How do you know when you need to get help from a institution?

I have been having really bad episodes of depression, feelings of worthlessness and getting easily overwhelmed about small things. I am also struggling with irritability that makes regular life so amplified. I have had bad thoughts and know they are not from me and are the sickness but how do i know when to stop going back and forth to doctors and to just check in somewhere for help stablizing everything? I have 3 kiddos and can't afford to have them taken from me or to be away for too long.

Once you go in what happens and how long are you obligated to stay there? I am just trying to figure out what to do in case it gets really bad again. Two weeks ago my hubby almost took me to the ER for help but I was able to calm myself down after a few hours...but the back and forth emotionally is really affecting me and everyday life is harder than it should be right now. I want to be the best that I can be for my hubby and family but am worried about how long i would be gone.

Let me know if you know more about how places you go away to for help work.

Thanks

HI, JAMIE HERE.

HAVE A CHAT about YOUR OPTIONS WITH YOUR
LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH TEAM.

WITH HEALING COMPASSION.
JAMIE

Hi Spice and welcome

There is no obligation to stay a pre-determined time. I have gone for 4 days to 10 days depending on my progress. A team of psychiatrist, social worker, nurse mabe will survey your progress. I have always felt better coming out of the hospital, with better coping skills to deal w/ the overwhelming feelings and irritability (these are completely "normal" feelings for a depressive episode. I have gone in just to do a meds change before, because stopping and startuing can be difficult depending on the meds.

In the hospital, youget to concentrate on you, instead of worrying about the kids and chores etc. It is essential, as a mother too, that we take the time to get ourselves centered and stable, for our kids. My daughter misses me alot but is old enuf ow to understand better-she now wants to be a psych nurse-lol.

Anyway, if you plan it, you can make a smooth transition into the hospital and get your self on better med regime and coping skills. It has been a GOOD thing for me.

Just my two cents

Let us know

Mags

hi spice,

i wanted to contribute my experience with going into the hospital.

i have been twice. the first time was for a manic episode, the second for depression. the depression visit was last year. i'll skip the description of mania, since you're dealing with depression, except to say i was a danger to myself when i was manic and i was fortunate to have friends and a therapist who told me repeatedly "you need to go to the hospital".

now about depression. i went to the hospital when i felt i was in a black hole and there was no way out. i was in a lot of pain and it wasn't getting better. i told my psychiatrist (with whom i consulted before going in) that i had been depressed for a very long time and was just feeling worse everyday. i had had thoughts of suicide if things did not get better - and i was really afraid they would not get better.

i was in the hospital 2 weeks. that's what my insurance paid for. just my opinion, but a hospital stay is called for when you are really off the rails and need medication management and skills to cope with life. as others have said, it is really a time when you get to concentrate on you, and to learn coping skills to deal with depression.

and i agree with what someone else said about length of stay - i don't think you need to stay a full two weeks. but that is decided by you in consultation with your doctor and the staff of the hospital (who have been observing you closely during your hospital stay).

i hope you feel better and please continue to post. there are a lot of good people here, with a wealth of experience.

sincerely,

Wow!  Very interesting about the magnesium deficiency.  I've often wondered about it once when someone told me to take it after getting a foot injury--that it would help with the bruising.  I think I'll get a supplement and see if it helps.