Spoon University Logo
photo 1497110781426 d735b42692bb?ixlib=rb 1.2
photo 1497110781426 d735b42692bb?ixlib=rb 1.2
Lifestyle

What Happened When I Went Back to the Hospital

Two days out from being back in the hospital, and I’m choosing to share my story. It’s so important that mental health is discussed, and I have no problem sharing my personal story. Writing this is no easy task either, but if this article helps one person out, that’s all that’s needed to put a smile on my face.

How did I end up in the hospital?

Photo by pina messina on Unsplash
Unsplash on unsplash

Two weeks ago, I was on a FaceTime call with a therapist. I had mentioned to her that I wanted to overdose on my lexapro that I’m no longer on. In that moment, to be quite frank, I gave no sh!ts. The therapist that I was speaking with informed me that I could’ve gone into an SSRI induced coma via SSRI Syndrome, but I didn’t care…. eventually, it got to the point where she told me to go to the hospital. So I did, very early on a Saturday morning with the company of my friend by my side… after we got bagels, of course.

What happened in the hospital?

Photo by Brandon Holmes on Unsplash
Unsplash on unsplash

When I was transferred to the hospital up in White Plains from the emergency room, I initially went to 4N (short for Four North). My stay there was short since I didn’t like it, and I was then transferred back to 5N (short for Five North). In total, I spent 10 days in the hospital… talk about the longest 10 days of my entire life. 

For the most part, I received my meds (including nicotine gum) daily and was fed pretty well; the hospital that I went to served us three meals and two snacks a day. There were groups (aka group therapy), and music blared on the hallway speakers from time to time. We had a day room that served as our living room, where people would get together to play on the two iPads that were available, in addition to using the Wii that was available to us. On the floor, there were three phones for everyone to use. Thankfully none of them were broken like myself, although one of them was very static-y. In the back by my room was a television for people to watch and bond over. Otherwise, there wasn’t much to do. Boring, I know.

During the weekdays, I’d meet with my team, which consisted of my doctor and my social worker. What they’d do is discuss how I’m feeling, my progress, my medication, my discharge plan, and my treatment for after the hospital. The current plan is for me to be in therapy twice a week and to follow up regularly with my nurse practitioner, since she manages my meds.

If anyone that I know is reading this article, please know that I’m fine. Don’t worry, I’ll be ok. My lexapro has gone away somewhere, and may it rest in peace, but I’m no longer in close proximity to it. To the four therapists that I saw before seeing my current therapist…. thank you. I might not have been the best client of yours, and you might’ve wanted to pull your hair out at times while dealing with me, but thank you. 

Liz is a 25-year-old freelance writer that's based in Brooklyn, New York with her foster cat, Leif. Liz has received her start in the media world at Spoon University, and has acquired over 3.8 million views on her Spoon articles alone with millions more views on her syndicated content while finding her appreciation for consuming and producing branded content. Liz also has her articles syndicated on Business Insider, Insider, MSN, and Teen Vogue in addition to having her most popular article cited by Elite Daily. Liz has also contributed to YourTango and Entrepreneur.When Liz isn't writing, Liz is probably listening to music, walking around aimlessly like the hot mess that she is, cuddling with her cat, consuming new food dishes and drinks, at an event, at therapy with her one and only therapist that she absolutely adores, at an appointment with someone from her medical team, making up random dance moves in her bedroom, or figuring out what to do with herself. Liz's favorite cheese is feta and a pet peeve of hers is when people don't use the word "simultaneously" in the right manner.To get in touch with Liz, she can be reached at itslizab@gmail.com, @astrrisk on Instagram, and on LinkedIn. Liz is always down to be invited to an event or to talk about food, booze, and mental health. Liz's pronouns are she/her/hers.Please be patient when getting in touch with Liz - she probably is unaware as to what day it is, and might be dancing for her therapist.... to the Macarena, of course.