Author Topic: Experiences of day hospital  (Read 4855 times)

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Offline willow

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Experiences of day hospital
« on: July 03, 2013, 01:12:18 PM »
Hi all,

Just wondered if anyone had any experiences of day hospital you were happy to share? It is something I've recently been 'threatened' with  :;):  so just wondered if others had found if helpful, or not, and what it involved?

Thanks   :hug2: 
The quiet scares me because it screams the truth

Offline Tallulah

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Re: Experiences of day hospital
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2013, 05:37:55 PM »
It saved my life.

I had made multiple serious attempts at my life, was admitted to day hospital where the structure of activities such as craft, combined with easy access to a psych and therapy where a huge part of my recovery. I'm now working full time and generally stable. Hugely beneficial experience.

Offline unknown_member

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Re: Experiences of day hospital
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2013, 05:43:38 PM »
I found it really helpful too... you get to know the staff and find which ones you can talk to easily.. and they assign you with someone each day so you can chat if you need too.. they also organised day trips and walks etc which was nice as I was finding it hard to motivate myself at the time...

they encouraged me to take up painting again and let me loose in the art room for as long as I wanted ...

they were all very friendly and encouraging... after a while I started to get bored there and that's when we decided I was well enough to start coping alone again... (with the support of CMHT)

I would definitely recommend giving it a go... it's not like hospital at all... people are generally not as ill as they are in hospital so I didn't find it as triggering/alarming... and there were alot less people for the amount of staff... so I always felt safe .. (unlike when I was sectioned)...

Hope your OK Willow ... (I used to be bluegem, don't know if you remember me) xx
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Offline riot-grrrl

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Re: Experiences of day hospital
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2013, 12:27:20 AM »
Whilst I was at my undergrad uni I was encouraged to take a year out and attend a day hospital type programme, five days a week. It sounded like it would have been helpfull for me at the time, but I couldn't take the time away from university so i passed it over. Have you been given much information about the services it offers etc? Would it be something you could give the time commitent to? It's positive that there are treatment options avilable to you, I hope that you find something that helps hun xxxx
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Offline willow

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Re: Experiences of day hospital
« Reply #4 on: July 04, 2013, 06:10:24 PM »
Thank you for sharing your experiences   :) 

Of course I remember you Jewel  :frying pan:  hope you are doing okay xx

A couple of you mentioned craft - was there anything else activity wise or just craft based activities? 

Riot-grrrl if I did ever go to the day hospital I'd need someone to look after my kids as neither of them go to nursery or anything so I'm sceptical. They are the things that mean I'm still here at the moment so the thought of being without them all day makes me really anxious and I would have thought would surely make me worse and therefore rule out any possible positive benefits of the day hospital? I don't  know.... I'll see what happens.
The quiet scares me because it screams the truth

Offline hell0insanity

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Re: Experiences of day hospital
« Reply #5 on: July 04, 2013, 07:39:53 PM »
Would somebody explain to me what day hospital actually is? Do you stay there or go home at night, ect?xxx

Offline unknown_member

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Re: Experiences of day hospital
« Reply #6 on: July 04, 2013, 08:11:20 PM »
I think it's understandable that you don't want to leave your children not having children myself I don't know what it's like to leave them.... but I know a few people attending when I was there had children (not sure how old they were though) and they found the break away from them refreshing ... a time when they could look after themselves for a while...

I'm not sure about where you are, but the one I attended were very flexible on hours I attended, I didn't have to stay 10-3 if I didn't want to.. I would sometimes just agree to go for an hour or two? so maybe you could start with that if you could find a sitter?

there were computers there to play on the internet with, and there were plenty of board games the staff were happy to do with you.. also there were films/TV... relaxation and meditation type classes... there was also a personal trainer and gym equipment for the more active people! there was also a music room.. don't know if any of that appeals to you?

maybe ask if you can go in for a look around and find out more?  so you have a clearer idea in your head what it is they offer.. ?
Anxiety Girl!! Able to jump to the worst possible conclusion in a single bound..

Offline Tallulah

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Re: Experiences of day hospital
« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2013, 08:18:54 PM »
We had craft, clay, cooking, crisis management and 1-1. Plus a room where patients could socialise.

Offline Frozen

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Re: Experiences of day hospital
« Reply #8 on: July 04, 2013, 09:13:01 PM »
I've been in inpatient and day hospital for the last 7 months for anorexia and depression. It's been challenging, you do have to really face issues head on rather than trying to avoid them (something I'm very guilty of) but having the access to therapy and support throughout the day has saved my life. We have groups during the day- some of them being arts and craft, others being CBT groups, others just checking in and working through day to day challenges. There's also 1-2-1s, occupational therapy (things like reintegrating into the community, sorting out benefits, going food shopping etc) and chances to meet with the whole team to discuss what might be helpful to your care. I've found also that being with other people who are going through similar can be, although difficult at times, so helpful in alleviating some of the isolation.
There's also things to do like watching films, "community" meetings, newspaper groups and lots of stuff to keep you occupied.
Life is like playing a violin in public and learning the instrument as one goes on.
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