A visit to the ER

[kevyn]

My mom (who lives in KY) read my previous journal post, and being unable to reach me by phone (it's been disconnected because I couldn't pay the bill), she called the Bellingham Police Dept. and asked them to check on me.

At about 5:30 this evening, the police showed up here, and after talking to me, decided I was a suicide risk, and took me to the Emergency Room at St. Joseph's Hospital.

I was observed in the ER for several hours, before a social worker arrived to interview me. I told her I didn't think I was an immediate risk to myself, and didn't need hospitalization. She agreed, and after getting me a dose of Zoloft, set up an appointment for tomorrow with the Whatcom County Behavioural Health Unit in order to get me into the mental health system. Then they called for a cab, and sent me home.

I called mom collect, and let her know what happened. She's planning on coming up here Monday.

I'm going to bed now.

Comments

[bigmacbear]

Well, it kinda sucks (and not in a nice way) that the police had to be involved, but at least you're getting the care you need, so that's a relief. Hope you sleep well, and get well soon.

Hugs...

[kevynjacobs.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[bluebear2.livejournal.com]

:(

[kevynjacobs.livejournal.com]

:)

[baxil.livejournal.com]

Man. I'm sorry. That sounds like it was traumatic and stupid. I hope at least that the BHU will be able to have a positive effect ... I hope some good comes out of your experience.

And I really hope this isn't something about Seattle. It's a fantastic place, and I'd love to live there again, but you're hardly the only one of my friends to deal with depression there -- and hell, the city even got me once to throw myself into a lake. Reading what drove me to it seems to have some disturbing relevance, in retrospect.

... Kady tried to call you this evening and ran into the same phone problem your mom did. Is there a better way of getting ahold of you than comments here? Either or both of us would really love to get in touch with you and reconnect.

Be well. *offers a thoroughly inadequate e-hug*

[that-dang-otter.livejournal.com]

FWIW, I jump into lakes fully clothed all the time. It's extremely therapeutic.

[bluebear2.livejournal.com]

It's interesting that you say that about Seattle because people here say that about Vancouver but they say that Seattle isn't like that.

[kevynjacobs.livejournal.com]

I think it's a Cascadia thing. Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Juneau. The whole northern Pacific Coast, overcast and rained in and S.A.D. and sometimes just blah energy.

[kevynjacobs.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm back on meds now, and cogs in the system are now working to get me medical coverage. Amazing what a despairing LiveJournal entry and a police visit can accomplish. I'll be ok.

I know that I am prone to S.A.D., which is why I have a light box for use during the dark months. But I have a 23-year history of major depressive episodes (I was first hospitalized for it at 16), and I have had some of my worst depressive episodes in Alaska in August - no shortage of sunlight there and then. This is a brain chemistry thing for me, and the public health system is inadequate to my needs at times. Hence me losing my insurance, and consequently, my meds.

Sorry about the phone. I hope to have it back on in the next week or so. Please call!

[that-dang-otter.livejournal.com]

Goodness, that sounds rather melodramatic.

Very sorry that your brain is not cooperating. Depression is a very strange thing. But hopefully this will be an entry point to whatever treatment you need.

I hope it works out!

[kevynjacobs.livejournal.com]

> Goodness, that sounds rather melodramatic.
Hee hee hee, why yes, it does! *grin* Leave it to mom reading my LiveJournal to add a little melodrama to my life!

Thanks. Brain malfunction, ERROR ERROR mood destabilized again. Working to correct. Compensating.