First of all, are you hooked up with a psychiatrist? Or someone like a nurse-practitioner who can prescribe and monitor your meds? Can you get hook up with a local mental health center? The sad thing is that hospitals only deal with crises and coming back to your everyday situation is hard. Many of the problems that landed you in the hospital may still be there. People are in a psychiatric hospital for different reasons, if this is your first time, you are pretty lucky that it is not so serious and intractable like some other people's burdens. It is not likely something that you do on your own now to have a meaningful schedule and be motivated in goal-orientated behavior. Sounds like you have a serious depression still. So what was your circumstances that led you to the hospital? Were you a voluntary patient or not? You need professional help at this point. And it might be a long struggle to regain mental health. I really don't have enough information from your description what was / is involved. Being here on DS is a good step to take. But you must get professional help. Read the disclaimer at the bottom of the screen by DS.

I've had five hospital stays in the last three years. I hated every single one. I don't like strangers as it is so being in a group of strangers gave me such bad anxiety. The only thing I liked about being there was sleeping whenever I wanted for as long as I wanted. My parents don't let me sleep so much at home. I also hated the psychiatrist there except the second one I saw who is now my regular Pdoc. The hospital is a good place for a mental vacation. I avoided the groups because of my anxiety. Also in the hospital the pdocs don't like benzodiazepines like Ativan which is my regular anxiety med. I had to fight to get a good anxiety Ned there. Clearly I have little good to say about it but I will admit that I did need hispitiized for my own safety. Many people have good hospital experiences but they drive my nerves up more than anything

I was on a 72 hour hold because I was suicidal. I had a dr to prescribe me medications but I am switching to a new one now. I wake up every morning feeling worse than the one before, I hope there is a light at the end of this tunnel.

Are you following up with the Pdoc or someone for talk therapy? Sounds like you would benefit from talking through your problems until you turned the corner and have some specific plans that motivate you. Hope that you do much better.

yup, and I also have a therapist also. The problem is that I don't know what the problem is. I have a great life except having to deal with anxiety and depression, So I guess they call the Generalized Anxiety Disorder. thanks for the support.

Hang in there with a therapist you connect with, and I believe you'll do much better.

I have been in the hospital many a times. However in spite of the nurses waking me up or the Meds I would push myself out. Kind of contradicting myself when I'm at home. When I was released they had switched a lot of my drugs and I hated it and how it made me feel. Sometimes Meds do counteract and don't do their jobs as they are supposed to do. When u are going to be released they usually have a follow up plan for weeks with the doc and T In most cases and patient will have to comply as a discharge procedure and policy. At least that was for me. I'm not sure what your discharge policy is and if it's not this I would strongly recommend you to take that step which would in turn let you take a step forward towards healing and understanding the journey you are on. All the best to you. I have made it far and I know it's possible and can be done. Sending you motivation and hope.

I have been to the hospital twice due to my anxiety. I finally found a great psychiatrist to monitor my meds and its took a few tries of different meds as well. the first one i had an allergic reaction too. seems like your hospital experience was pretty typical. take it easy.

What meds did they have you on and what are you switching to??

Here are three things to do to help yourself find the path that works for you. First, keep a journal of what you do when, where, how long, how you feel both physically and mentally, and work to stay hydrated. A daily routine schedule can ensure you remind yourself to brush/comb hair, clean teeth, minor things most people take for granted, but so important to know you're doing them. It's the tiny steps that give you movement to keep trying for the bigger steps. Finding the medicine that works the best takes determination, and the best way to get the best medicine is to be able to show the doctor what happens when. You are not alone in this!

I am on Prozac. I was taking 40 mg and they have bumped me up to 80 mg. Praying that it helps and soon.

I have been in the hospital several times due to Major Depression, anxiety disorder and my anorexia (which I am in recovery now). I am in my mid forties and have had terrible experiences in the past. I felt helpless for a long time. I finally found a really good shrink and we are making progress with the depression meds. There is a light at the end of the tunnel Sending you hope and strength.