in 1990 my house burned not all way down. was in there with ins people.had chronic bhroncits . couldnt sleep . was taking amatripline for to relax me and let me sleep. didnt relize i had took that much .i started seeing things that i knew wasnt there . so told hubby to take me to hospital . they admitted me woke up with phy sitting by my bed they thought i had tryed to kill myself .dr did bunch of stupid test .and was going to send me home. and i was worse than when i went in. i went off on hime and he transfeered me to stress and medical in big hosp .i was in hospital 13 days in all and it was no different there except they wanted you to get dressed in regular clothes. eat at dining area.and kepr doors to where patients couldnt leave that part of hosp. but if i needed it again i wouldnt hesatate to do it.

Although I haven't ever been hospitalised, I have been in a very dark and lonely place mentally. My Dad was admitted and they really helped him get his life into prospective. He actually ended up helping others that were in there with him. I can honestly say that he came out a much calmer and peaceful man.
Isn't it wonderful that all of you are willing to share your experiences with us without the stigma that can still be attached to mental health problems. That is, indeed, progress. Hugs to you all, thank you for responding to Dixie's post. Owlxx

I have never been...but twice in my life I should have been...and at the one time I had no support system at all.so how I made it thru it is beyond me.

Lostin pain, it you need help, please go. Your life is very valuable. My SIL tried to commit suicide one night and we got a call at 10:30 at night-horrible to wake up to that type of a phone call. We had to go to the courthouse and commit her. That was the most HORRIBLE thing my husband and I ever had to do. We live in a small town and it was hard knowing the people there were probably goiing to spread it all over towm, She was DX'd with depression and stayed in the mental health dept at the hospital for a week or so. With the help there and the meds, she is doing so fantastic!! Within the same year, my husbands cousin was also DX'd with depression. He was not admitted to the hospital, but was on meds and doing shock therapy. His mother found him dead hanging in the barn. It about killed my husband to lose him. Another friend also was DX's the same year, and he got help and also is doing great. So please please go to a hospital and get checked in if you need to. I don't know you, but every life is so precious. Just take it one day at a time, there is only one way to go and that is UP :)

Take care my friend and if you need help, we are here.

TC N Hugs Judy

I was hospitalized for about 10 long weeks in a mental health hospital. The first 48 hours, I couldn't have visitations with my immediate family, and friends. I had to eat the awful food three times a day and go to group sessions three times a day. At least, we got to watch TV or play cards etc. I also got to know the newcomers. I was approached twice by a lesbian who wanted me to make love to her. The ladies were on one side of the ward and the men on the other. We could only talk to each other during meals or arts or crafts. I will never be put in one again. It is an awful place to be.

i made the decision not to come home i knew i needed it.and would do the same again

Loraine,

I'm sorry you had such a horrible experience. I was in what they called the stress unit, it was a locked ward. We did all thegroups, arts and crafts, things to get our minds relaxed and help us sleep. I would go again in a heartbeat if I ever get that way again.

Love and hugs to all that need them tonight......

Darling, I have no experience with this, but have a dear friend who was a Mental Health Ward nurse. If you are so freightened, then sign yourself in. If you get there and find that the staff, doctors, other patients are too much for you then you can sign yourself out and go to another facility that is a better match for you. However, do not decide this in the first day. You will naturally feel out of place or even threatened by loss of freedom to do as you please during the first 24 hours. After this time, you can give it a better assessment. Good luck with any decision you make.

I have never been commited but I have tried to end my life 4 times..I just couldnt take my depression, alcoholism, drug abuse, anymore..I would rather die back then to live life as a gay man...Now I have a partner of 5 years and Im ok..neither good nor bad mental wise..With my depression now I may also need to be hospitalized in the future..sometimes things get too hard for me handle..

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