Wednesday, November 24, 2010

I feel that an update is in order

Definitely. A lot has happened since my last post (12 days ago!). The biggest thing is that I checked myself into the hospital on Thursday night (November 18th) and was there for four days. I went to a counseling session on Thursday at 3 pm, and was completely honest with my therapist (I had been lying to her about the suicidal part and how seriously I was cutting, among other things). Because of everything I told her and the fact that I have been spiraling downwards during the past month, she and I agreed that the safest place for me would be the hospital. I didn't feel safe with myself and she didn't feel safe leaving me alone over the weekend. So I checked into the hospital on Thursday night at 7 pm.

It was actually quite nice! The ward I was in was an inpatient psychiatric and addictions ward. I had a roommate who was detoxing from alcohol. She was super nice, as were all the other patients. The nurses were all very welcoming and the therapists were nice too. I was terrified at first, and sort of in denial that I was in a hospital, but I got over that eventually. On Friday, I saw the psychiatrist, who upped my dose of Lexapro from 10mg daily to 20mg daily. I started feel better from that change on Sunday. Other than that, the biggest helps were the massive amounts of group therapy and just being around others who were dealing with the same issues. I had group therapy 5 to 6 times per day. Each session was about something different, like boundaries, communication skills, or something similar. I made a few good friends, too, and I have a few phone numbers and email addresses from people I met in the hospital.

Overall it was a good decision for me. I was discharged on Monday morning and resumed classes yesterday. The biggest thing I learned is that I need to ask for help before it gets too crazy and I need to be in a hospital. I learned that people really don't mind helping me, and in fact, they want to help me! Crazy, right? I'm really glad that I went in, because now I realize how serious my problems actually are and how much I need support.

I'm planning on seeing my therapist here (at school) until the end of the semester (December 15th), and then I am seeing my therapist at home on December 16th. She can refer me to a psychiatrist in Oregon, and he or she can monitor my medication better.

I'm basically just glad to be alive! Thanks to everyone who was helpful during the last few weeks (friends, sister, parents, etc). I love you all! THANK YOU.

4 comments:

  1. Glad to hear your hospital stay turned out to be a positive thing. A lot of people get uptight about having to go there, but you made it a life affirming endeavor. Good for you! Keep your chin up with this new outlook on life! I wish I could have the courage to ask when I need help. That really is a wonderful thing to have. I know I really underestimate people who are reaching out to me sometimes, or I resent people who don't reach out to help me when they don't even know I need it because I don't tell them.

    This is a wonderful thing for you, I hope you can keep it up!

    Peace

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  2. That's so great that the hospital helped, as scary as it seemed! I feel very proud of you and like I want to hug you, so imagine that I am =) If you ever feel like you need someone, I'll be here

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  3. I follow your blog all the time! So so glad to hear that you are feeling better. It's always great to talk to someone else when you feel like you did. Good for you!

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  4. Sososososooooooooooooo happy you did that for yourself! :D EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE YAY FOR LIZ LOOKING AFTER HERSELF NO MATTER HOW SCARY IT IS!!!
    Lol, I could totally knit you a really BRIGHT safety hat, so you could put it on when you'e not feeling safe. Then you could look in the mirror and laugh yourself sick at the stupidly bright hat in safety yellow, safety orange, safety green, safety pink . . . XD I'm making myself a 'Safety blanket' out of the fluro orange and yellow before it goes off the market. It's gonna me hysterical!

    *Cuddles* I hope you have a good weekend this weekend, love <3

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