I have never been in in-patient therapy, but please do go if you feel you might commit suicide. I have been living with depression for many years, and I am no stranger to suicidal idealization, but a few years ago, I was so low I feared I might actually do it, so I called a suicide hotline. It did help somewhat and I reached out for help to some people in my life. I also wrote a list (I still have it) of reasons not to kill myself--reasons to remain alive. I made sure that none of the things I wrote down were dependent on me being successful or wealthy. I was actually surprised about how many items I was able to come up with. I can tell you, I have pulled that list out since.

I have never been in an in-patient facility, so I can't address your questions. Nevertheless, it sounds to me like you need help. I think you should reach out to someone. Meds are helpful, but it can take a long time to find the right combination and dosage, so in the meantime, you will need a lifeline. If you don't think you can find what you need out-patient, then check yourself in.

I have. I was hospitalized for a little under two weeks. And also attended a partial hospital program which is like right between inpatient and outpatient. My suggestion is, don't go to a hospital unless you absolutely need to. If you want to do inpatient, look into residential treatment programs because they will likely be much less intimidating and forceful about things but still keep you safe and help you feel better (more effectively than a hospital will improve your mood, from my experience, anyway). In other words, don't let yourself get into the point of seriously considering ending it, but go to a residential or intensive outpatient program before you need something more intensive (in other words, the hospital, where you're monitored and basically stuck there until they approve you for leaving.) but If you ARE in a crisis it is a safe place so please don't let my experiences deter you from calling 911 or going to a nearby ER if you truly need to. There should definitely be some caring staff there that should help you work through what you're feeling and introduce certain coping strategies to you (and they won't keep you unless you are in danger of yourself or a danger to someone else. You will probably only even be admitted if they assess you as actually being in imminent danger of suicide/killing someone else because of your mental health condition. Now residential programs likely won't do that "you can't leave" thing. I did a partial hospitalization program for 8 (I think?) weeks that is sort of similar to inpatient in that you see them every day for many hours a day and it's very intensive, and you have a complete care team. People were much more able to improve their emotional state in the partial hospitalization setting (and I would assume a residential setting would be similar) than the hospital, and were also kept safe (you saw a therapist every day for a good amount of time and made a safety plan If necessary). Of course, if you need urgent help please don't hesitate to text 741741 (my hotline of choice as I think you remain anonymous) or call 911, but ideally seek intensive but less restrictive treatment before you get to that point. In other words, I strongly, strongly encourage you to consider intensive treatment now as Opposed to the hospital later! Prayed for you, my friend!

It's a nightmare, don't go. They throw you in a ward with schizophrenics and treat you like a child for a few weeks, tell you when to go to bed and when to eat. The place will make you worse than you are now. Also the bill at the end....

I had a really positive inpatient experience. Yes, you are told when to eat and when to go to bed etc...but that's basically just because the staff has to manage a large number of people. I found being inpatient to be supportive and helpful in a time of severe crisis. I also did the outpatient program afterwards that question mentioned, and I found that to be extremely helpful as well. For me, going inpatient was a real turning point and made a huge difference in my life.

I have never been an in patient. You mentioned that you have not responded to medication or therapy. Sometimes you have to try several different medications and dosages that are best for you. You might want to talk to your doctor about trying something different. Sometimes it takes going to several different therapists before finding the right one for you. Keep trying to find one that you feel is helping you and that you feel comfortable with.

I was in for 3 days and I had a wonderful experience! There were groups to talk/play games. We could watch tv, use the phone, etc. They treated us like the adults we were, not children. They don't "throw" you anywhere. Please go if you're really at the lowest point you can be! The doctors/nurses are there to help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.