Im 16, and I have alot of mental problems. My parents and therapist want to put me in a mental institution or whatever you call it. Apparently, I am a danger to myself or something. I dont know, I dont care.
anyways, what is it like? Im just really freaked out about it, and idk what to think. I've barely spent time in a regular hospital, what will things be like in the mental one?
2006-09-11 22:01:00 · 9 answers · asked by trainboy765 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Well...it's not going to be as bad as you think. Mental hospitals used to be very scary, they are more like regular hospitals now. Just keep to yourself, do as you're told, and don't think you can put anything over on any of the staff. Remember that you are there to get better, and that your parents are sending you there because they love you and want to help you.
I'm so sorry that this is happening...good luck, and be well :-)
2006-09-11 22:09:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
First let me tell you I'm 46 yrs old and have 3 grown children. I wanted you to know that because when dealing with childeren or teens I have the habit of using affectionate labels. Sweetheart I personally have been in every type of mental phacility they have every opened in this town and surrounding. I am Bi-Polar & ADD, When I first started showing the signs it was like they tell you from the fact books about your 20's is when a mental dissorder will start raising its ugly head. Back then they called it manic depression and the to being Bi-Polar. I don't know how familular you are with mental terms and dissorders but when your severly Bi-Polar it is a disease, not a frame of mind. So many ignorant people think there is no such thing as mental dissorders, it's just mind over matter. And I will tell you my own father was one of those that thought that way. When I would try one of my numerous suicide attempts he called them stunts. One 2 occasions I was DOA on arrival but was revived and in commas on life support for I don't exactly remeber how long. The numerous attempts that I didn't die asfter a few days on a regular floor I would suddenky be moved down to the state funded mental ward under judges orders. Sounds like tons of fun huh. But finally after all the suicides attempts, the self mutilation fun, and just so many other things my parents finally accepted the I was Bi-Polar, would be all my life, but on the right medication you can live full, functional, normal life. As to your being scared about a mental hopital, If your parents are involved and your Dr. explain to them your fears, because I'll tell you the absolute truth there are really bad mental phacilities but, there are so many great ones also. Any state funded hopital is goona suck big time. These hospitals are for the uninsured, criminals suspected of having a mental problem and worse is that the staff is just so burnt out they treat you like ****. They just wanna do their job and make sure you swallow your meds and then the'll go back to their enclosed, locked areas and scream at you through the glass. Now if you have insurance you can find some really nice ones. I don't mean nice as in a 3 star motel, I mean a good caring staff that will help and councel you and get you thru any rough patches. I promise if you tell your parents patiently about your fears and you can even tell them a really experianced person told you, and if they are concerned for you, they will look for one of those good mental hopitals. Oh and in these types of mental places the people in there also are better typs of people. You will get very closs and become great friends. I am telling you all this so you will have some basis to decide on accepting their advice and going in a getting some real help. I take about 8 medications everyday, but I am finally as stable as any other normal person. Really sweetie I,m giving you my experiance that generally I don't go around sharing, But I understand your fears completely. So I felt as though I had to help you to the best of my ability, And that meant telling you the truth. remeber talk with your parents comely and rationally and they will go out of their way to find a place you could get the best help. I'll say a prayer for you, but I'm living proof if you participate and really want to be well then you will work at it and do whaterver it takes, before it takes over you!******Nellers*******
2006-09-12 05:47:59 · answer #2 · answered by Nellers 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I agree with everyone else,, I have been in about 8 times,, in a state hospital for about 24 hrs and then the rest have been private.
Some are better than others,, some have alot of groups and classes for you, and some are more like a holding room until you get stable.
All of them are there to help you,, and to keep you from hurting yourself, the staff is very helpful and have seen everything so don't feel embarrassed.
Not all of them do strip searches,, some do,, they will go through all your things and take away most of them,, I had one who even locked up my reg clothes for the 1st couple days I was there,, not sure what I was going to do to myself with clean undies but hey,, they are the professionals..
most of all try to be honest while you are there and be open to the help they are offering,, if your parents care enough to have you in theraphy and to take the painful step to have you go to the hospital they love you very much,, it's hard to see sometimes but they do.
Good luck
2006-09-12 05:42:27 · answer #3 · answered by B V 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I have been in about 6 times I believe....all for depression, suicidal thoughts and eating disorder. I actually had fun in the first 2. They're not like what you see on TV. You go to groups and meet with your therapist or psychiatrist. Other than that, you just really sit around and do nothing...watch TV or read. You are stripped searched when you go in and you're watched very closely. Your room is bare and you have to share a room usually. There are no TV's in the rooms or pictures on teh walls. You can't have anything that you could hurt yourself or someone else with....like razors. I was scared the first time, but I actually didn't want to leave. I was there for 9 days the first 2 times and I didn't want to leave. There aren't bars on the windows, either.
2006-09-12 05:09:36 · answer #4 · answered by First Lady 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
My mum used to work as a nurse in a mental hospital, so I came by to say hello from time to time...
It seemed nice and quiet enough - of course there were some strange people there (I remember there was a guy that just kept on walking. from time to time the nurses would sit him gently in a chair, but less than 2 minutes later he was up and walking again. He was wearing slippers with reinforced soles of thick leather. He never spoke to anyone - he just walked around all day), but all in all it didn't seem like a bad place to heal up ones mental problems...
Hope you get back on tracks soon.
2006-09-12 05:37:35 · answer #5 · answered by Mr Jones 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if your 16 and up at four o clock in the morning on the computer and not partying you need to be in a mental hospital lol! thier ar two kinds of mental hospital private and state!if your family has insurance you'll go to a nice place where some doctor will put you on some kind of medication and you'll lay around for 7=10 days! state hospitals suck their dirty,noisy and the food sucks
2006-09-12 05:13:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
i spent some time in the psychiatric unit of our local hospital a few years ago after a *nervous breakdown*. it's not so bad and it can really help if you do all the hard work you have to so you can get better. there will be activities and therapy sessions and rules. there's a lot of structure and a good hospital will have doctors and other staff who are truly interested in helping you get well. remember that everything worth having is worth working for, including your sanity and well being. you'll be ok there. good luck.
2006-09-12 05:11:10 · answer #7 · answered by jbslass 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
it is not so bad. i been there several times. the worst thing is the doors r always locked, sometimes u can't even take a shower a lone. but in general, its OK, the food is usually pretty good and the Dr's and nurses THERE do really care and want 2 help. GOOD LUCK!!!!! go 4 it
2006-09-13 00:30:50 · answer #8 · answered by crazy45 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been in four. It's a vacation.....you get away from all worries and family, and everything.....Enjoy, and take the medicene. It works! Now I'm 50 and got my masters in Psychology because I was there!!!! Go for it!
2006-09-12 05:30:55 · answer #9 · answered by Kitty L 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋