Private Mental Health Hospitals?

[HappyHolly]

Hello! I have suffered from anxiety on and off for over 20 years. I am seeing a psychologist and have been on antid’s for years too. I have been having quite a hard time lately and have been looking into a 2 week inpatient program at a private hospital. It is very expensive, so not something I would take lightly, however I would love some personal experiences and whether time at a hospital has helped you manage your mental illness? Was it worth it for you? Did it give you strategies that would have been hard to get in one hour weekly sessions? Any pros / cons? Thanks in advance xx

[MJM83]

Hi HH,

I too have considered spending time at a private clinic for intensive therapy focusing on my anxiety issues. Will also be interested to see if anyone responds with personal experiences.

Something that helped me when researching about anxiety is to look at it as an 'addiction' as opposed to a mental illness. Anxiety is a conscious thought. I have broken the addiction in the past, but currently find myself back at square one.

[Over1t]

I have spent time in private psych hospital's 3 times. Each time for between 5 -7 weeks. 2 of the admissions I had ECT.

I can guarantee that my hospital admissions saved my life each time.

I am very thankful for the excellent Doctors that I have and that I had access to such brilliant facilities.

Since my last hospital admission my mental health isn't perfect but its pretty damn good. I hold down a demanding full time job, been promoted recently and have great relationships with my friends and family.

A massive turn around from where I was prior to my admissions.

Best of all on about a third of the medication I was prior to admission, which makes me feel great.

Good luck in your journey.

[geoff]

hello HappyHolly, during my depression years I was admitted to a place for 2 weeks after I tried to end my life.

Thr top floor was for people suffering from depression while the bottom floor was for addicts.

Everyday there were three meals a day which we had to attend, the food was fabulous, a great choice of what we wanted, then we had group meetings, some were sad, however we had one particular meeting where all of us were in raptures probably something none of us have had in a long time, but when it broke up it felt as though something we wanted had been taken away from us, so we fell flat.

Family and/or friends could visit us, there were no phones ringing and all the pressures we had being at home weren't there, that was the best part, no mail, no phones, no shopping and no cooking.

There were three of us who stayed together out of the group of 10 to 15 ? so we sat together, ate together etc. so that was good.

Will continue. Geoff.

[geoff]

hi HappyHolly, there were strategies given to us in a group discussion as well as in a one to one consultation that were very helpful, so I'm definitely in favour of being admitted, and I say this because the circumstances are different, no phones, 3 regular meals and any on hand help needed if you want.Geoff.