im not sure who, if anyone, needs to hear this from me but:
- getting help at a mental hospital is okay
- doing an inpatient program is okay
- doing a partial program is okay
- doing an intensive outpatient program is okay
i "graduate" from the iop ive been in for over a month on tuesday, and i can safely say this is one of the best decisions ive made for myself and my well-being.
ive learned so much about myself and why i think the way i do. ive learned how to cope with intrusive and catastrophizing thoughts. ive learned that i love group therapy and it's incredibly helpful to share with people in similar life paths as you. im still mentally ill, but i can cope much better now. you get out what you put in, and all the work has been incredibly worth it.
my only regret is not doing this sooner. i was struggling so incredibly hard and on a downward spiral since February. the stigma against these programs kept me from doing it sooner, and if even one person can see this and maybe take the steps to get the help they need, i'll have made at least a small difference.
tldr; get help if you need it. you are worthy and deserving, and stigmas are stupid.
