Does anyone work in a psychopathic hospital??

Question

i was just wondering how do people work there feel. do they feel safe?? or are they always cautious of what might happen, because all the patients there are crazy..literally crazy and u dont know what they are thinking about and at anytime they can go crazy....just wondering how u feel if you work there....if u dont work there would u consider doing it?

Answer 1

I work with alzheimers, dementia, schizophrenic residents, and yes, in the past 20 years there has been a handfull of times I have feared for my safety or a coworkers.
I have been hit, spit on, slapped, food/drink thrown on, blood coughed on, snuff spit on, you get the picture............
we get stressed for sure, and the families NEVER take it into account when they visit, they wanna complain about mother's hair hasn't been combed, or her makeup not put on-never mind it took one hour to get her to get out of the bed cuz she was fighting and hitting the staff....and this is in an NURSING home mind you.

Answer 2

Hi,

It's called a psychiatric hospital. I worked in one for awhile. None of my co-workers felt unsafe around the patients (and those who did were a lot 'crazier' than the patients for sure!). People in psychiatric hospitals suffer from all sorts of disorders - depression, bipolar disorder, and extreme anxiety are among the most common. The term "psychosis" has, unfortunately, always had a bad connotation attached. Psychotic does not necessarily mean violent. It is a chemical malfunction in the brain often treated well with medication (anti-psychotics). If a person was psychotic we were able to calm them by just talking with them and moving to a quieter room so the other patients wouldn't feel unnerved. Some patients were out of control and put in restraints - very humanely. When a person is suffering from psychosis they are completely unaware of their actions and the restraints are utilized (along with medication) for short amounts of time. Usually the patient just sleeps (the meds are strong) and there is always a nurse, aide, or therapist with him/her the entire time. There are some people who work in psychiatric hospitals that shouldn't be allowed to - they do not understand the various disorders and become easily frustrated by the patients.

Most patients are very self-aware and in control. Their biggest fear is of losing control. Rarely is anyone violent. It is an absolutely wonderful place to work if you are an empathic person. Everyone has emotional and mental issues; some simply feel it more strongly than others. The main thing I noticed working in the hospital was that most patients had a history of trauma - they had gone through some terrible events. It is infinitely rewarding to know that you can offer aid to those in pain. The other thing I noticed was that staff were so busy at eachother's throats about money and business that not nearly enough time was spent on patients. It was amazing to watch the ones who were in it to help others, though. They are my heros and heroines.

Patients who are criminally insane are kept in institutions quite unlike regular psych hospitals. These are a very rare lot. It may help to understand psychiatric disorders; just go to any website. Why don't you try volunteering at a psych unit nearby? It's not so 'scary' when you see what's really going on. I think you would probably quite enjoy yourself (these are some of the sanest people out there because they are working on their issues!) and leave with a sense of accomplishment.

Answer 3

My brother worked in a psychiatric hospital and he said that after a while you can't tell the staff from the patients. I don't know that I believe him. I spent some time as a patient in a psychiatric ward and it was not a scary place at all.

Answer 4

I worked at a state hospital for 2 years, I hated it, if we were attacked we werent allowed to hit the patient(now called clients) in self defense unless a RN or doctor said we could. The pay and benefits are okay but it isn't worth. On top of that its pretty depressing.