Anyone been to a Psychiatric Hospital???!
Question: Hi. I'm a girl and I'll be 18 in the summer. Next year, instead of doing my last year of school- I'll be going to a Psychiatric Hospital for treatment. My parents have said that I cannot move on in life without first dealing with all my "crap" (Depression, OCD, BPD)
Has anyone else been to one? What's it like?
Should I be worried? Any survival tips?
Answers: Hi. I'm a girl and I'll be 18 in the summer. Next year, instead of doing my last year of school- I'll be going to a Psychiatric Hospital for treatment. My parents have said that I cannot move on in life without first dealing with all my "crap" (Depression, OCD, BPD)
Has anyone else been to one? What's it like?
Should I be worried? Any survival tips?
I haven't personally been to a psychiatric hospital, but I spent 17 days in a Behavioral Health Unit here in my area. We don't actually have psychiatric hospitals here anymore, you just go stay on the psychiatric ward in the regular hospital now...we just aren't allowed to call it the psychiatric ward either - something about being politically correct.
Moving on - I spent 17 days there. I have Bi-Polar Disoder with psychotic features, severe OCD, acute paranoia, dellusions of granduer, and ADHD. If I don't take my medication like I am supposed to then I also have visual and auditory hallucinations which is how I ended up on the unit anyway. First let me tell you that you can move on in life - if you have made it through school this far without being in a psychiatric hospital, I have no idea why your parents would be so negative to you and tell you such a thing. YOu should think positively. But, if this is what you are choosing to do, I'll tell you howit worked out for me -
Honestly, it wasn't anything like I expected. Of course everyone is jaded about this type of thing by what we see in the movies and stuff. I was a little scared about it myself. I went in to the admitting office, and I talked to the guy that was going to be checking me in. My first question was how long I was going to have to stay - my options were these 1.) I could let my mother check me in in which case I had to stay for a minimum of 30 days, or 2.) I could check myself in and I could leave when the doctor released. I chose option #2 even though my mother was the one that suggested I go. At that time, I had stopped taking my meds and I had started having those hallucinations I mentioned earlier and somehow for some reason still unknown to me I stuck a fork up my nose...I have no idea.
There was a lot of talking while I was there. There were individual counseling sessions, there were sessions with the psychiatrist, and there were group therapy sessions - and you HAD to talk. You talked about anything and everything you can possibly imagine. They are very particular about lots of things though - you can't take any clothes in with you that have strings, so sweat pants and stuff like that that have the string tie in the waste are a no. Sneakers that tie, no. If they think you are suicidal, you stay in a room by yourself and they check on you every 30 minutes at night while you are sleeping. They do feed you well, and you do get metal utensils, but no knives and a nurse is in the room where everyone eats at all times. You get to shower alone, but not shave.
Honestly, there isn't a whole lot to worry about, because like I said, we are jaded because of television and the movies. They take pretty good care of you while you are there, and they are really good and trying to help you feel better about yourself and about trying to help you deal with and work through your issues. If this it what you are really positive about doing, I wish you the best of luck.
When you are 18, do NOT go to that place. You're old enough to manage your own life.
Well I've never been to one, but I would imagine that you'll see all different kinds of people with different types of issues. Some will be much worse than you...probably making you question whether or not you really need to be there, and there will be some who are looking at you thinking that you're much worse than they are. Be glad you have parents who are willing to get you the treatment you deserve. As with any kind of recovery, go in with an open mind and be willing to do what you need to get better. Prayer helps!!!
It's a HORRIBLE place, I think you should think carefully about life before making your final decision.
Maybe you don't need a lengthened visit. Can you not talk to your own doctor and get a referal? Can you not simply have a weekly visit to a psychiatrist and see what their diagnosis is whether you should stay in a hospital until well enough to leave? Your folks are not practicioners (from your essay above). Let the professionals make the judgement.
i have been to one before and honestly they help you out a great deal right now i am 18 but i went when i was 16 because i was depressed about my family and so on i had a bad attitude and all kinds of things but when you get into one its kinda like a cool down period time for you to really think how your life really is and there is people there to help you through hard things believe me i didnt think i had a attitude so this stuff im saying right now i didnt like hearing when i was being amitted. you shouldnt be scared at all. anymore questions just ask
I was in it 3 times I broke some records lol. But its cool its kinda fun. You meet people like you and you know your not the only one. People care for you so much the counclers the patience you really get to love these guys. You only get one visit a week or day depends were are you.
Were I was at visting was once a week and 2wice on weekends for 2 hours. 1 hour on week day. Thats because they want you to fouse more on your self
There are things called groups. Were you learn about self estem your medication your problem etc and you dissusses with in your group.
I had to go to 6 a day and thats a lot. You even get h.w if we did not do it we could not eat lunch in the cafitera.
All in all it change my life forever. I am happier and more orginized and love life.
Oh I was in it after a failed suicided attempt for 2 weeks by the way. I was also able to use the phone when ever I want if I had change. But not durring groups. Remeber the pt is for you to foucus 100% on you and not think of the ouside world.
I worked in one. Don't pick up any bad habits of the other residents, e.g., cutting yourself, smoking, lying, stealing, starting fights, etc., etc., etc. Just be yourself. Be genuine, honest and serious about getting a handle on your issues and you should be fine.Take your meds as prescribed!
Is this what you want? Do you think you need to go into one. This has to be your decision. If you completed your last year of school, would you have the necessary support around you.
My sister tried to get me into one, but they said it would probably make me worse in the long run, and I'd pick up bad habits from the other patients. Nothing like them isolating more than you already feel! There will be a lot of very disturbed people there, and it can be quite scary.
I was sent there for 3 days for observation because the psychiatrist I saw was incompetent.
I had suicidal thoughts because my dosage wasn't high enough and he didn't ask for clarification.
I was scared sh!tless at the thought of going. The first 1 3/4 days I couldn't eat or drink and I just sat and cried.
Eventually a couple of patients came over and spoke to me. I realized that my fears were uncalled for. 99% of the people there were just like me...they had a problem and needed some help.
Other than taking my vital signs and giving my meds and meals I recieved NO help from the hospital personnel.
3 days and nights, 3 eaten meals, and no therapy all for $1800 out of MY pocket.
Yes I was stuck in one held for 48 hours cause I tried to overdose. I got bailed early though thank goodness. It's like most hospitals where the food is awful, the other patients much odder and they do bed checks. I would be worried, You are old enough to decide what is best for you. If you have to seek help don't get stuck in one of those places as it is almost impossible to prove you are well enough to get out.
OK, I have "lived" in some..... And been to others too . SO I can tell you that the ones for teenagers are far different then the adult wards.
With that in mind it also depends on the facility. Some are better then others. The good ones focus on getting the patients better and out of there, and then there are others that are not so good.
If you end up in one it is like a prison. If it is a locked facility too and there are security officers then you really going to feel trapped.
Other patients are there for very severe mental illnesses. You will learn a great deal about human beings in there and about different types of illnesses. Once you have been in there you will never ever take your freedom for granted again, or it can make you worse too.