I left work in January 2006. I spent the next 11 months in a psychiatric hospital. I have seen at least a dozen psychiatrists, several psychologists, various therapists, nurses, etc.
I have been on almost every anti-depressant on the market (including some interesting combos as well as other medication to counteract the side effects of the anti-depressants.
Over the last week or so, I've been thinking about life (the universe and everything will have to wait...). Our experiences shape us. So, how has being on disability and a perpetual patient changed me? Don't expect any great insights - I'm working on it.
If I had never been hospitalized, I wouldn't have been assaulted by a male nurse, I wouldn't have met a great kid who ended up taking his life in the hospital, I wouldn't be able to just laugh when the other option is to freak out because of the craziness enveloping me.
Even when I haven't been a psych patient, I spent a good chunk of 2007 dealing with other medical issues. Add morphine to clonazepam and I will show you a very unproductive person. Granted, my back was so bad, I could barely walk. But, I was so drugged, I scarcely remember that year.
