when does ocd require hospitalization?

@OneDayAtATimee I think most of it is probably my imagination and what I imagine the hospital will do for me which while in rumination it feels so real and relieving thinking about going to the hospital. I think in my mind, everything is so distorted that I see being hospitalized as a break and a comfort, but I know in reality that most mental units in hospitals are probably way more strict and confining than what my mind sees it as. I’ve thought about an inpatient program as well because my local hospital also offers that. But I still doubt myself even when I know I’m not a threat to others because I’m terrified if I even think a thought of harming someone else that I’ll act impulsively which gets me stuck in fear.

@Summ3r_ - That makes a lot of sense and thanks for explaining :) You're right that a lot of it has to do with our imagination and our Ocd obsessions. I've heard about this fear of developing psychosis or schizophrenia from manyy people with Ocd and it's just another Ocd obession- it's not legitimate. The "relieving" feeling you have about hospitals could possibly be a compulsion. You're also right that going to a hospital isn't like a peaceful walk in the park. They are strict and some people develop trauma from their times being locked in mental facilities. Not to scare you but keep in mind that many therapists at hospitals don't even understand Ocd because they're uneducated with it so with themes like harm ocd and you fearing you're a threat to others- some workers might accidentally view that as a legitimate threat (even though it's completely not because it's just Ocd) and this has happened to people like Tracie Ibrahim, a therapist who works here and she was locked in multiple hospitals for over 10 years until she lied and said she no longer had harm (intrusive) thoughts. If they mistakenly view you as a threat, they’re gonna keep you locked and you can't just leave whenever you want. I just don't want you mistakenly going to a hospital only because Ocd makes you FEEL like you're a threat (which you're not) and then misinformed workers accidentally make you feel even more that you're a threat (which again, you're not). Btw you mentioned talk therapy so I just wanted you to be aware of something very important. Again, many therapists are uneducated with ocd so they mistakenly treat it with talk therapy, just as they would with any other anxiety disorder. But Ocd cannot be treated the same way, its veryyy different from other disorders. Ocd requires a specialized type of therapy which is "ERP," which is about RESISTING compulsions. Talk therapy is harmful for Ocd because it involves ENGAGING in compulsions (ruminating, reassurance-seeking, confessing, etc.). If you ever do go to an inpatient program- make sure it's an ERP program

@OneDayAtATimee what you said makes a lot of sense and you’re so right about the hospital thing. That kinda made me realize that going to a hospital won’t really solve the problem. But in the moment of panic I just want to push away the feelings and thoughts but I know ocd is also not very understood and for safety precautions, they probably have to treat ocd patients as real threats because they’re not educated or fond on ocd :( I don’t want to be treated as that because then it would only aid my belief and fear that I actually am crazy and a terrible person. But I’m definitely gonna try to get into erp therapy as soon as possible, because like you said talk therapy only worsens it.

@Summ3r_ You’re very right about all of that and I’m so glad I could give you some more perspective on things ❤️‍🩹 ERP definitely is a life saver and I’m confident that it’ll help you improve if you stick to it :)

@sophea Oh gosh, that sounds terrible I’m glad you were able to get through it. I’ve been in this episode or flare up since early april and it kinda foreshadowed in March because I’d have random spikes of fear and random panic attacks. I think it’s more of my fear that it’ll get so bad that I stop going to school, which I’ve started staying home some days, or that I’ll feel so sick to my stomach and feel like I don’t deserve to eat or feel relief. It may just be my mind trying to prevent this from happening? Because I feel so vulnerable? But ocd has distorted reality so much idk what’s actually a problem and what’s not. I’m wondering, if it’s okay, what did they do there? Like differing from regular therapy I know it’s more extensive but was there a specific coping skill from there that seemed to help a lot?

@Summ3r_ Nearly everybody I was there with had *literally* flunked out of school (in my case two different schools) due to OCD by the time they got institutionalized, so I'll reiterate that it probably isn't the right path for you right now. Also, there are therapy programs in between meeting with a therapist once a week and 24/7 care. If you really do decide that what you're currently doing isn't working, an intensive outpatient program (IOP) would be the next step up from what you're currently doing. Anyways, I was in an OCD specific unit (OCD/Anxiety Center Adolescent at Roger's Behavioral Health is Oconomowoc, WI), so, much like NOCD, ERP was the primary focus. I did ERP for three hours everyday and I had a team of specialists overseeing and supervising my care. Unfortunately, there isn't a secret method taught in residential; it's the same stuff, just a lot more of it.

@sophea @sophea So sorry to hear your story. You are so brave ❤️

@SF18 oh yes I’ve heard bout erp before, I’m planning on asking my therapist if she does it or has training in it. Because I’ve had ocd for years but only really got erp therapy for my contamination theme which I haven’t had problems with. Thank you for your explanations and help !!

@Summ3r_ @Summ3r_ One of the interesting g things about OCD is that no matter what the theme is the response /treatment is always the same…ERP. Whether it’s contamination, harm, counting, mental compulsions like rumination, the answer is ERP. The reason is that OCD may switch themes on you but the underlying fear is generally the same whatever the theme…fear of death, abandonment, the unknown. That fear makes us doubt and worry about the future unknowns, and the way to get better is to stay grounded in the present and resist the compulsions to decrease the anxiety caused by OCD. The compulsions decrease the anxiety temporarily but then OCD gets a stronger hold and wants more. It you can learn to let the temporary thoughts be there and keep on living, OCD loses its power.

@Apeiros1979 nope, I’ve only ever gone to regular talk therapy but after my grandfather died recently it feels unbearable

@ocdsuxxx oh okay thank you !! I think the vision of a mental hospital is way different in my brain than in reality because in the moment of a bad ocd spiral it feels like the only thing I can do to help myself.

@Summ3r_ Girl ur not alone that’s why I went o the hospital to help cus I felt like a danger I still feel like one