I got to meet Jesus, the Anti-Christ, the Virgin Mary, Napoleon, Elvis, and so many others. At least people who truly believed that they were these people. My experience at the hospital was not great at first because I as well refused to take the medication, but after going back there enough times I think it hit me that there was something wrong with me. Once I did take the meds it helped me significantly. Being with other people who are going through the same was also helpful well at least when they were under control.

(resurrecting thread)

if you could add what made it so you went, who told you to go, what was happening to you before you went, if it was suicidal, your behavior. I am seriously considering admitting myself for a 14-day stay, what my insurance will pay for...to get my head on straight...

My last visit was Dec. 05. It meant I could take care of myself, get meds adjusted without outside interference. Not that I want to go again, but if I have to then I have to.

Safety, This may sound weird but I actually felt sane being there. I could talk to people that felt the same way I did, hear the same things I heared. My family and husband could not understand.

Honestly? Other than somewhere safe where I know I can't harm myself, I don't think it's done a lot for me, hence why I'm reluctant to go back

It gave me a place to get my thoughts and myself together while my meds were being adjusted. It was where I could actually meet real people just like me who functioned (or at least tried to) daily with bipolar disorder.

Hospitalized twice in the last year at 40. Found out I was bi-polar as a result of antidepressants with postpartum depression. It was scarey. As some have said, you find people worse than you. You realize how much is at stake You also realize how many are for more drugs. They were calling when released to the other patients offering money for scripts when they got out. I saw another nurse, which is my profession. The main thing that helped me was my meds and me being monitored. Some people I really liked, but don't want to keep in touch with

I've never been hospitalized, but I imagine the greatest benefit would be to separate from all the other demands of life (spousal abuse, job, baby, cooking, brushing teeth...). I think this applies to the manic stage, as it always felt like I had so much going through my had, and too many demand I couldn't meet. Once, I tried to decide whether to go and just commit myself, that lasted about a week. The following week, I was in the hospital, with a pulmonary embolism. That can be deadly, but it was so welcome. I only stayed for 2 days, but I wished I could stay just one more day... I did not ask them to keep me. Now that I'm diagnosed, next time I might, ha-ha.

the first time it was scary, and i had a lot of shame. There was a lot of stigma where I was living....the second time was much later, and I found the people inside were incredibly sweet. It was almost heartbreaking, the micro-communities forming and falling apart.

My one complaints from that one was that the doctor said I was a hysteric...EXCUSE ME? I was having a wellbutrin seizure and psychotic delusions. I couldn't believe any doctor past 1900 would throw that ridiculous freud bullshit around...

When I went I was one of about 12 people there. Everyday my entire family came and saw me. We could only have visitors come in 2 at a time for only an hour so they took turns rotating in and out seeing me. My family isn't the greatest in the world by any means, but just seeing them there to see me when other people never had anyone come to see them showed me that I really had a lot more to be thankful for that I thought I did.

I got to eat vegetarian Chicken and veggie Sloppy Joes. I got to eat also vegan eggs, bacon, and sandwich meat. Damn 7th day Adventists, I almost broke out just to get me a Real Double-double from In and Out. Next time I am going to smuggle in some Jerky.

They gave me cool meds and took away my old meds. It was great as I slowly built up towards full blown mania. Then three days after I left them my pdoc put me back on my old fucking meds that didn't work in the first place.

I got to make neat arts and crafts things. I still have it to remember my lovely time.

I try make my hospital memories funny in my head..but they were not and still overpower me, despite my attempts at de-fusing the pains.Not at all fucking funny.

depends on the hospital, all have given me time to think and adjust meds. One got me started on DBT and a lil bit of therapy.
Plus some awesome classes

I don't think any of my hospitalizations have been helpful. They have kept me from killing myself at that moment but often I left feeling more suicidal. On a couple stays, it gave me a sense of false hope that this med change would be the one that works. It never does. It just provided me with new meds to add to my stockpile.