In & Out of the Hospital

The last week J spent in the psych ward of a hospital, within which he was just switched from one anti-psychotic to another. I think, he's right. When he has insurance, the hospitals are eager to keep him. When he doesn't, they label the episode alcohol- or drug-induced and release him the next day.

Here an interesting read a friend forwarded the other day:
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/jun/23/epidemic-mental-illness-why/

Anyway, J finally left the place on Friday and came straight to me. We spent a beautiful weekend together (movies, arts/studio stroll in the neighborhood, just hanging out...) and today he gets to see his daughter before she returns home to AZ with her mother.

It's easy to pretend nothing is wrong when he and I spend time together....but I know better. He still doesn't have a job (I don't know how he is going to hold down the next one if he continues to relapse this way), his place of living is insecure, his cellphone is constantly at the brink of disconnection, he hasn't done laundry in months (he kinda gets by with the very few items I continue to wash for him every week), I can only imagine the state of his room... He's just not well when he's left alone. :/

At least, he is now on medication....but this worries me, too. What do the doctors know about him and his history? Nothing. He's on different types of meds every time he is admitted to the hospital. They just don't seem to know what they're doing. One time it's a mood stabilizer, then it's an impulse control medication, then an anti-depressant, and once in a while it's an anti-psychotic. Besides the fact that this cannot be good for his body (or brain), how can these people be so casual about prescribing such heavy-duty medication?

One of the doctors at the hospital he just spent time at called me to ask me for some insight and background information. When I tried to give her the details, the connections I've made, the bigger picture... - she couldn't seem more uninterested. She seemed rushed and superficial. It was upsetting that this person, who really appeared to not care very much, was going to be the one to make such significant decisions as prescribing brain-chemistry-altering medication!

Anyway, J is planning to return to the hospital once his daughter leaves. This is the first time he is planning such a thing in advance. He must not be feeling well...