to go on...

Yes, the "danger to others" type of patient frequents psychiatric hospitals, but more commonly we see the "danger to self" patient. What hospitals in general do is to offer treatment for life threatening illnesses. Severe depression - and it can stem from innumerable causes - is a life threatening illness and the most common problem/diagnosis that is treated in a psych facility. Some patients merely have serious thoughts of suiciding. Others transfer in from ICU or a medical floor after they have been successfully treated for overdoses. Amazingly some have been a breath away from death. In these cases, 99% of them are glad to be alive and have a renewed connection with God. Believe it or not...there have been quite a few patients who have arrived bruised, battered and bloodied - and stunned - from running their cars into trees or poles in suicide attempts. Some have jumped off bridges, or cut, shot or stabbed themselves and will be physically impaired for the rest of their lives. A few others have drunk bleach or poison. Some have caused such a ruckus in the community that police were called, and they tried to lure the cops into killing them. Severely despondent people can find creative ways to try to "off" themselves. Some are pitifully humorous. When they survive their attempts, we often get them in the psych setting. They usually get better and find hope for the future. Though some despairing persons struggle with suicidal thoughts much of their lives, for others it is a transient response to an overwhelming life stituation.