My Experience at a Residential Center-
I have been thinking a lot about when I was at a residential center. I will say the name of the center, because this place helped me SO much and gave me a lot of happiness even though I was away from home, meeting new people, and having to conquer my eating disorder (which are all pretty scary and anxiety provoking for me.)
In December 2015, I was admitted to Rosewood a few days after my second time in the medical part of Nicklaus Children's Hospital. This children's hospitals staff did want the best for me, but I do not plan on going back to the hospital anytime soon! But, back to Rosewood.
Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorder, has a few different locations. One being in California, and three being in Arizona. I was not in the Rosewood Capri centers, but Rosewood Ranch, where there are inpatient hospitalization or residential care. Both of these kinds of care mean, you stay at either the adult location or adolescent location, both in walking distance from each other. I was in the adolescent location, where I met others around my age who were different in personality, had different stories, but all could relate on at least one thing. We all suffered from an eating disorder.
I am usually very shy and anxious about sharing things or making jokes, especially with other kids. Also, talking to teenage boys was such a trigger, because of past trauma. But, you basically had to talk to someone when therapist weren't around and during meals and snacks the techs will see who isn't talking or socializing, which is an EDB (isolation.)
Soon, I started becoming everyone's younger sister. I was the youngest of everybody and when my true personality and joy came out of that hole it had been in, I was probably one of the loudest and most talkative. I grew to look up to my roommate, who was like the older sister I never had. (If this person is reading this, 'It's a Miami thing!')
The therapists and nutritionist are very informative and really care about the patients. The groups helped a lot, as well as equine therapy. The techs are with you all day, and it was fun laughing with them and New Years was also an awesome night. Even though I got into some trouble for joking around too much....
Of course, it was hard to eat meals and really just socialize at first, and 2 times I did not eat dinner, but the positives overweigh the negatives.
Also, Rosewood does have an alumni, who check up on you to see how you are, so you have more support. Before you leave, you get an aftercare plan, whether IOP, or PHP. Sadly, my PHP program was not a good experience, but that's a whole different story. But, I had the skills I learned from Rosewood to help me get through the very negative times at this certain PHP.
Rosewood Ranch saved me!
I am usually very shy and anxious about sharing things or making jokes, especially with other kids. Also, talking to teenage boys was such a trigger, because of past trauma. But, you basically had to talk to someone when therapist weren't around and during meals and snacks the techs will see who isn't talking or socializing, which is an EDB (isolation.)
Soon, I started becoming everyone's younger sister. I was the youngest of everybody and when my true personality and joy came out of that hole it had been in, I was probably one of the loudest and most talkative. I grew to look up to my roommate, who was like the older sister I never had. (If this person is reading this, 'It's a Miami thing!')
The therapists and nutritionist are very informative and really care about the patients. The groups helped a lot, as well as equine therapy. The techs are with you all day, and it was fun laughing with them and New Years was also an awesome night. Even though I got into some trouble for joking around too much....
Of course, it was hard to eat meals and really just socialize at first, and 2 times I did not eat dinner, but the positives overweigh the negatives.
Also, Rosewood does have an alumni, who check up on you to see how you are, so you have more support. Before you leave, you get an aftercare plan, whether IOP, or PHP. Sadly, my PHP program was not a good experience, but that's a whole different story. But, I had the skills I learned from Rosewood to help me get through the very negative times at this certain PHP.
Rosewood Ranch saved me!
"You have come a long way, baby"! The strength and knowledge gained at Rosewood will forever impact your life. Thank goodness it gives you the tools and skills to generalize in any situation. It's criminal that other states do not have quality programs and ones out their could actually do more harm than good.
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