For People Who Are Thinking Of Going To A Psychiatric Hospital

[Lady of Longbourn]

My first hospital visit was a year ago. After I came back, I had several people ask me about it. A lot of people talked about how they have been told to go, or have thought about it. I want to help stereotypes of a Mental hospital. People are afraid.

I was in the hospital last week. I stayed for 6 days. While I am still not ready to come here and be more active with the forum, I would like to share my experience with this hospital. I really think a lot of people can benefit from this experience. And I would like to help them with deciding if hospitalize is good choice for them.

I decided to go after my therapist both started gently telling me that I needed help. I knew the winter is major depression time for me, I knew what would happen. It was ruining school, my suicide thoughts were the worst of my life. I took responsibly for my health. I had too. I have a family and I had to take care of my mental health the same way someone would take care of there physical health if they were sick. I thought at first, that me going to the hospital was like a failed. But I didn't! I just needed the stability. My therapist said I needed to go before it was no longer my choice. A Mental Health Spicatly at the hospital explained it the best...This psychiatric hospital is a critical hospital. Yes, it is a BIG choice. But its your mental health... Its painful. It takes life's. It destroys life's and realiships. It hurts your children.

Going to write all this in steps...I have a lot to say. :)

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

First, it was a painful, frightening, wonderfully humbling experience. I made a wonder choice.

I went to the ER of the hospital. You are interviewed by a counselor. Brief details of why you are there and details of how you aren't able to handle life right now are asked.

Call a head of time if you are able. Ask the basics ( incurence for example.). I got an appointment to make check in time much easier. I only had to wait about 4 hours for admittance. I know money is a big factor for people about things like this. I will talk about talk about that later. Don't worry. :)

I went to the hospital because I was tired. Not physical. Mentally I was tired, I could NOT handle life anyone. I thought suicide all the time. I didn't want to die, but I was so tired, I just wanted the pain to end. There was so much pain. I thought death was the only way out. But I still tired so much to get help. It was not working, I was to far gone. I finally listened to my therapist's. I owe them both my life. I don't think I would be here now if it wasn't for them. How many times have I heard this on this website?

After admittance you are sent to ward. I would pack a suitcase. Bring comfortable clothing. Hospitals are cold ( at least to me) Sweater's, sweat pants. PJ's. Jean's, t-shirt. Keep it simple. Nothing with alcohol, nothing glass. Take out all strings, no belts. Take hygiene items. Simple again. Ladies I wouldn't worry about make-up. People are going though to much there, not worrying about how you look might help you. Take some books. Comfortable books and maybe some about your mental problem. ( PTSD)

You are given a hospital bracelet. Really makes you realize where you are.

When you first get there...1000 yard stare is what comes to mind here. Its a shocking shocking thing. All the sudden you realize where you are. Emotions are very high. Crying your self to sleep the first few nights is normal here. Believe me. Everyone cries there.

People there want to know who you are. They all ask why you are there. Baring everything you are, and what happened to you is normal and expected in your treatment. It becomes like a second family. Everyone was like a best friend there to me. You spend your whole day together. It took some time for me to open up and get control about your emotions again. I was trembling most of the first day. It's just shocking. I was very homesick.

I was given a roommate. Nice lady my own age. Average days of being there was about 4 to 10. It all depending on why you are there and you.

Will be talking about groups and therapy next post... Schedules and routines. :)

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

This thread is a good idea. You very accurately have described the 'intake' procedure.

My first stay, I thought they would let me curl up in bed and cry like I had been doing at home. No, I wasn't allowed in my room except at specified times. It annoyed me at first, then realized I DID need some 'parenting'. That 3 weeks of focusing on myself, was the best thing I could have done at the time.

 

[NIKI]

Nice idea Ayesha. This will help alot of people afraid to go to the hospital. I would have loved if someone had explained it to me before I went. :)

 

[Srain]

This is pretty much my experience with the exception of one or two times when I didn't want to go, however my husband knew I needed to go, but I ended up in the same situation.

I'm sorry you were feeling so bad but I'm an soooooo grateful you took steps to insure you were safe. (((((((((((Hugs)))))))) that matters to me, my friend, more than you know. Deep depression is a frightening and lonely place and can misconstrue our thinking in outrageous, horrid ways.

I'm glad you taking it easy, be gentle with yourself.
peace and prayers,
Rain

 

[intothelight]

Ayesha,

I am glad that you went and it is a wonderful idea to post about the experience here. But most of all I am happy that it helped you and you aren't in such a bad place right now.

(((Hugs)))

Debbie

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to this. Looking at the cloud on the bottom of the page makes me realize people are interested and looking for answers.

Alright...Today's topic: Schedules and routines. :) lol For those who are interested I am going to right down what Monday's schedule was at the hospital. Its the specific thing to expect when going to a psychiatric hospital as it does not change.

7:00 am - 7:45 am
Wake up, shower, clean room, make bed
8:00 am - 8:45 am
Breakfast
8:45am- 9:00am
Medication
9:00am - 10:00am
Process Group and Mood w/Social Worker
10:00am- 11:00 am
Exercise and Goals w/ Mental Health Specialist
11:15am- 11:45 am
Nursing Education about Medications and Nutrition w/ Nurse
12:00 pm - 12:45
Lunch
12:45pm to 2:00pm
Leisure and Phone
2:00pm - 2:45 pm
Journal Group
3:00 pm- 4:00pm
Music Therapy w/ Music Therapist
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Snack and Phone
5:00pm- 6:00pm
Coping Skills ( Group)
6:00pm - 6:45 pm
Dinner
6:45pm- 7:30 pm
Wrap up Group w/ Mental Health Spcialist
7:30pm - 8:30pm
Phone calls and Shower
8:30pm - 10:00pm
Movie, Meditation, Socialization
10:00pm
Bedtime

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Going into more specifics about Groups and Routine

Routine is a big thing in any hospital. Here they seemed very aware that having a routine really helps people function right. I know it really helped me! I came to really looking forward to always knowing what was next. There was no guessing, it was like clock work. You really come to appreciate it.

Process group with a Social Worker, was always the most intense of the day. This is were people would cry a lot. There was no shame in this either. It was just normal. The topic varied but it was always to do with what it was called Processing you mood, your goals, your past, present and future. People would talk of the drugs they did, suicide they attempted, jail time, family problems, there children.

Questions like "How do you reward yourself?" are asked. " How do you devalue yourself?" We would go around the room and each person would answer. You are given the choice to not answer. It is part of your hospitalization to be in groups but you are not required to participate or talk.

Next group was Goals with a Mental Health Specialist, is next. Everyone would fill out a paper that listed basic questions that you would answer.

"Did you make your bed, brush your teeth and take a shower?"
"Do you feel: Sad, Anxious, hopeless or suicidal? Cheerful or so-so?"
"Are you hearing voices or seeing things?"

Then you list your baisc goal for the day. Sometimes its as simple as saying you want to open up more in group. Sometimes you want to ask the doctor some questions. Or maybe call a loved one.

Then there was a space for questions to the staff. Did they forget something? Ask then. Are you aware of a small problem? tell them. Maybe you want to go out the courtyard today. Tell them.

At the end of the day you have Goals group again.

Next time...More groups. :)

 

[Froggie]

(((((Ayesha))))) you're an angel to share your experience with us, this so demystifies hospitalisation.

 

[Srain]

Ayesha, so good to hear from you!

I, too, appreciate you sharing this information. I am reminded of just how important routine is.
You really sound like things are coming together with balance. :)

(((((((hugs))))))
Rain

 

[Ladyhope Somerset]

It is so encouraging to hear your account of how hospital admission can be a positive experience Ayesha. Thank you.

You said in your initial post that winter is a major depressiion time for you, so I hope writing this thread is therapeutic for you.

Best wishes

 

[Sazza]

Earlier this year I had my first ever psychiatric admission. My experience was very different I was allowed to stay in my room and other than being made to go to the clinic down the corridor that only time I was made to come out my room. I know it was up to me to make an effort but when your so depressed that's hard. For me in every day life routine is so important without it my mental health can go downhill quickly.

I was thankful while I was in there I was not forced to go out my room as I was feared. The experience did help me open up a little and to just escape from life. I was only in a week, the biggest benefit for me was someone on hand to talk 24/7. Other than that I felt that being away from life was just making it harder for me to re face reality.

Glad others have found there experiences useful