I've been inpatient twice for 5 days each time. It's not a mental hospital but a behavior health floor of our regular hospital. I'd go again. It was all about no stress, rest, and getting back on a beneficial med dose. I'm a lucky one. I've heard a lot of horror stories about inpatient from people on a different website. But from my experience I wouldn't even think twice about going back in if I needed it.
Hmmm...My therapist told me that I could call this crisis number during an episode. He said they will just talk to you as long as you need them...he said they can send somebody out if you need to be evaluated and hospitalized...he said I should consider being in inpatient care when I'm manic instead of relying on my friends and family to babysit. The idea just scares me though...what is it like really?...if I was manic as shit, what would I do when I was there? I mean do they have a special manic playground or something? LOL Or do they just sedate the hell out of you?