21 Day Hospital Evaluation

tankertoy · #1 16-12-2007, 10:56 AM

well i am finally going to be going into the hospital on monday after much debate.. my family, friends, and my va rep really think that it will be a good thing for me and i think i have decided to go.... i am supposed to be there for 21 days and they said that it should do me some good.... i am really worried about it though cuz i really dont know much about it and i dont know if i am going to be unable to contact anyone or what...... has anyone here ever gone into a the hospital for an extended evaluation and ptsd program..... if so could you share some of your experiences and whether it really did any good.... im worried that it is just going to cause me to become more angry because i really dont do well with the doctors.. i just dont really feel that they are there to help me i dont think that they care... they just want to drug me up and push me away it seems to me...........and i dont want this to be like that too.......
carlos

She Cat · #2 16-12-2007, 11:14 AM

HI Tank,

Going into the hospital may be a scary thought, but it really isn't all that bad. A little boring at times, but if it's for treatment of PTSD it should help. They will most likely try and do group therapy, one on one, med evaluation, trying to teach you coping skills, start you on some kind of daily activity to keep you busy. Tons of therapy, and mostly not to much time alone so you can think too much. At least that's how it was when I was in.

All in all it should help. I wish you well.

tankertoy · #3 16-12-2007, 11:22 AM

cat,
thank you for your input that is comforting.... they had mentioned the group therapy to me before but my social worker said that they dont feel that i am ready for that... how uncomfortable is group... is it hard to fall into the group or do you just kinda come together cuz of the common goal... im afraid of that cuz i get really really uncomfortable around new people and dont like to feel like an outsider.... more than usual anyway... and that kinda triggers my intrusive thoughts and anger..
carlos

veiled · #4 16-12-2007, 11:54 AM

Good luck, from what I have seen here those who go in for an extended stay have not had a bad time and it has been very helpful. Like just said being boring seems to be the worst overall for that long.

batgirl · #5 16-12-2007, 12:26 PM

I hope it goes well, I have been in hospital several times and it has been pretty much a positive experience for me. It is somewhat boring, but you will likely have access to a TV, phone, and some forms of recreation. You'll likely have therapy, psychological testing (especially since its an evaluation), and time to reflect. And if they are testing out meds on you will probably feel groggy and sleep a lot.

Linda · #6 16-12-2007, 12:46 PM

Hi Tankertoy,
I hope the hospital stay will bring some positive things and improvements for you. I hate hospitals myself, but many times it is necessary. So good luck and take care!
Linda

2quilt · #7 17-12-2007, 01:18 AM

Please do the best that you can while in the hospital and let us know how you did when you return to us! I am a 100% SC Desert Storm vet.
Group is not hard, you just sit there, and the leader asks if anyone has anything to say, and they go around the room, and if you have nothing to say, then just don't.
You will have a chance to speak privately with your therapist later in individual sessions. After a while you will feel more comfortable with the group and feel more friendly with certain members of the group, and make friends. It's similar to a lazy commons area, with a TV and tables to play cards and board games. If you want to be alone, you can do what you want.
2Quilt

secondchance · #8 20-12-2007, 05:24 AM

Hey Tanker!

I was very anxious when I first went in and did not want to inter act with others. They explained to me that I was being evaluated and it would make a difference. Turns out I loved group. It was not at all what I expected. I bonded with some great people who were just normal people (Like me) that were in pain. I was given the advice to make sure I got everything I could out of the program. You might have to be a little assertive to get what you need ( nurses station etc). It made a worl of difference to get the correct meds while in there. That helped the most. I got to try different ones until we found the right combination for me. It took less than a day for me to feel like I fit in. Good luck my freind! God bless

oksofineimnutz · #9 20-12-2007, 07:33 AM

Hats off to you for having the courage to do what needs to be done for you!!

Not having been hospitalized before myself personally, (altho threatended several times by my doc to which i narrowly avoided) but knowing several friends who have been able to recieve intense hospital therapy , ive heard lots of good things about their experiences. I wish you all the best. Good Luck and much love to ya!

rt1967 · #10 20-12-2007, 08:07 PM

I think it might be last year ,i was hospitalised twice the first time i was asked the second time i was sectioned under the mental health act i think both of those times i think i was allowed to contact people via a payphone on the ward plus have visitors .Something hugely different when i was there was being able to sit up and stand up a lot of the time and being able to eat , things not being anywhere even near so distorted that seems hard to understand.If you aren't going to be sectioned you can probably leave when you choose and it might be good to see if you or others can see differences whilst you are there.wishing you all the very best.