About 5 1/2 years ago I was in a constant state of panic and fear. I couldn't eat, go anywhere, do anything for fun, take care of myself or my family. I was just hoping that I wouldn't wake up anymore. The worst part was, I was hiding it from my then fiance. So I called the local Seven Counties Crisis Line and talked with a counselor. She asked me some questions and then ask me did I think I needed outside help? I had to answer yes. I was so miserable that I didn't want to go on anymore.
So they actually sent the cops to my house instead of an ambulance for fear that I may hurt myself. When they came in and my fiance looked at me like what is going on, I had to tell him that I had been hiding the panic attacks from him and that I needed help because I didn't want to live anymore. He stood up and told the cops that he would be taking me to the hospital and that's where we went.
The wait wasn't fun, it was around new years so I waited about 10 hours to be evaluated in the ER. There was a lot of questions asked and they wanted to know if I thought I needed to be inpatient in a mental health place and I said yes, because I knew that I needed help. A little while later I was at the place. A little peaceful nice looking place in Indiana.
I was in there for a week and it was the best thing I ever did for myself. It saved my life. I got my meds adjusted, learned some behaviors that would help me during panic attacks, and met a wonderful doctor (I still see her to this day!). I also learned that I wasn't alone. There were a few others there with me that were worse off than me. I found things to be thankful for. I totally missed my fiance (now husband) and son, but I needed it.
My advice to you is to do a little research about places you may be able to go to. Some are nicer than others. My impression was that I was going to be put into a paddlocked room, but it wasn't like that at all. Good luck to you and I really hope you start to feel better.

I went to one once 5 years ago. I was in my senior year of high school and I couldn't even get myself to school. I wasn't sleeping, I wasn't eating, I was in a constant panic, and I felt so helpless / hopeless. Exhaustion and not eating only made things more difficult. My therapist suggested checking in and I did. It did wonders. I slept, started eating again, and everyone was so understanding and helpful. I left 8 days later and went back to school. I wouldn't say it "fixes" you, but I was to a point where I couldn't even function in life and it helped me get back to a functioning state, if that makes sense. If you need a break from life to get back on track, I would definitely recommend it.

I have...but the place i went was not so nice liek the ones ur all talk of.....so make sure you do some cheking

I've been in the hospital five different times for various things but mostly for panic and I can tell you that where you go is very important. form one place top another can be a very different experience, if you can find some one who has been in where you live it would be the best. Otherwise check with your local ER. The first two times for me were great experiences, I was living in a small town and there were only two places to go to. If you live in a Major city lick I do now ( Phoenix) you should have allot of options so do some research if you can.

Only you can decide if it's time to go in and it depends on your tolerence level but if your having trouble functioning I think it would be a good option, like I say for me some were good and some were bad, but for me it came to the point that anything was better than the way I was living. If nothing else you'll get some counseling and you'll get to see doctor who can make adjustments to you medications. Don't let it get to the point that you feel like harming yourself , you could end up being court ordered and it's better to go in voluntarily.

I committed myself to the psych ward at my local hospital about 4 months ago for about 4 days. Leading up to it, I was suffering debilitating panic attacks and could barely function. I was at my psychologist's office for an appointment when I realized I couldn't deal anymore. I started hyperventilating and he asked me what I wanted to do. I said I wanted to check in. I followed him in his car because I could barely breath.

My fiance at the time had a really hard time with it and was very upset. He later learned and grew from my experience at the hospital, thank goodness. My folks were very supportive of checking in because my dad suffers from depression. Despite a rough first day, due to a room mix-up, checking myself in was the best thing I could have done for myself. I got to see that I wasn't alone and the group sessions every day really helped.

After I checked out, the doctor felt I was a good candidate for the Intensive Outpatient Program at the hospital. That was the second best thing I ever did concerning my attacks. It was 15 days (3 weeks) and I didn't work during that time. I spent 4 hours each day in group therapy digging really deep. The program taught me about my disease and taught me coping skills, which I still try to use. All the other group patients were wonderful and supportive as well.

Fortunately, I have fantastic medical coverage through my job and was able to get medical leave for that month I was out.

If you can afford it, and you feel you can no longer handle it on your own, I STRONGLY recommend checking in. I would however do research and get advice from a doctor about a facility before checking in.

Good luck to you and best wishes. You are not alone.

Ive thought about checking myself in a place, but where would I go with no health insurance?? I'm sure they don't offer help for that kind of thing, but maybe I do need that to snap me out of this. I worry everyday about dying, something being wrong, and now I'm starting to wake up in the night, tossing and turning. I feel crazy. I am starting a new job and I really wanna do it, but how can I work fearing stuff all the time?? Am I going to be at work and suddenly rush out of there because I hear someone say the word cancer or death.. etc. If I had health insurance, I would check myself in for a week.

I have thought about it before but then when I really thought about it, it didn't make any sense. My issues are being out, not it I don't see what kind of progress I could make being able to be out and about by myself if I am cooped up in some sort of hospital or clinic.....