I am saddened that I have post this anonymously, but there is still a lot of stigma regarding mental health.
Much of what the author says about the psych ward aligns with my limited experience as a patient, but, please, if you are suicidal, delusional, manic, uncontrollably angry, or paranoid, check yourself into the nearest emergency room. Even if you do not think you are threat, you can still physically harm yourself or others if you do not seek help. I speak from experience. The psych ward is there to get you stabilized and get attention quickly.
But in my, again limited, experience, the state of inpatient psych treatment in the US is terrible, especially given the cost. If you want anecdotal evidence that something is deeply wrong with our health care system, try spending a week in a psych ward. But it is all we have right now, and spending time in the psych ward is still better than harming yourself.
Sadly the outpatient system isn't much better. In many cities there is a chronic lack of psychiatrists. I think many Dr's have become jaded by the number of patients requesting treatment and can overlook more serious cases. Also, in my opinion, too many psychiatrists have become 'prescribers' and not involved enough with their patient's therapy. In which case they can loose touch with the effects of the medication being prescribed.
I am Bipolar Type II, and, while treatable, it can be a very dangerous illness. It can wreak havoc with your life and the life of others.
Much of what the author says about the psych ward aligns with my limited experience as a patient, but, please, if you are suicidal, delusional, manic, uncontrollably angry, or paranoid, check yourself into the nearest emergency room. Even if you do not think you are threat, you can still physically harm yourself or others if you do not seek help. I speak from experience. The psych ward is there to get you stabilized and get attention quickly.
But in my, again limited, experience, the state of inpatient psych treatment in the US is terrible, especially given the cost. If you want anecdotal evidence that something is deeply wrong with our health care system, try spending a week in a psych ward. But it is all we have right now, and spending time in the psych ward is still better than harming yourself.
Sadly the outpatient system isn't much better. In many cities there is a chronic lack of psychiatrists. I think many Dr's have become jaded by the number of patients requesting treatment and can overlook more serious cases. Also, in my opinion, too many psychiatrists have become 'prescribers' and not involved enough with their patient's therapy. In which case they can loose touch with the effects of the medication being prescribed.
I am Bipolar Type II, and, while treatable, it can be a very dangerous illness. It can wreak havoc with your life and the life of others.