You either get hospitalized for a depressive episode or a severe manic episode ...

Depressive episode admittance criteria include persistent thoughts of harming ones self, persistent suicidal ideation or planning, self injury, or attempts at suicide...

Manic episode admittance criteria include overly expansive mood, uncontrollable mood, psychosis, lack of touch with reality, extreme paranoia and delusions ... hallucinations ... in this case, the manic patient is often admitted by someone else, often against their will.

If you're stable you have no business being in a hospital.

Although I'm now legally detained in hospital for bp, when I went in, in March 08 it was my own choice. I was going through a severe depressive episode and was self harming a lot, and didn't have a set diagnosis. I chose to go into hospital because there was no way I could carry on by myself, I was just too unwell. I have been hospitalised 5 or 6 times now, maybe more. I needed it badly because my behaviours were getting out of control and I was on a one way path to suicide. If you feel that bad, you will know if you need it. Hope this helps. Moving x

I try my best to keep from going to the hospital. I went in 02 before I knew what was going on with me and everyone talked me into going. I was delusional and couldnt think straight. I went without meds for almost 6 years until I was diagnosed. I finally got on meds when I was on the brink of being admitted by my boyfriend. I will keep from going back there as much as I can. For mine, my childrens, and everyone else that I loves sake.

the thought comes up (hopefully) if i am becoming severely unglued one way or the other (manic---not hypo--but actually manic, or suicidally depressed).

in these states i can't function and my thoughts and actions are usually completely out of control (or on the way there). my husband is a good sounding board for the decision whether to go or not because, as mentioned, i am not thinking straight...

the idea is that it's a good stop-gap to get my feet somewhat back on the ground and start functioning in a place where i won't do harm to myself or others...all in a safe place where i can be tended to and monitored 24/7, which is something my husband cannot do.

i have a place recommended by my pdoc that i go to and am comfortable with (as much as anyone can be comfortable with places like this) and even have a pre-written and signed statement that i wrote up with my pdoc signed by us both of what kinds of treatment i do and do not want to receive and which phosp i want like to be treated by. it has been distributed to her, my analyst, my husband, and a trusted aunt in case my husband cannot be contacted.

i've also been involuntarily hospitalized for verbally babbling about suicide in a very bad state of mind and for attempting it.

i've also almost been involutarily hospitalized for mania a few times, but it is easier to bring me down from these states with pills than it is to bring me up out of a state of suicidal depression.

i've also almost been arrested in a state of mania a couple of times when i didn't recognize the signs and was out and about without my pills and pitched a manic fit in the wrong places at the wrong times...so...now i carry some chill pills in my purse and hope never to be in similar situations ever again...

hope this was helpful...xoxoxox, beep.