would you be interested in going through therapy or into a psychiatric hospital?

[colorlesshue]

just a general question, is therapy or institutionalization even worth it? would you consider it or if you have been to either would you reccomend it to others?

 

[AllFoxedOut]

I have done both. I have not found either to be worth it.

but I don't think my experience is true for everyone. there are genuinely some good therapists out there, and not all mental hospitals are the hellscapes you often hear about (though a lot are of course).

I'd say if you haven't tried a therapist, but you have access to one, it's worth a try. institutionalisation, even voluntary, is a last resort.

 

[watchingthebuses]

I'm in the field very, very temporarily as part of my program (not the patient interacting part though mostly) and I do think that people who go into psych go into it because they care. At least the place I'm at. The system might be broken but I think if you think it will be helpful to you, you should give it a try. Since, you know, we don't lock people up and throw away the key anymore. There's always time to exhaust all the options you want to try before ctb. That's my POV anyway.

 

[sillyburner]

I've gotten multiple types of therapy for years as a kid, dropped it before HS. Honestly did nothing for me. Wasn't even real therapy in my eyes, just some jank group breathing exercise and coloring. The 1 on 1 sessions were insanely awkward, and everything I said was basically at the mercy of the therapist. Said something a little too far one day and I was admitted to a psych ward. Wasn't disgustingly awful, but I wouldn't do it again. Was there for a week and I'm pretty sure I lost 5 pounds lmao.

 

[suicidaleeyore]

I've done it all. Every type of therapy available to me. went to a residential inpatient clinic for 9 months. Many acute admissions to hospital for self harm/suicidality/suicide attempts. It has helped but it always gets bad again

 

[heatdeath]

Tried therapy, fucking hated it.

I live with my parents in a very expensive city. How do you talk to someone who has everything (partner who loves them, nice house, fancy car, etc.) and expect them to relate to someone who has nothing or very few things to live for?

Not only that, I'm aggressively unattractive and the women therapists who accepted me as a patient were 9s and 10s. I don't like therapists who are men because they're not compassionate and some of them have even told me to suck it up. We all know the world is way easier for attractive people, so that just added to my rage, resentment, and the overall ineffectiveness of therapy.

The only things that seem to be keeping me alive at the moment are work, alcohol, good food, my Mom, and the fact that N is impossible to get (although maybe it won't be forever).

 

[WhyWasIBorn]

Since, you know, we don't lock people up and throw away the key anymore.

There is definitely still medical malpractice that goes on in this field, this just came about a few days ago and glad it gets a spotlight because I'm positive this happened to me a few times and to a lot of people. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/top-ar...alsely-imprisoning-patients-medicai-rcna93430

@colorlesshue It's really hit or miss I think. The in-patient hospitals here seem to mainly be about simply preventing you from suicide, it's not a very personal setting but if you're worried about rashly hurting yourself in the moment then it could technically be a life saving place for you. Just know what to expect like sleeping in rooms with multiple people in them, and people experiencing things like psychosis or other mental problems that occur in these facilities with people held without their will and given/forced new and strong medications. Fights, people screaming, people hitting on you or whatever else may happen. I have and endless amount of memories. There are out patient facilities too, but I was once out-patient and still got held inside one time that I went in to see my psychiatrist, he saw I was so depressed and told another doctor on the phone when I was with him that he thought I was going to take the whole bottle of pills he prescribed me and that's why he admitted me. Know it can always happen when you start showing and especially saying how you truly feel to anyone even if you don't directly say you're suicidal, but I truly think it's right that some people do actually try to help rather than seeing you as just a bed number. I hope you find some peace soon with whatever you choose.

 

[Praestat_Mori]

The answer is simple here when you answer the following questions for yourself: Is the cause / reason that triggers it known, can it be eliminated? Can the "illness" be cured / treated or not? Can that be a soultion to the actual problem that is causing the "mental problems"? What is causing the mental problems at all?

If the naswer is no, then forget about therapy, psych wards and meds.

If you think it may help you and there is a chance to cure it then give it a try, It's all up to you and your own decsion.

This is personal opinion.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I had a few therapy sessions at uni. They were quite insightful to be fair. I just found it really intrusive though. I've considered trying to battle various issues over the years- mostly to do with social anxiety and confidence. I'm at the point where in truth- I'm just too lazy/ cynical for all that now though. Maybe not the healthiest goal but at one point- all these things I hoped would make me more employable in my chosen (dream) job. Now, I'm not so sure I even want that job! It would involve short contracts, moving all over the country and notoriously long hours- 16 hour days aren't uncommon. So- do I REALLY want to be exploited like that? Probably not! I guess I've realised that I probably just want to tread water now- as it were. The end goals don't even feel worth it anymore.

In terms of a psyche ward. I just don't know. I used to have such a strong compulsion to work all the time. My anxiety and guilt about failing- even when I was working all the time was enormous. Sometimes, I would actually have these weird fantasies about being incarcerated- even in prison! Like- what a relief it would be to know I simply didn't/ couldn't do all this other stuff. I wouldn't have to worry about succeeding anymore. I know that's messed up though! I'm sure the reality is grim.

I guess another part of me wondered what would happen if I was sectioned after the recent welfare checks. I personally don't think I have debhilitating mental illness. I may have longterm mild to moderate depression but it doesn't affect my ability to function. I kind of doubt I'd be all that different to the staff that work in those places! Some are bound to be depressed. I guess the confrontational part of me would enjoy the challenge- prove to me that I'm crazy! Still- I doubt it would work like that. I expect you ARE just seen as crazy/ mentally ill in those places- so- I imagine they are authoritarian. As in- you ARE sick- now- take your medicine. I wouldn't like that. I didn't even like the chat on the crisis line following the welfare check. I don't enjoy being guilt tripped, or spoken down to- so, I probably wouldn't like it in a psyche ward.

 

[timetodie24]

I've tried multiple different therapies. Haven't found one that helped but I know for others it really has. For some it's life changing, others it helps a little, sometimes it makes things worse. It can take time to find the right therapy and the right therapist for you. So if you do try, don't expect the first one to be a cure. If it doesn't help, it might not be the right fit so i'd give it at least another shot.
If someone has never tried it and think it might help, what's there to lose though.

I've been on a psych ward once, not by choice. I hated it and didn't find it helpful. It wasn't horrific, it was just lonely and boring. Again people have mixed experiences.
But even if it helps, they can be difficult places to be so i'd try therapy first. However, if you want to live but really can't keep yourself safe then a short stay might help. Just be aware if you go in voluntary, in some countries they can change you to involuntary/sectioned (committed) if you try to discharge yourself before they think you're ready.

I've given up on any more treatments, I don't take meds or go to therapy anymore. But that was my choice after trying many different treatments over the years. I'd respect anyone who makes that same choice. I can't tell anyone what to do but if anyone hasn't given any treatments a try, then i would encourage them to give it a chance. However, all treatments have risks and benefits to weigh up so i understand it's a personal choice and I wouldn't push people into it if it's not something they want.

 

[thebookofdisquiet]

Not in a million years, I refuse to let anyone else opine on my mind, I don't even agree with the definitions of what is a "sick and abnormal" person, much less with medication messing with my brain.

 

[Soulless Angel]

I don't either as a whole are helpful and I could chose neither, yet if there was a safe combination of the two, maybe that is something that could work
Being admitted to a ward is worse then a prison cell, least in a prison cell you have things to do, yet in the UK everything is bare with nothing to keep your mind distracted from the reason you are there.
Combine therapy with a weekend stay, a few day's stay, intensive treatment, working together not against each other, find a middle ground then maybe these options become viable

 

[H.O.Xan]

Neither of these help