Just out of the Hospital?
Here are some tips:
- Try to recreate the hospital environment at home so that you can ease back into life. Hospitals can be traumatic, but they can also be comforting. There is a routine with set meal times and doctor rounds. Structure helps so much when you get out of the hospital.
- Forget the guilt. Just let it go. I mean this. You went to the hospital because you were sick. If anyone is telling you otherwise, tell them they have to mess with me! People who are seriously physically ill go to the hospital and their loved ones feel relief that the person is safe. A person goes to a psych ward and everyone gets freaky scared! You went to the hospital because you have a physical illness called bipolar disorder and it got a bit too strong for you to take care of it on your own.
Going to the hospital is a sign of strength. Good for you! Now it’s time to get a plan to manage this illness so that you don’t have to go back.
Julie
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Indeed I am just out of the hospital. I actually feel very good and am functioning at a very high level, which surprises me because this is not anything like my previous experiences of being hospitalized for mania. Also so far no signs of the debilitating depression and anxiety that has followed in the past… we’ll see. I’m hoping that my going on Lithium has indeed saved me from some of the more severe after effects of psychotic mania. I won’t count myself as out of the woods until I’ve been feeling good and balanced for several months, though.
Anyway, just wanted to say, YES. Structure is so important. And not only when just out of the hospital. When one can’t depend on stable moods, a stable schedule is so helpful!! I guess given that this illness is one we have to manage all the time even when we’re not feeling symptomatic means giving ourselves “medical” attention on a regular basis. Three meals a day. Six to eight hours sleep. And prescriptions for so many other kinds of everyday medicine to keep things in balance — time with friends, time outside, time alone, time for paying the bills and doing the laundry. I’ve learned to take comfort in these things that I used to think were unimportant, unpleasant or a waste of time and energy.
Thanks for the support and the reminder that having an illness and going to the hospital for it is nothing to be ashamed of.
Michele
You ladies Rock!!! Thank you for putting it all into words for me to keep and use when I don’t have my own.
WOW!! What a relief! so far this year, I have had 4 hospital stays. I just returned home on friday of last week.I am now on lamictal and abilify and a regimen of other meds. I started feeling better by the weekend. I was afraid as could be that I was released. I also have social anxiety that keeps me introverted. I try to go out and I turn around and come back in.
Ok, can someone tell me what is the deal ? You try being honest, telling someone you are suicidal,the next thing you know, they all look at you like you’re a freak! Well, my first hospiatal stay was me being hypo-manic. Then I went into a depression and 3 more hospital stays were required. I have to do some hard work so this doesn’t happen again. Did I mention there are a few people living here ? My niece, her husband and daughter, my 2 girls , my grandson, and myself all live here.
One thing I forgot.Julie, thank you so very much for all of your help. I am 52 and don’t have this bipolar issue down thoroughly so I am open to any and all info . My ability to concentrate is bad but I shall try to understand what everyone does. Julie, you’re the best ! Thanks for everything
Hi Guys,
wow, I love these comments! My dear friend Sherri, who has bipolar I just went to a day program for two weeks. It was incredibly helpful- there was so much structure. Hospitals really are very structured- people forget how important that is. A.G I am glad you have family support. I agree that the way we treat suicidal thoughts is ridiculous- they are a part of an illness. It’s so important we never forget that. Going to the hospital for suicidal thoughts is BRAVE! good for you.
Julie