residential care for depression - what to expect? *could be triggering

[nctoday1]

Posting in chat in the hope of more traffic.

I wanted to ask about people's experiences of staying somewhere like a hospital/residential care place/somewhere like The Priory for depression and anxiety.

I've reached a point where I know I have to do something and the only way it will help is if I'm out of my normal environment and away from factors that are making it worse. It's like I've been hobbling along for so long, sometimes I manage, other times I don't, but it's like there's a shadow on my shoulder all the time and I can't shake it off.

I'm scared of going into a place and finding myself trapped in an intimidating environment where I might not feel safe or listened to. I'd really like some reassurance that it's a good idea and I'd feel a lot more comfortable if I have some idea what to expect.

If anyone's been somewhere like this and doesn't mind sharing their experience I'd be very grateful. I would like to know about what it's like, if you think it was or wasn't a helpful environment to be in and if you felt it made a big difference in the long term.

Hi nctoday1 I can’t say I’ve had any experience, but I’d just like to give your post a bump.
I think you’re really brave for seeing there is an issue and trying to sort it.

As I said, I have no experience in MH places, but a good friend of mine works in our local MH hospital, does referrals etc, and she is the nicest most kind person I have ever met.

Please don’t be scared or worried, look at it as the journey to the beginning of your new happier and easier life.

I wish you all the best

@ManualFlusherSnot thank you so much for replying, it's very kind of you. Hopefully someone with direct experience won't mind telling me a bit about what to expect

I’m sorry that I don’t have any experience to share but I wanted to say that I am sending big hugs and strength and lots of support your way and to say well done for recognising the need for help. I know how hard that is. Hopefully someone abut ore helpful will be along soon

That should have said someone a bit more helpful

I have been an in patient though in an NHS facility. I can tell you right now and this is not a criticism of the NHS you really never want to be an in patient if you can avoid it. Because you end up liv g with everyone else’s illness as well and they rub off on each other.

I would seek an intensive course of therapy whilst staying at home, I had this through the NHS and there was a waiting list plus I don’t think this is especially available for depression but if you have the funds then maybe you could get something to assist with depression. My course lasted for almost 2 years for 3 days a week.

@Valkadin thank you for telling me. One of my worries was that it might not be the best environment, that was one of the reasons I've held off and thought I should try and manage with outpatient treatment

It’s very expensive to stay as an inpatient
Priory depending on area, I’d imagine London area more
Your talking 5/6 k a week

If this is what you really want inpatient, try googling residential mh in your area

In hospital private/nhs you will always come across people who are really poorly who may frighten you with there actions and symptoms

Are you on medication already? If not, I'd start down that route first via your GP. It is very difficult to get admitted to an NHS facility - you would have to be very poorly mentally and it's generally a last resort. I think the admission criteria for a private psychiatric stay would be different- do you have health insurance? It will be £££ per week.

I have seen people restrained against their will when trying to escape when sectioned. Plus a woman repeatedly smashing her head against a wall to try and make thoughts stop. Plus some of the stories people share, utterly horrific stuff, it makes a lot of the stuff posted on MN seem pretty trivial, it’s why they are ill.

Yeah psych hospital is not fun. A combo of traumatic and boring. Never been private though. I imagine there's probably more therapy and activities but you're still stuck in a place designed around safety, not leisure, with lots of people who may be distressingly unwell

Chances are no doctor would agree that it's the best thing for you to admit you to hospital anyway.

My mum has been hospitalised with depression and ended up in a residential unit. I actually thought the unit she was in seemed ok but it didn't make her better just kept her safe. Her cure came from getting her medication right. The doctors would prescribe something and then see how she improved. But we found they would be happy with relatively small improvements. We had to keep pushing for them to change dosages or try other drugs. When they finally hit on the right combination and dose it was amazing - my mum was back.

So my advice would be that if you can still function I'd stay home but push for better treatment. If someone can advocate on your behalf that might be helpful because it can get tedious and repetitive asking yet again to try something else.