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ePaper created 2014-12-04, 01:15:59 | version 1.33.01
4 Being In The Hospital You either already have been, or eventually will be, in the hospital. Even if it is only for a day or so to sleep off a bad episode, bipolar folks tend to spend some time in the hospital. The biggest thing to remember is that it’s not a big deal! Being in the hospital can even be fun. It is boring every now and then, but being able to talk to the other patients, getting their perspective on life and mental illness, can be extremely enlightening. While you’re in the hospital the best thing to do is make friends, sleep as much as you need to, and participate in as much therapy as possible. Remember not to be violent, listen to the facilitators, and let your doctor in on everything that’s going through your mind. The ability to deal with your doctor is a skill that is acquired over time. After being in the hospital five times and dealing with several doctors, I’ve realized that there is one key ingredient to establishing a wonderful relationship with him/her – the truth! Speak nothing but the truth to your doctor. Let him know absolutely everything. He’s there to help, he’s there to help you avoid having to come back, and he’s there to improve your life in the long run. Lying to your doctor is a big mistake, mainly because it will probably result in him/her setting you up with the wrong medication and therapy regimen. Trust me…what you want more than anything is to get treated properly. Walking out of the hospital with the wrong treatment program is a TERRIBLE thing. This is a road you definitely don’t want to go down, so tell the truth. Make friends! There’s nothing that the hospital staff wants more than seeing you getting along with all of the other patients. Not only does this improve your image to the people who are in control, but also it’s fun! Being able to talk to everyone and have conversations about your lives is a very important component to enjoying your time in the hospital. Patients not only want to open up, but you can LEARN from them! Most of the patients will probably be older than you, so they will usually have some decent insight into mental illness. Plus, it will give you an opportunity to TALK ABOUT YOUR OWN PROBLEMS!!! And there is nothing better while