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Help for my Husband!

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Posted 4/10/2012 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

This is my first time posting. My husband was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder about 4 years ago and has been struggling with EXTREME depression and  thoughts for the last 6 months. It has completely consumed his life. He has been unable to work and lost his job. He has attempted  a couple of times and has been hospitalized 8 times in the past 6 months. We just had to admit him again last night because of the severe  thoughts. (He had a plan made and had written his goodbye letters).

It breaks my heart because I know every time he goes into the hospital he is miserable and they don't really "help" him. They keep him there for a couple days, then he's out and the cycle starts over again. I'm grateful he agrees to go, but I'm not sure how much longer he will be agreeable.

He has been on SEVERAL medications (lithium, seroquel, zoloft, luvox, and many more), none seem to work but we are still trying. He did 9 rounds of ECT but discontinued them after they seemed to be doing more harm than good. (Headaches, memory loss, but no relief from the depression or suicidal thoughts).

Does anyone know of any treatment facilities in the St. Louis area that may help him? He tried doing an outpatient program after his first hospital stay, but they focused almost entirely on addiction, and he doesn't need that. Does anyone know of a program that focuses more on depression and bi-polar disorder?

He is open to anything. We looked into long-term inpatient treatment (like Depression Rehab) but they all seem to be far away and extremely expensive. Does anyone know of anything like this here in St. Louis?

We are really just looking for anything to help him. I know he grows more and more hopeless every day.

I would love any advice or recommendations you can give me!!!

Thank you!

Post Edited By Moderator (getting by) : 4/10/2012 1:44:23 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/10/2012 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
I did a quick Google Search and came up with

dmh.mo.gov/slprc/

It is the St. Louis Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center

I don't know anything about them. You might try doing your own Google Search too. The search I used was St Louis Mental Health.
Posted 4/10/2012 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for your reply. I've actually seen that online but my husband is very weary of any "state" mental hospitals since they do not have the greatest reputation. And he's had such horrible experiences with the ECT treatments, hospital stays and side effects from medications, I don't want to risk putting him in another bad situation.

I really appreciate your suggestion though!
Posted 4/10/2012 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Oh M&V- my heart just goes out to you! I can tell it's been discouraging that your husband hasn't been able to get the treatment he needs. I hope you'll continue to stay strong and not give up looking for help. One source that I've turned to in the past for referrals is Focus on the Family. I know that they can offer both in and out-patient psychiatric referrals  as well as counseling referrals throughout the U.S. The number is 855-771-HELP (4357). I can only imagine how stressful this must be for you - if you feel like it would help to have some extra support and encouragement, the counselors on staff there are available to talk with you over the phone for free. In my experience, I found them to be very kind and caring and willing to take time with me. I've since had an opportunity to work with this organization and know that you can find many good resources on their website too. Hope this helps... Take care, ok? and keep us posted on how you're doing. Praying for you...
Posted 4/10/2012 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
ColorRed,

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your input on this situation. I hope that it helps M&V. Do keep posting as we would like to get to know you better.

M&V,

My heart goes out to you too. I am sorry for your situation. I would continue to look on the internet for help. I am sorry that the state hospitals in your area aren't good. My mother was in a state hospital for years, but I was just a child then. I know when I would go there it was scarey. I haven't thought about that in a long time.

I am sorry though that I did have to edit your post a little. We aren't allowed to discuss suicide on this forum and I have to make sure that it doesn't get talked about. We can all still appreciate your situation and offer the best help we can.

I sincerely hope that things get better. And I hope that your husband gets the help that he needs. Have you tried a new psychiatrist or thought about it? It does sound like he is treatment resistant. But you never know, they come up with new meds all the time. I am presently on pristiq and abilify. The combination is working well for me which I am happy for. Please do keep us posted.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/10/2012 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
When I did the search I had quite a few hits just on the first page.

I think the best thing to do is look for options in your area and then research them for yourself. Don't go by general reputations as you may end up missing out on just exactly what you are looking for.

When trying to figure out what and where will be the best for your husband I suggest going and visiting, without your husband the first time, those facilities and conducting an interview. If you see family members visiting ask to speak with them. Also it is advisable to take along someone whose judgment you trust and who is not as close to this situation as you are so you can get a 2nd impression.
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