Does anyone know if there are guidelines that you receive when you check in? … I’m hoping that maybe they’ll be online.
It was to avoid inside payoffs I think and stealing. People can be really reckless with money if they’re manic or psychotic.
Look don’t think too much about it, bring some cash and ask the nurses if they store it. If not then you’ll have to be careful, but I don’t think you’ll need much money when you’re in there and I think they don’t accept cards. I think it’s a good way to relax and become better and that’s what you need.
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Some positive things I just thought of…
You can be yourself, you are with your ‘tribe’. It’s that rare place where you don’t have to worry about stigma. You’ll meet people going through similar experiences.
It can be seriously funny. Most people I talk to have funny stories from inpatient experiences.
You’ll have memories and can tell stories like the ones you are hearing here.
I’m sure you can get a list of rules and policies before you are admitted.
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Thanks guys, you’ve really honestly been a great help in this ever so touchy debate with myself. I’ll have to let you know what the outcome is. Once all of the red tape goes away, then I’ll have a final decision on whether or not I go. Insurance coverage is a big one.
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In the facility I described earlier, only decaf’ coffee was available. The powdered stuff, which gives me the runs anyway. You’re welcome. The staff were probably over-busy because the queue of patients lining up to gain access to their cigarettes was never-ending. Don’t read any prejudice from that line - while I no longer smoke, that’s not my angle. When I was admitted it was with the clothes on my back and nothing more. It was actually all I needed. They provided pijamas (although, at 5’1 they were fairly hilarious on me) and access to (free) laundry facilities. There were two lounges. Each with televisions. One with an entire wall covered in books. I looked through all of the books and found nothing but fiction, so that didn’t suit me, but you get the dirft. There were 3 outdoor areas/courtyards. I only really explored one. In that one there was a giant life sized “Connect Four” game, a basketball ring, an over-sized chess table, a few different balls, an acoustic guitar.
It took until day three that I was given a pencil so that I could write. They obviously don’t allow “sharps” or anything that might have the potential to cause harm to self or others. I know also that they do not allow mobile phones or any other gadget that facilitates connecting with the outside world. Which, while it sounds like the worst thing ever to many (including myself - the loss of the Internet that is) is in fact a very sensible rule.
When you start to look at it from the wrong angle, there is plenty there to allow you to get dark about it. But all these limitations are in place to protect the patients and to facilitate recovery. I know for a fact that if I had’ve had access to The Internet, I would have gone backwards not forwards.
As as been said, the experiences will differ from person to person and even their experiences will differ stay to stay. Your own headspace will make the biggest difference. If you go in with the mentality of looking for help and place trust in the system, then help is what you will likely get out of it.
My experience was fairly akin to a holiday, being honest. My social introversion could have been a problem, but I think my stay actually helped me to shed some prejudice and realise that everyone has their own story. I was even approached by a massive gym junkie guy whose facial expression seemed permanently stuck on “testosterone mode” and he complimented me on my physique and we ended up having plenty of chats about the finer things in life. Overall I learnt a lot about myself and came out the other end a much more humble person. I don’t think the hospital really knew how to deal with a person like me properly, to be honest, because in retrospect I was still manic when I left. I can be too manipulative for my own good in that regard. But overall, massive thumbs up from me.
When it comes to trying new meds, I think doing so in an in-patient environment is the safest approach and while things don’t tend to happen very quickly, you’ve got that peace of mind knowing that if you were to go backwards rapidly, it’d be noticed and dealt with there and then.
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As someone who’se been inpatient in both hospital psych wards as well as private inpatient services, and only addrssing you’re concern of being committed, I’d say as long as you check in willingly then you aren’t being committed, even if someone’s had papers drawn up for you (of course this differs state by state and nation by nation) but in my experience, pych ward, I’ve spent about a week being monitered before they let me out regardless of whether someone wanted me committed (ALWAYS check in willingly whether brought there willingly or not unless otherwise advised) as I wasn’t sure what to do and by chance settled on voluntary hospitalization when being brought there was against my will.
Otherwise in my state you go before a judge in ten days who determines whether you get sent to the state institution where I’ve heard of people being stuck for years (some of their own accord to be fair) But having known my family has wanted me committed to the state system for years I’ve avoided it. The hospital psych ward, in an absolute crisis it ain’t too bad, food was good, have to share a room generally which sucks, there’s groups, layed in bed and read books mostly honestly. State committment, no idea what you’re facing as the people I’ve talked to who’ve been there haven’t divulged much other than wittnessing a few fights.
This is super super helpful! I was looking for specific experiences like most gave, but this was very detailed. I really loved it, especially the bit at the end about regression being noticed quickly. I think an environment like that would be good for me. Was this like a hospital for all unwell people (like a ward in a larger hospital)? Or was it a hospital specially for people who suffer with mental illness?
I don’t know if more details will help due to the inherent differences between facilities, but if you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them all.
Yes. As I said in my earlier post, the nurses are trained to appear like they aren’t taking notice, but they are. They very much are. They will notice regression within an hour or less. And reading over my own file, as I said, the noticed even more than I had given them credit for.
This was a ward attached to a normal public hospital (normal for Australia). Though the psychiatric ward there is quite large and has been renovated and expanded quite a lot over the past 5 years. I live in an area of high unemployment and mental health issues are among the more prevalent issues. If you imagined the ward in isolation from the hospital, it would conjure the imagine of a stand-alone psych hospital. Perhaps just not a huge one.
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I like the details because they tell a story, not necessarily because I am expecting the same, but just because it gives me a general feel of how the poster really feels about it.
I’m glad the nurses are specially trained. I mean I figured they would be but idk. It’s just good to know, just in case I start slipping again.
Also good info on the facilities. Not sure why but I’m feeling like I need to be worried about it. I can’t think of a good reason why so I guess I’ll just let it go. Maybe figure out why the type of building concerns me so much with my therapist. Thank you @
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Not a bad idea at all! Certainly seems sensible to me to try and clear out any worries you have before going. The last thing you want is to go in with unresolved fears/concerns specific to the facility.
Hollywood and its portrayal of psychiatric facilities as they were over 50 years ago has probably contributed. Movies like One Who Flew Over The Cookoo Nest or 12 Monkies etc. they don’t help one form a pleasant imagery haha even if the building looks the same, the happenings within certainly aren’t anything like what they used to be.
The nurses all have to complete specialised mental health training on top of their regular degree. I only saw one nurse there handle themselves in a way I thought could’ve been handled better. She was 24 I later discovered and simply lacked the necessary experience.
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This seems like a good idea. I’m pretty up to date on what’s changed throughout the years, I just HATE the idea of it being in a regular hospital… Something to talk about next session though.
Also, I have seen movies with the typical Hollywood psych ward setting. They’re unnerving, but also very unrealistic to the present day!
It’s funny that I had the opposite preconception hehe as in, I would’ve been more afraid to go to a stand-alone dedicated psychiatric facility. The brain sure is a mysterious thing. I’m sure your therapist will help you get to the bottom of your concerns either way 
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Inpatient is like a love hate thing. I know when I got out I missed the people I met,what I learned about myself was kept in my composition notebook. It’s a good overall experience. When I got out I felt very new
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