apologies and an explanation
I made a post last Sunday, the 6th. I re-read the post and still agree with most I said,but I worded it brutally. And used some extra punctuation, I agree. I apologize to anyone I made angry.
Now I will explain and hopefully help someone in the process. I have been fighting major depression for over 2 years. I see my psyche each week, unless we are vacation, or she is. AS I sit now, obviously, Sunday was the beginning of my biggest meltdown ever. On Monday, I fell off the "no booze wagon", HARD. I was still able to recognize I wasn't right and called 911. They came and I went with them without issue.
I am now home from my first in-patient visit to a mental health facility. I have never been arrested, and after this stay, I never will be!
As a person who has worked in medical field most my life, and a number of years with challenged folks, such as my daughter. I was absolutely appalled. Not at the conditions of facility, but at the treatment of patients. At what was presented to me as a patient. Choices that I was trying to be led to by so called "drs." Med Changes, trying to get my to sign voluntarily into 28 day in patient programs that had nothing to do with my illness. I could write pages of examples that I noted while there. I was immediately aware that I had to take charge of me while there. I stood up against the med changes, my psyche team and I have spent 2 years trying to zero in on dosages, mode of intake, as I have had gastric bypass, to get me closer to better than I have been in a long time. Someone who had met me 10 minutes ago,wanted to change meds and throw that all away. They continued to move the "goal posts" of "when you can go home" each day. It was the basic topic of discussion at every meal. ( which,btw, I asked for meals to my physical condition and was denied. So I lost another 7 pounds while there. 7 I don't have to lose)
My point is simple, this facility had a one size fits all plan, because they, as I saw, deal with most people, who tend to be homeless, or truly disabled mentally, as they knew and compared other facilities in my area. On each day, each patient saw a true professional for less than 10 minutes. The rest of time was empty. Yes, they had what was labeled as "Group Therapy" which each day was something s playing poker,(ie; math skills) painting with water colors(artistic expression), or watching movies ( diversity education). I know these terms because the one group I learned to trust, after a few carefully chosen inquiries, was the RN's. They became the truth to me and they hated what they had to do too.
In the spirit of me trying to be short speaking, 2 final thoughts;
First, I am appalled at for profit medical even more now!
Secondly, and more important in my mind, those of you who read,responded, and thought about my original post. You witnessed a mental health breakdown. Mine. I only ask if you know someone and see changes, just help! please do not ignore.
I make no excuses for myself, and I thank all DU for a place to talk about anything.
Koz
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