I was just wondering if any of you have ever been in a psychiatric hospital and what it was like?
2007-07-01 20:20:23 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
I have twice when i was younger for depression and drug rehab and honestly it isnt that bad the people there can really help you if you want it
2007-07-01 20:23:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
25+ times in 6 years; committed 3 times, the rest were voluntary.
The experience depends on so many factors - the diagnosis of the patient, the facility and staff, severity of symptoms - with some "visits" I felt more normal in than out because I was surrounded by people with a similar diagnosis and level of illness, we had a good staff, and we were all in pretty much the same stage of recovery. We exchanged phone numbers and email addresses before we were released - all within a week of each other.
Other "visits" have been demeaning and almost dehumanizing; doctors who won't listen, staff who won't interact with patients for whatever reason, the list goes on. I believe all psych facilities have a patient advocate; their job is to represent YOU if there's a problem.
I have never seen a room with rubber walls or a straightjacket. Most of the time the food is almost restaurant quality.
During admission, the staff will go through your belongings. Anything glass, containing alcohol (including cologne), anything that can be used to hurt yourself or someone else are removed, labeled, and placed in a secure area. Privacy is respected as much as possible.
Are you facing or considering a psych hospitalization? Do you know someone who is? Or did you ask for research purposes?
2007-07-05 20:02:16 · answer #2 · answered by mrscjr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kind of. I was sent to rehab when I was 16 because of overdosing on drugs repeatedly and the rehab ward was joined to the psychiatric ward (they were both in the same facility - there was also a disablity ward). We could walk around the grounds of the facility during our free time and could mingle with patients from different wards. I know I, and alot of the others in rehab would visit the psychiatric ward lounge area and hang out there (I think I did it because I was so interested in the people there and it was rather 'thrilling' because you never knew what was going to happen). The majority of the patients were just your average joes and janes, but I will say there were a few I would make a point to steer clear of. I'm glad I had the oppourtunity to experience that, and I believed it helped me set my life back on track. I know after leaving there I wasn't such a reckless teenager anymore, and my parents didn't seem that bad after all!
2007-07-01 20:30:42 · answer #3 · answered by KingOfTheWorld 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I have been in a psychiatric ward/hospital more times than I care to remember (or even can). Usually, inpatient hospitalization is required when there is a "safety" issue. Are you having suicidal idealizations, do you have a "plan", or are you going to hurt someone else? I have never been admitted because of my cutting or bad moods. May I suggest (if you haven't already) call the crisis line at your local hospital? They are usually available 24/7 and can provide accurate information regarding whether or not you should consider hospitalization.
Good luck and take care of you!
Dee
Email if you'd like, its on my profile!
2007-07-01 23:45:07 · answer #4 · answered by Dee 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I was for 2 wks when I was 16yrs old. I went sent against my will for depression but after 2 wks of observation I was deemed not depressed. At that time anyone who wore gothic attire and listened to certain music was considered depressed I guess. Anyways, it's like a daycare center with a schedule you follow. You have playtime, quiet time, some kind of modified school time, art, music, exercise, outdoor time, group therapy time, and one on one with doctor time. You have to take meds, whether you need it or not. It's not bad. The worst part is that you can't shave your legs or pits and you wear the same outfit you came in with everyday (it gets washed nightly) unless somebody brings you clothes. It's good to see people who are really messed up if you're feeling down. You'll feel so normal walking out of there that you never want to complain again about anything. There are kids out there that have no homes or their parents abandoned them that get abused in foster homes and do crazy stunts to get sent there just to escape from it. And there are kids there that act completely normal and there are some you think are normal until they act out. It can get annoying.
2007-07-01 20:36:22 · answer #5 · answered by goturanswer 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes some helped me and some didnt help at all. I guess its what I was like when I was in the hospital because I feel that most of it depends on how much I wanted the help and wanted my thinking to change. Hospitals are all different from each other so I couldnt ask what its like. Sometimes I feel like a rat in a trap but other times I feel like its a safe place to be.
2007-07-01 21:30:15 · answer #6 · answered by tootiebear 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I personally have never been in a psychiatric facility, although i suffer from depression & am a carer for my mother who has severe depression & has been in a few. I find that they keep you safe at a time when you are low. The nurses are all friendly & i feel they do a good job with what they have.
I hope all goes well with you.
2007-07-01 21:31:43 · answer #7 · answered by sandibeach 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Devout US Christians might be interested to know that when WestIndians (Caribbean people) first began relocating to UK in the late 50's/early 60's (at the request/invitation of the government of the time), their spirituality was seen as mildly bizarre (folk stating that they heard God talking to them) and many Black Westindians found themselves in psychiatric hospitals solely for this reason. It was a purely racist attitude, confining Black people in psychiatric establishments purely for their devotion to their religious beliefs
2007-07-01 20:27:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
no but my little brother has. and when my mom went to visit him i asked her what it was like and she said there were kids who had to be restrained by the doctors and they were all obsessed with "being safe". like the patients couldnt use pencils or pens and always had to be watched. also they had to watch little kid shows even if they were like 16 or something. the food was horrible and the patients had to be supervised while eating so that in case they were anorexic or whatever they would eat or not throw up. they had music therapy, art therapy, medicine, and constant therapist visits. my bro and mom said it was the worst experiance ever.
2007-07-01 20:27:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's the last place you would want to be it's full of people who have been heavily sedated talking nonsense and some nurses are nasty if you get on there bad side they will overdose you to make you experience uncontrolled facial movements, all the mussels in your legs contract and turn you into a dribbling mess
2007-07-01 22:02:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
DEAR MISS
YES I WAS IN ONE FOR A TEN HOLD FOR A DOCTOR RE
QUEST BECAUSE OF A OVER DOSE OF HIS
MEDICATION IT IS NOT FUN BECAUSE EVERY TIME YOU
TRY TO SLEEP THE ARE TAKING BLOOD AND DOING
OTHER THINGS I WILL NOT SAY ANYTHING MORE
OK I DO NOT WANT TO SCARE YOU OK
TAKE CARE
2007-07-01 21:01:57 · answer #11 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋