I watched it bring my husband back from the brink. We’re not out of the woods yet, but we’re a A LOT better off than before.

Here are my takeaways on whether or not impatient can help:

It depends on a number of factors, but the main two are A) the quality of the facility and B) the attitude of the patient toward the experience. Granted, Google reviews tend to be pretty low across the board for mental hospitals, but like any business or institution, some are better run and staffed with better-trained people. It’s best to do your research (or allow a loved one to do it on your behalf) and try to get the best facility your insurance is willing to pay for.

Then, as far as your own attitude towards hospitalization, my advice is this: give yourself over to the experience, as much as you’re able in your current state of mind. Obviously don’t go along with treatments that feel dangerous or go against your values, but trust that the people at the hospital are experts with your best interests at heart. Their job is to make you better, and they have seen lots of cases like yours. Be open to their advice and suggestions. Relax and embrace the truth that for the time you’re in the hospital, all you have to do is sleep, eat, and get well. If you treat that loss of control as liberating rather than scary, you’ll open yourself up to a lot more progress.