Former patient thankful for staff who never made her feel alone

04/16/21 04:20:pm

One year later, a former patient shared with Rogers Behavioral Health that they are graduating with a master’s degree in social work and that they have been able to manage their symptoms.

The patient’s troubles started in 2019 when they began suffering from what they assumed was severe caffeine withdrawal. They had trouble sleeping, tremors and shakes, and an almost nonexistent appetite. After multiple trips to the ER, their primary care doctor recognized that they had anxiety and prescribed medicine to help.

The medication worked for about two weeks, but then the patient began to exhibit the same symptoms and extreme suicidal ideation. Following their doctor’s advice, the patient voluntarily admitted themselves to the adult inpatient unit at Rogers in Oconomowoc.

“I received the best care I could have asked for,” the patient says. “The environment was safe and nurturing, and I felt comfortable discussing my symptoms and my mental health with others. Immediately I felt comfortable attending and participating in groups and talking with my treatment team. I felt so comfortable that I didn’t want to leave.” Being able to see and talk to their family during their stay also helped, and the patient says they “never felt alone.”

The patient went on to say that the Rogers staff was “amazing to the point where they felt like family. Every time I felt like a failure or that I was a disappointment, the staff helped me cope with what I was feeling and used validation whenever it was needed. While there, I received a mental health diagnosis that matched all my symptoms and my behaviors. I started to feel whole as a person and realized that my symptoms and emotions were valid due to my diagnosis.”

After receiving treatment in partial hospitalization care (PHP) for three weeks, the patient returned to the inpatient unit a couple months later because they had extreme symptoms of anxiety and depression that led to self-harm. They spent two weeks in residential care until they learned their insurance did not qualify for intensive treatment; they were then discharged to intensive outpatient care (IOP). Although the patient was originally uncomfortable with the sudden discharge, they gained back their independence in IOP and learned skills to successfully manage their bipolar and generalized anxiety disorder upon final discharge.

Today the patient is very grateful for the Rogers team, particularly Cora, Kurt, Theresa, Keith, Breanna, Jamie, Chris, and Jasmine at the adult inpatient unit in Oconomowoc.

“I couldn’t have done it without the Rogers team. I always thought that I had to get through this on my own…I was wrong!”

Keith Gaertner, a therapist who worked with the patient, says, “I think we have a great team on adult inpatient. The disciplines all work together to make the patient’s experience the best it can be. Many times staff goes above and beyond their job requirements to help patients who may need more attention. It’s great to work with such dedicated staff.”