Off to see the wizard

I’ve never been to a mental institution. In fact, I’ve always avoided them because I was afraid that I might not be let out. But now it seems that I am willingly going into an outpatient treatment program at the Central Florida Behavioral Health Center. It’s called Partial Hospitalization which as far as I can seem is sort of like day camp for the mentally ill.

Depression and whatever other mental disorders I have (take your pick) are a funny thing. It seems like sometimes they drain all of the hope out of you and you don’t even want to try to get better. They’ve readjusted my meds and I’m feeling pretty strong these days. I actually fought the insurance company to be able to go into the hospital.

But at times like this I can’t help but think of some of the destructive fantasies that caom with my illness. I’ve always remembered the scene in What Dreams May Come where the wife (forgive me I don’t remember her name) is in a mental hospital and Robin Williams goes to visit her. She’s sitting in a beautiful green garden wearing a bright green bathrobe. I always dreamed about how peaceful that would be. Somehow, I don’t think that my experience will be anything like that.

I start my treatment on Sept 21 and I have high hopes that it may help me cope with all of the challenges my mental illness causes. I’ll keep you all updated and post any interesting or useful things that I learn during my time there.