Time for professionals?

[bbaggins]

My wife suffers from severe anxiety, depression, has been diagnosed as being biploar and has a multitude of other personality disorders (according to our PCP), and - we believe - she also has fibromyalgia. She has been trying to get through things on her own, with my help of course, but it always ends up with her falling back into her rut, and leaves me worn out from trying to help her and stay sane at the same time.

We've seen a psychiatrist, a therapist, our PCP and a few other doctors, but all they do is give her prescriptions and send her home. So, she's finally decided that she can't do it on her own and wants professional help.

My question is, what do we do at this point? Do we check her into a nursing home? Do we put her in a mental health facility? Do we get in-home health care? She's not a threat to herself or others, so I certainly don't want to baker act her or anything like that. I'm just not quite sure what to do at this point, and would love some advice from others that have been through the same or similar situation.

Thanks!

[sweetmaye2012]

I believe your wife needs a professional help. Being supportive is very helpful to her. You might consider putting her in a mental institution that could help her resume herself and be able to function as a mentally healthy individual as before. Try to talk to her as often as you can..just to make her express herself. Diversion techniques, music etc. could really help.. Or may also consider introducing things like her hobbies before to occupy her instead of thinking negative things...I experienced depression before but had overcomed it.... I think it varies and depends on every individual but just have faith....

[nursegirl6572]

Inpatient psychiatric care has its place and is appropriate in many different scenarios.

I agree with thatquietgirl that if she isn't a threat to herself or others, then institutionalizing her would be a bit severe, at this point.  

You need to keep trying therapists and doctors until she finds the "right fit".  What meds has she tried?  Did she take the meds long enough to truly give them a chance?  The problem with the meds typically prescribed for these kinds of conditions is that people often throw in the towel way too soon.

You can also start buying books about these conditions for BOTH of you to read.  There are amazing books out there.  I would ask her doc or therapist to make some recommendations.

Certainly, a brief hospital stay may become necessary at some point, primarily to get her on a good medication regimen, but it doesn't sound like all possibilities have been exhausted as an outpatient yet.  A common misconception about psych hospitals is that they are ONLY for people who are a danger to themselves.  While that is a BIG reason for hospitalization, it is not the only one.  

The important thing is...you wife wants to get better....which means she is probably really going to work at it.  She may not have given it her "all" before now.  The decision on how to proceed is up to you....my advice is to start with a new perspective from a new doc and new therapist.

Best of luck to your wife.  Please update us when you can.

[thatquietgirl]

Keep trying to find a good therapist.  Sometimes it takes a few to find one that clicks and cares enough to teach you coping mechanisms to help when you're in an episode and help you track things in such a way you can recognize your triggers for an episode and avoid them.

If she is not a threat to herself and others, then I wouldn't put her in a mental hospital.  It's not an experience to just go through unless you need to.  It's not fun at all, and you may end up paying out the wazoo for next to nothing.  And in-home health care is not necessary for a mental illness so long as she can care for herself.  She just needs to keep trying to find a good therapist.  Maybe even consider group therapy during the search (in addition to individual).