel like more of a basket case than they really are!

Take care,

Zoe

 

[catjudo]

Unless you've found a specific program that you've made contact with and arranged for specific treatment ahead of time, most hospitals will only admit or keep you if you are a danger to yourself or others. That is to say you are suicidal and feel that you will act on it.

 

[Jade-]

Thanks for the replies. It sucks that a person has to wait until they're suicidal to be admitted.

 

[kers]

As I understand it, hospitalization is seen as a last resort, at least in the States. It is a temporary, stop-gap measure to stabilize someone when they are in grave danger, completely out of control. Generally, after admission, you will be medicated, stabilize, and released as soon as possible, not least because insurance coverage is extremely difficult to get and limited when it is obtained. My caveat is that this is just what I have inferred from reading about hospitalization, I've not gone through the process myself.

Now, there is a difference between hospitalization and residential treatment, in which you are admitted to a trauma unit for intensive treatment. The requirements for that kind of program, or a partial hospitalization program, are different. I know folks here have been treated in such settings, so if you are concerned about yourself, that might be one option.

How often do you see your treatment provider right now? Can you ask to increase the session frequency while you are tackling this difficult phase?

 

[AdamAnt]

Unless you've found a specific program that you've made contact with and arranged for specific treatment ahead of time, most hospitals will only admit or keep you if you are a danger to yourself or others. That is to say you are suicidal and feel that you will act on it.

Jadebear, What I'm reading here is that you can go to the same place you would want to be admitted when you feel overwhelmed and set things up so that they already have your history and if you show up they will admit you even if you are not suicidal?

With the long term nature of PTSD, it seems to me that putting this in place while riding an emotional peak might benefit you when that inevidable valley presents itself?

Sorry you're having a hard time, but I'm very glad you're here...seeking answers and asking all the right questions that will help all those that come after you are clear of the PTSD cloud and regaining all those parts of your life you miss. Bless you.

 

[catjudo]

No, that wasn't what I meant. Sorry it wasn't very clear. Kers did a much better job of explaining what I was attempting to explain.

Most places are not set up to arrange admission for people unless they are suicidal. What I was referring to was what Kers called a residential treatment program. There are some places that specialize in trauma treatment and if you meet their requirements you can arrange for admission without being in a crisis. In my experience, these types of places can be difficult to find and are not readily available to everyone. I think partial hospitalization programs (also sometimes called intensive outpatient programs) are more common, but not every psych unit/hospital has them.

Kers description of a typical psych inpatient admission is pretty accurate: stabilize and release. One would definitely want to explore all other options as it really is meant as a last resort measure. Most places, especially if reliant on insurance for payment, will not admit if the person is not suicidal.

 

[Jade-]

Thanks for the explanations. I talked to my T and he said hospitalization is an option If I feel I need to. He said all they would basically do is drug me and send me home. I don't have to be suicidal, just in need of help. I'm sure drugs would help me, but only temporarily.

 

[Iam]

At least you know that you have that option. Are you on meds now? If so maybe you need to be reevalutated and the prescription changed or increased for the time being. You are going thru so much right now and adding to that working on your PTSD. I just can't imagine how difficult that must be. (((HUGS)))

 

[Tinyflame]

Just curious Jadebear: you say earlier it's a "pity" that you can't be hospitalized before it gets to the point of being suicidal. What exactly gives you the confidence or feeling that such an experience would be beneficial in your coping/ healing?

I don't mean it sarcastically; I mean- seriously. What do you feel or think they could/ would provide for you that is beneficial, and perhaps you can attain that elsewhere.

 

[emmat]

Jadebear, have you thought about what it is you want from the hospital if you are not feeling suicidal?

It sounds a bit like it maybe that you want an escape from day to day life - even if it's only a temporary one either by being admited to someone elses care or through the release of medication. It's understandable, you sound like you are going through a very tough time time right now. I often find myself fantasing about how much easier it would be if I was being treated as an inpatient. I'd be the focus of attention, I'd not have to worry about others, I'd not feel guilty my loved ones have to care for me, I could just be.

The thing I realised is that escape is temporary. The troubles will still be there when I leave. Even if some of them have gone when I leave, me having hidden in hospital won't have taught me how to deal with them better when they next come up.

Can you find away of talking to your therapist and arranging some practical help and support on a day to day basis - be it time off work, an advisor/advocate to help with some of the things that are putting additional pressure on you or even some form of social care (sorry I only really know what services they offer in the UK)?

I just want to add that I'm very sorry if I've read things incorrectly and that isn't the case.

 

[Jade-]

I had thought about admitting myself so that I didn't become suicidal. I was hoping maybe something could be done to prevent me from feeling that way again. I could feel it creeping back up and was having bad thoughts.

Maybe part of it was to just escape day to day life too. I feel too overwhelmed with everything that's been going on. It would be nice to have someone take care of me for a change.