Hospital setting

[Paz]

 I guess this is med related, since it is a treatment facility.....I read about the man who started it and his approach to treating mental illness, and if I have to go to Hospital, then this is the one I would go to.

 http://www.austenriggs.org/

[Paz]

 Here is a link to wiki for info about the treatment center, and it tells about the way they approach treatment for mental illness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austen_Riggs_Center

[Dreamline]

Yeah that's pretty interesting, as long as they let my dog stay w/ me.

[Paz]

 That would be a requirement for me as well.

[Phyllis]

Looks a little "snazzy" If money were no option, I think this place would be nice.

[Paz]

 I guess it is a bit "snazzy" miz coffee, but so am I?!   

 They do take all kinds of insurance though. They will talk to you about different forms of payment and other sorts of arrangements.

 I'm not saying that I feel the need to go to Hospital, but if I ever have to, this is where I would go.

[Phyllis]

Indeed you are Miz Tea, indeed you are. We are supposed to be getting new phones this weekend!!! I'll be able to give you a ringy dingy next week if you are up to it.

[Paz]

   

[donna14]

Do you guys consider me "treatment resistent"?  That does not sound good.

Donna

[Phyllis]

that all depends... how are you doing now? do you feel that any of the treatment you received (including the ECT) helped you in any way?

[k]

i had avoided reading about this hospital.  i kinda knew what it might be from the start and it is.   it is a place that in some form should be available to as many people as possible.  a supportive, safe, understanding environment for me far out ways drug benefits.   i believe the biggest problem in mental health is that drugs by themselves can for some people just make things worse in the long run.  i'm not at all against drugs.  but,  here we are rick and i,  unable to work, unable to pay bills, because of our illness cut off almost completely by family and friends and now a non existent mental health system.   we both are horribly addicted to the drugs the doctors told us would help.  i remember how hard i fought taking these drugs.  over and over i pleaded with the pdoc not to let me become addicted.   i actual felt that i was bad for NOT taking them.     a trip to the county hospital is actually detrimental it is such (and i'm not exaggerating) a horrible place.    they have 8 beds for those able to function.  the rest are for 4pt restraints, isolation, and non stop screaming.  there are about 6 security to 1 staff.  it's simply one step to below jail.  and staff has been reduced to the attitude of jailers of "difficult" people. for a very anxious frightened person it's worse than anything else imaginable.  to top things off before they medicate you - even if you bring your own bottles of prescribed meds with the doc's name and how to take it -  they have to do their own evaluation.  in my case it was 3 days without any psych  meds (wondering about just the xanax withdrawals)  rick recently went in with his prescriptions in tow and was immediately told by the medical staff they were not comfortable giving him his prescribed morphine for severe backpain  - which he has been on for years.  no matter how much i pleaded with staff about him going into withdrawals they blew me off.  in the mean time rick began withdrawals.   how he held it together for 2 more nights until he could get out was sure courage.   
i just called austin/riggs.  no medicare. and we're way too poor. 
some people will say we didn't ask for help.  some will say help was there and we didn't look for it.  some will say we want a permanent solution to a passing problem. some will say we didn't actually want to save ourselves.   but, we looked.  we asked.  and it's not a passing problem.    i m tried so tired.  i cry. i just can't believe this happening.    sorry should have put under babble....

[Paz]

 I am sorry if the info about this facility was upsetting......I really wanted to let people know that there are hospital settings that are not all about locking you up and over-medicating. This place [and others like it] use more talk therapy, coping skills, self awareness techniques, structured activities, and yes, Meds as well. They just try and use less Meds, and they promote a safe, understanding and compassionate environment. Their goal is to get you feeling as well and as capable to deal with life as they possibly can. Sometimes it takes a lot of therapy and living in a controlled but relaxed environment for awhile until one is able to function and have a happier life in the "real world".

 I realize that this is an expensive place, they do take some insurance, but they do require a large cash payment at the beginning, which is a very difficult proposition for many. There are other places with a similar approach to treatment, and I will try and find out more about them. I know there is one in Vermont, in the countryside. I will post more info about other places when I get a chance.

 Try & have courage K, I will do my best to find one that is closer to you & Rick. I hope there is one, as they all seem to be on the east coast. Hang in there....

[k]

paz, i am glad that you did post this hospital.   this is actually the way things use to be like.  not quite so nice in appearance but the same attitude.   lots of therapy and support and time in a safe environment.   i don't really know exactly what happened.   like i said before we had an incredible hospital in the country.  and we had private hospitals that took both medicare and medicaid (if you had both) and they were great.  there has to be a better way.
thanks paz!