Sign up for our newsletter

Over 175 articles on:

• Mood, anxiety
• Treatments
• Medications
• Lifestyles
• The system
• Book reviews
• People

Help support Mood --
$1/month for a year?

Bookstore

©Moodletter, 2008
For people living with mood and anxiety disorders and others who want to be happier and healthier. Moodletter is a non-profit organization.

Who will be informed about my hospitalization?
"My employer didn't know anything except that I had been on medical leave," said Jake. "The EAP had arranged everything. I did choose to tell my boss about it, to keep him in the loop. He was very understanding."

No one will be notified about your hospitalization without your permission, except your insurance company. If you don't want to tell friends and co-workers you were in a psychiatric hospital, you can tell them you went in "for a tune-up" and thank them for their concern. In an ideal world, everyone would be informed and understanding about mental illness. Unfortunately, that's not the case. You may want to be prudent about who you confide in.

What happens when I am discharged?
Once your condition is more stable, your psychiatrist may recommend a day treatment program. This can be an effective choice even for people who haven't been in in-patient care. This type of partial hospitalization provides individual and group psychotherapy, help with vocational and educational needs, and other services to help patients learn to cope better at home, at work and in social interactions. You will return home at night and on weekends.

After you are at home, take time to get better. Ask for help when you need it. Practice relaxation techniques and learn what triggers bring on your symptoms. Keep appointments with your doctor and try to take your medication as prescribed. Find out about support groups and find a therapist you are comfortable working with. Care for yourself as anyone recovering from a serious medical condition - get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet and try to exercise. Read books that will help you and your family members learn more about your illness.

Friends and family members may be uncomfortable and uncertain about what to say or do around you. Try to be open and honest with them. There may be hurts that need to be healed because of things that were said and done when you were very ill.

"If it weren't for the hospital" said Jake," I wouldn't be here today."

For help in finding a mental health facility: National Mental Health Information Center

Related articles
Crisis planning
Patient rights

Sources
Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
American Psychiatric Association
Group therapy photo courtesy Mary Jane Hooper, MS

More articles