Voluntarily Checking into a Mental Hospital

[undertakerfreak1127]

It's been a while since I've been here, but I figured this was a good place to seek some advice on something that's been weighing heavily on my mind for some time.

I was diagnosed with Bipolar II two years ago. It explained so much about the way I behaved, felt and thought, and I was relieved since treatment comes with a diagnosis. For about a year, I had a good treatment plan - therapy, medication and being more active. But over the past year, I seem to be on the decline. My health anxiety reached heights I never thought possible, with me thinking about dying nearly every day. And more recently, I've entertained the thought of taking my own life several times. It has been a slow, downward spiral. Since treatment has been failing me, and I can't stop these thoughts, I've been considering checking myself into a mental hospital. This is a last resort option for me, because I'm so totally lost. Do I just show up with my stuff and say "hey, I want to kill myself!"? Do I show up with nothing? Will they put me in a padded room? Will the only way they'll keep me be telling them I'm in imminent danger of killing myself? So many thoughts. I guess I just want some input from some of you, whether you've done it or not.

[jessed03]

Hey bud,

Welcome back!

Usually the hospital will want to know you're a danger to yourself or others before committing you. It's a fairly big deal; that's why. It's expensive to keep patients in this environment, and of course takes a lot of time and paperwork to organize.

If they do commit you, you'll probably just get a normal room where you'll be checked on by nurses. The padded cell thing is a bit of a misconception.

I was in the exact same situation as you (minus the bipolar) 5 years ago. Rather than commit me, the hospital contacted my family (with my permission) and got them to agree to monitor me. They also sent me to an outpatient centre where I was able to talk to doctors and do intense therapy sessions. You may have one of these centres near you. If so, that's probably where you'll end up.

[Im-Suffering]

The way you feel, think and behave (emotional state) creates the (physical) disorder known as bipolar. Not the other way around as you said :

'I was diagnosed with Bipolar II two years ago. It explained so much about the way I behaved, felt and thought'

You must reverse that, accurately 'unresolved problems in my life as well as repressed emotions, false beliefs or errant ideas about my life caused me to behave, feel and think a certain way, and ultimately my diagnosis reinforced that'.

This is why you 'relapsed' worse than before. You did not deal with the emotions mentally that give way to your thoughts and feelings : IE the 'cause'.

Suicide does not end the problems. Facing them does, dead or alive.

Who is Sara? I feel there is much sadness, guilt, anger and even frustration inside you

[Anne1221]

First of all, don't be afraid to go to a hospital and get yourself the help you need. You are to be commended for wanting to get better. You need answers and so maybe you can talk to a therapist, a doctor, or maybe even call a suicide hotline??? I called a suicide hotline one time to get information to help a friend and they were very helpful. Or you can just go to a community health center and tell them what you told us and see what they say. I wish you only the very best in getting better.