When To Be Voluntarily Hospitalized for Depression?

[swimswithjeans]

Hi all,

 

There are some really kind souls here, and I do need advice.

 

If you wish to look back at my previous threads, you'll be able to tell it's been a very rough year as far as relationships go.

 

Outside of this, it has been a very rough year, anyway. I have struggled with depression for my whole life, but I seem to be on a downward slope? I have sought out help a few times, but, my most recent attempt at finding help came in June and I was assigned a really terrible, psychiatrist who I felt had no desire to HELP me, when that is EXACTLY what I asked her for. It took a lot for me to muster up going there and specifically asking for help and being completely honest, and when she seemed to have to empathy, compassion or desire to understand me or help me, it really, really hurt. She had her prescription pad on her lap as soon as I walked in.

 

I am very intelligent, very self-aware, and actually have a strong background in Psychology. I spent 5 years working for a suicide hotline.

 

Now, I find myself literally in between jobs - I lost my job in June, and hopefully have another beginning at the end of October. Thus, I have time.

 

Today was day 4 of barely getting out of bed. I forced myself out of the house today to get some food at about 4 PM. While driving home, it occurred to me that perhaps I should get some inpatient help in this time - I am clearly accomplishing nothing else except for trying to sleep for as much of the day as I possibly can.

 

The prevailing circumstances on my life are pretty unlucky. And I think I need help and I just have to know the best way to do it.

 

I am asking advice on the following:

• What are the repurcussions (if any) to voluntarily institutionalization in the US? As in, what kind of 'record' will it show up on, and could it prevent any job or other opportunities for me in the future?
  
• I have insurance, but no Primary Care doctor at the moment. How could I get my referral for inpatient care?
  
• Does anyone have experience with inpatient treatment for severe, chronic depression? If so, can you share?
  

 

Thank you for reading.

[FitChick]

See an endocrinologist for a blood work up to see if you have hormonal imbalances or deficiencies. Depression is common among people with low vitamin D levels. At the very least, take 2000mg of vitamin D3 everyday and try to force yourself to go outside for a brisk walk for twenty minutes during the day.

 

Google foods for depression. You don't want to be eating sugary foods or alcohol.

 

Psychiatrists are useless. They just want to fill you with drugs which make you feel worse.

 

Find guided meditations on youtube for free.

[gaius]

Hey Swim. I know in Massachusetts and some other states you're banned for life from owning a firearm if you've ever spent a day in any kind of institution. And I believe they're supposed to report you to the database system they use for background checks. So it's something that gets out there. And there are jobs where that might come into play. The police, military, anything that requires a security clearance. You end up pretty severely punished in a lot of ways if you do seek treatment. =/

 

Did that person you went to see end up prescribing you anything that you're still on and do you have any friends you can talk to about this stuff? If you even manage to find an open bed somewhere, they usually end up holding you long enough to get you on some kind of medication balance that works and then kick you. Unless you have a ton of dough your insurance isn't going to pay out for you to sit in there just going to therapy and working out your problems at your own pace. It's horrifically expensive and they don't want you there a minute longer than needed. If you aren't on any meds currently, pursuing that option though a regular doctor might end up just as effective but without getting the mental brand on your forehead for the rest of your life.

[swimswithjeans]

Gaius,

 

Thank you so much for the information. My research came to be extremely confusing when it came to a voluntary hospital/institutionalization. I really appreciate your answering clearly and specifically. That is exactly what I was afraid of.

 

The stigma out there is so severe that the idea of making mental illness as invisible as possible really stinks.

 

The person I did see prescribed some Prozac. I did take it, and it did help me for awhile, but my insurance stopped covering it.

 

I have support, it is just not consistent. Friends come and go from the area all the time, sometimes just no people are around. I live by myself, and I am absolutely afraid of going through the transition to medication in a setting that is unmonitored, and I considered institutionalization because I am simply exhausted and, any relief from my current routine I feel would be beneficial.

 

What a difficult situation. Thank you again for writing.

[gaius]

Gaius,

 

Thank you so much for the information. My research came to be extremely confusing when it came to a voluntary hospital/institutionalization. I really appreciate your answering clearly and specifically. That is exactly what I was afraid of.

 

The stigma out there is so severe that the idea of making mental illness as invisible as possible really stinks.

 

The person I did see prescribed some Prozac. I did take it, and it did help me for awhile, but my insurance stopped covering it.

 

I have support, it is just not consistent. Friends come and go from the area all the time, sometimes just no people are around. I live by myself, and I am absolutely afraid of going through the transition to medication in a setting that is unmonitored, and I considered institutionalization because I am simply exhausted and, any relief from my current routine I feel would be beneficial.

 

What a difficult situation. Thank you again for writing.

You're welcome. You have to do whatever it is you feel best but I would really suggest your first step be finding a PCP nearby who takes new patients and your insurance and going to see them. They might be able to work with the pharmacy on getting you something your insurance does cover. And in the meantime maybe building up your social support network the best you can and finding a therapist you do click with.