Poll How Many Times Have You Been Hospitalized?

[Heather]

I'd been thinking back over how many times I have been hospitalized. It's been A Lot. I think I counted 10 or 11 times.

That includes all the times that I have overdosed, said I was going to kill myself, cut myself to the point where I needed stitches, took pills and lied to the e.r. doc about it and had to sign myself in to the psych ward or be held for 72 hr , I signed myself in and ended up staying for over a week. Most recently where I admitted myself last summer 'cause I was suicidal.

Was wondering if anyone else wanted to share their experiences along with taking the poll. If not that's fine too.

Thanks. Heather

 

[Adrienne12]

Heather,

I have been hospitalized twice. Both times....I was petrified. These hospitals group you with people who have much different issues than your own and I think it is a scary experience. Panic Disorder/PTSD doesn't mix well with schizophrenia. I WILL never go back to a hospital. I was in the same room with a girl who was hearing voices. She would scream at "them." She also stole some of my clothes. Weirdest part is she wore them to group in front of me and everyone else. I didn't confront her for fear she would do something to me while I slept. (or tried to sleep anyway)

I do know people who have been in and out like yourself. I wish I had the guts to stick it out and get my meds situated. Are you ever afraid there?

 

[ronin47]

I've been hospitalized twice, and I would rather jump off a bridge than go back, as paradoxical as that probably sounds. The first time I admitted myself willingly on the condition that my parents would not be informed, but the first day I was in there I met with the psychaitrist and he said "We have to tell you parents." And yes, I was 18 at the time. They told me it was the "ethical" thing to do. I was in there for the better part of two weeks and I think the only reason they let me out was because I started having severe panic attacks and one evening had a complete and total nervous collapse. I never really had panic attacks until after I was hospitalized :cautious:. There was a 38 year old anorexic woman in there who I swear made everyone elses life in there a living hell. As terribly cruel as it sounds, when she would talk about wanting to kill herself I had to resist the urge to turn around and shout "PLEASE DO!" The nurses in there were so obnoxious, I swear all they knew how to do was shove pills down your throat. It was like; "Here's your diagnosis, here's your perscription, have a nice day." The second time I was put in involuntarily because I overdosed on asprin. I was placed in the exact same hospital, which was humiliating beyond words. I absolutely hated it. Sometimes the people I shared a room with in there were better listeners than the actual doctor or nurses.

Okay, I'll stop before I spend all day ranting.

 

[Heather]

I do know people who have been in and out like yourself. I wish I had the guts to stick it out and get my meds situated. Are you ever afraid there?

Most of my "frequent flyer" visits were in my 20's I was never scared. I was so out of control then. This last stint there weren't a lot of people that were threre dealing with similar issues it was all drug and alchohol related. But they did get my medication squared away.

I hated every minute being there and DON'T ever want to go back. So, I think I am getting better. This has been a long time coming though. Twenty years of counseling by now, hell something should be different!

I remember one hospitalization when I was in my 20's and the staff had the good sense to put me on the other unit when I first arrived because one of the patients on the other side was schizophrenic and very violent. They knew I was very fragile emotionally and had problems with touch. I'm glad they did because he ended up flipping out and threw a chair and had to be restrained. I saw what happened but I was far, far away on the other side safe behind plexi-glass and a locked door!

 

[BloomInWinter]

There's no option for 'never'....but I know that's just because nobody in my life would've noticed I should have been, LOL.

 

[Brontie]

Psych hospital stays about half dozen over a period of about thirty years. Longest and most productive stay six weeks in 1994. I’ve outlived the psych-doc who helped me the most.

 

[Serene]

I've been hospitalized 3 times for suicide attempts. The first two times I was found unconscious and woke up in medical hospitals and then transferred to psych hospitals. The third time I admitted myself by calling mobile crisis when an attempt with a gun went bad. I pulled the trigger, nothing happened, and I flipped out. I've never been that crazy in my life.

My experiences in mental facilities has been pretty good. The second time I was put on a ward with screaming, violent people but after a couple of hours they moved me. I guess i convinced them that I was a little more stable than that. I was fed well, got my meds tweaked, went to whole bunch of classes on mental health, slept and watched the drama unfold in the main room with all the other patients.

There have been a few times when I have thought that I might need to check myself back in for med changes and just to keep myself safe from myself. I haven't had to do that yet. I am hoping that spending time on this site will help me to manage myself and not need more hospitalizations.

 

[Awakening]

Never

 

[anthony]

I added never to the poll, as there was no option to counter the rest.

 

[sea]

Three times in my life. First was for hairline fracture in my neck. Said I had a hangman's break. (Or something , was small). Then next time after I swallowed a cup of bleach when I was ten. Most recent time in was for six months a year ago. Divided into emerg, ICU, short stay, long stay, occupational. Then I was in outpatients for 2 months. They made me speak to a psychiatrist once in the short stay after I was stabilized who told me I would be fine if I took pills. I threw them down the toilet the first instance I got. That was the only psych thing I had. The rest was physical. Two days ago I went to the clinic to see a doctor but went home before my appointment.

 

[Heather]

I added never to the poll, as there was no option to counter the rest.

thanks. after I did the poll realized I didn't put a never

 

[Heather]

. First was for hairline fracture in my neck. Said I had a hangman's break.

Just curious about this Sea. Did you try to hang yourself? Or was this hairline fracture in your neck from something else? If it's not something you care to discuss I respect your privacy.

Heather