Anyone been to rehab for depression/anxiety?

[midnightdeirdre]

As the forum title says, I am curious who has ever been to rehab for depression and/or anxiety issues. I suffer from both myself; I have a counselor & take a medication. However, I'm beginning to feel that genuine rehabilitation would be good for me.

 

Please explain how the program worked and how it helped you recover from your problem. Thank you!

[ut804]

when i was 12 years old i was depressed because i got teased at school. my parents brought me to a psychologist. they thought i was suicidal (i wasnt though) and they admitted me against my will to a mental hospital.

 

my gosh it was horrible, but thats because i was 12 and scared and admitted against my will. they forced me to take meds, i was put in such a plain room, the shower didn't work right, etc. i only got a little therapy, i don't even remember getting much therapy. the food was horrible, i didn't eat much and then they thought i was anorexic. they had such strict rules. in the whole week i was there i never even was allowed to go outside. and the scariest thing was they wouldn't release me until they thought i was better! so i could of been stuck in there my whole life.

 

i learned on my own to recover from my problems lol. i would never ever want to go back there. i was away from family and friends and my hobbies and normal life. this place was depressing with crazy people (I witnessed a lot of fights).

 

but you know i guess it all depends on the place. plus, you are older and want to go there, so im sure your experience would be much better than mine. and i say thats great you are willing to get help.

[midnightdeirdre]

Thank you for saying it's great that I'm willing to get help. I'm so sorry you had a sh*tty experience at that hospital. It doesn't sound like you were at a rehab center at all, but the psychiatric section at a regular hospital. But if you weren't suicidal or anorexic, why didn't you tell them that?

[midnightdeirdre]

Here is the link to the rehab center I am considering going to: link removed

[chitown9]

Hi Autumnrose. I don't have any personal experience with such a rehab place; however, I did check out the website that you provided. I was impressed with what I read here. I wish I knew there was such a place during my mom's lifetime because she was depressed and suffered from high anxiety. My mother passed away 2 years ago, but suffered these conditions through out her lifetime and she too tried to battle them. I did everything that I could do to help her. I think what I did to help her is I researched depression and anxiety and it gave me understanding of her conditions. My understanding of her illness gave me the ability to cope with her high anxiety in which I was often the receiver of. One thing that I learned in my research is anxiety is a biproduct of depression.

 

I also think my mom felt some comfort in knowing that I totally "got" what she was going through. Many people don't get it.

 

This looks like an excellent facility and the people there definitely get it as well. The staff and the residents ALL get it. You may even meet some longtime friends there. You won't know if this residency program is what they claim to be until you have experience with it. I, personally, think it is the real deal. I sincerely hope it is for your sake. Please let us know all about it when you finish your residency. Best wishes to you sweetie....

[midnightdeirdre]

Thank you, chitown9. Much appreciated! Also, have u read my other threads? I ask because you seem concerned about me, lol. Again, thank you!!

[Ariel85]

People really go in-patient when they can no longer cope with their lives/are suicidal, etc. Most of the time in-patient is spent having the docs work with meds to get the patient adjusted and evened out enough to go back to their lives. Where they will still need to see a therapist, take meds, etc.

 

If you are able to function, are taking meds, seeing a good therapist, then going to a place like this is only going to set you back. WAY back. Inpatient is what you do when you need some serious intervention, and that doesn't sound like you by a long shot.

[midnightdeirdre]

People really go in-patient when they can no longer cope with their lives/are suicidal, etc. Most of the time in-patient is spent having the docs work with meds to get the patient adjusted and evened out enough to go back to their lives. Where they will still need to see a therapist, take meds, etc.

 

If you are able to function, are taking meds, seeing a good therapist, then going to a place like this is only going to set you back. WAY back. Inpatient is what you do when you need some serious intervention, and that doesn't sound like you by a long shot.

 

I have had many days where my emotions become too much to handle, and I breakdown and start crying. I fear sometimes that I will hurt myself. So I think this wouldn't be too bad of an idea at all.

[Ariel85]

I have had many days where my emotions become too much to handle, and I breakdown and start crying. I fear sometimes that I will hurt myself. So I think this wouldn't be too bad of an idea at all.

 

Yeah - the brochure sounds all lovely and like a nice vacation, but the reality is that it is far more like what UT804 said. It is not a nice place to be. Not by a long shot.

 

I would recommend talking to your doc about adjusting your meds before you consider a place like this. Seriously view it a last resort, like the last option before you can't function. I so know what you mean about feeling like you're at the breaking point. When I OD'd and a was a raging mess afterwards (and I couldn't function - like, couldn't work, was pretty much catatonic, etc.), I too thought the idea of being inpatient seemed like a great option. I am SO thankful my family talked me out of it, and I found alternative treatments.

 

The goal is to stay on the OUTSIDE of a place like that as much as you possibly can. Talk to you doc first.

[metrogirl]

Years ago when I was extremely depressed and suicidal (I just realized I don't think I have ever shared that part of my life here with anyone), I checked myself into this place.

 

link removed

 

I was so very grateful to everyone there, they really helped me cope and deal with everything that was going on in my life. I went to group sessions, I was allowed to roam the property. If you look at the pictures, you can see why I was so at peace there.

 

Facilities like the one you are interested in and the one I was at have come a long way over the years. They aren't the scary places we see in movies like 'one flew over the cucoo's nest'.

[chitown9]

Also, have u read my other threads? I ask because you seem concerned about me!

 

I have not read your other threads, but I will now I have seen some of your posts in the past and I think they offered exellent insights. I am concerned about anyone who suffers in anyway. I think that is why I went back to college at the age of 62 to obtain a certificate in substance abuse. I reply to thread regarding substance abuse because I feel I have something to offer on the subject.

 

Please do give a report after you experience this residency program. I want to know if it helped you and if the answer is yes, then I would have a good reference for anyone I encounter that suffers the afflictions. Best wishes...chi

[midnightdeirdre]

I know you mean well, but what made you so sure that rehab places are bad?

[midnightdeirdre]

Years ago when I was extremely depressed and suicidal (I just realized I don't think I have ever shared that part of my life here with anyone), I checked myself into this place.

 

link removed

 

I was so very grateful to everyone there, they really helped me cope and deal with everything that was going on in my life. I went to group sessions, I was allowed to roam the property. If you look at the pictures, you can see why I was so at peace there.

 

Facilities like the one you are interested in and the one I was at have come a long way over the years. They aren't the scary places we see in movies like 'one flew over the cucoo's nest'.

 

Thank you for this insight.

[chitown9]

Thank you, chitown9. Much appreciated! Also, have u read my other threads? I ask because you seem concerned about me, lol. Again, thank you!!

 

No, I have not checked out your other threads. I will now I am concerned about you and anyone who suffers. I guess that is the reason I went back to college to achieve a certificate in substance abuse.

 

Please give us a full report of your experience at this facility. If you give a good report I will keep the information to refer anyone I may encounter who can benefit by their program.

[Ariel85]

I know you mean well, but what made you so sure that rehab places are bad?

 

My own experience, and also that of two close friends. It's not the Holiday Inn, and it's not a goal you want to work towards. I really encourage you to try harder to work things out before you end up there. Call your doc and see about adjusting your meds. I really would consider it a last resort.

 

Remember - once you go in, you'll still have to function on your own afterwards. And that will be pretty much like where you are now.