Partial hospitalization for depression

September 29, 2017 12:04 PM

I will be starting a partial hospitalization program next week Tuesday for depression and anxiety. If you have experience with programs like this, what can I expect? What are the days like? How intense is it likely to be? What else do I need to know?
posted by altopower to Health & Fitness (3 answers total)

At least from experience, you go to the program site in the morning and don't leave until the afternoon.It's 5 days a week. There are multiple groups on subjects ranging from art therapy, substance abuse, codependency etc. The groups are at certain times on certain days. You usually get hand outs from each group so you might want to bring a folder and a pen. You meet with a therapist a few times a week.
It's semi intense because of all the time you spend there. It's basically mental health school. The nicest thing is the consistency and the fact that you start getting to know people that have similar issues. I hope it helps you a lot.
posted by starlybri at 4:23 PM on September 29, 2017 [1 favorite]

Programs can wildly vary . If your comfortable the name or f the hospital would may more concrete answers, and/or you know the modalities they are using like DBT or CBT.

You will be oriented to the program. It is not expected you understand what's going on at first.

Part of the feelings of intensity are going to be very personal. If you have severe depressing getting to and from the program can be intense. Or if you are very anxious just being there could be really intense.

Be open and honest with staff so they can support you .

PHP is really tiring. You will need rest and downtime, try not to plan much outside of PHP especially at first.
posted by AlexiaSky at 7:50 PM on September 29, 2017

I did the same PHP a few times. Honestly, what was most helpful about it was that it forced me to get out of bed and dressed and be somewhere and be alert and participate. The program itself was hit or miss because of the makeup of the groups I'd be in--prepare for all kinds of personalities. I don't think the program I did was a very good one and I really hope yours is, so I don't want to talk too much about what was wrong with mine. But, yes, there will be groups. We had groups on CBT and stress management and things like that.

One weird piece of advice--be mindful of how you dress, especially if you're female. What is considered "too revealing" there usually would not be considered revealing elsewhere, and I've been asked to change into scrubs.

I hope none of this scares you off. It's really good that you're trying the PHP to improve your situation, and I know there are some great programs out there.
posted by mermaidcafe at 6:25 AM on September 30, 2017