Mental Hospital Experience

[Asir]

Have any of you been in a mental hospital? Was it self admittance or brought against your will?

If you were self admitted, how long did you stay and what were the things you weren't allowed to keep(if you were to not self harm or attempt to kill yourself.)

Have you ever been mistreated in a mental hospital?

 

[Zegepa]

Yes.

Both.

Shoelaces, drawstrings, metal items, etc. (self admittance or there to not hurt yourself, it doesn't matter, all are forbidden from having these items)

Yes.

 

[Maso]

I have been self-admitted and admitted against my will. Both were good experiences. I got the assistance I needed, therapy; individual and group as well as medication management and a much needed rest from home life.

Ditto on the forbidden items...no shoestrings, metal items, drawstrings, etc

 

[Ikaco]

I forgot to add; I spent 72 hours the first time (self-admitted) and 10 days the second time (against my will).

 

[Efo]

not mistreated but couldn't smoke cigs which added to anxiety :(

 

[Dazib]

Been admitted both voluntarily and involuntarily multiple times, in multiple hospitals. The experience varied a LOT from one hospital to the next. Some were godawful and I got out asap, others were really helpful environments, some were in between.

The variation on what I couldn't take in depended on both the individual hospital's policy. Some places I wasn't even allowed deodorant (even voluntary, because of the potential access from higher risk patients). Other places, they just asked me not to bring any drugs or alcohol (but they also booted you out quick smart if you crossed the line).

Involuntary admissions have been pretty shitty experiences for me every time. And yeah, sometimes the hospital itself made it hell. But I needed to be there. It kept me alive. Mostly though, it was gonna be a pretty shitty experience regardless because I was in a pretty shitty headspace, and at least they kept me safe.

Bring in hospital has never been a thing I've enjoyed - I know that for sure. But sometimes it's necessary. And if it's necessary, most hospitals, as shitty as they are, are better than the alternative in the long run if you need to be there.

 

[Uwufa]

Yes, years ago. Involuntary admittance after suicide attempt following trauma. Military facility, 72 hr hold, nothing allowed other than the underwear I had on. No mistreatment, but also no real treatment either.

 

[Ozap]

I've been hospitalized multiple times, primarily on a voluntary basis, twice involuntary.

I've stayed anywhere from 5 days to 3 months (back in the day of non managed care health insurance)

Pros - I always felt safe, my meds were taken care of for me, I really didn't have to worry about anything aside from getting better. When I went to the hospital specifically for trauma/PTSD it was even better bc everyone there really knew what they were doing and were contantly there for me.

Cons - being away from family. I've missed a few holidays which can be sad, but I was so depressed already I didn't care. Getting committed sucked because my therapist was way too excited to do it when I mentioned SI from a week prior. Sometimes it can be boring.

Every place goes through your stuff. No shoelaces, drawstrings, belts, razors (you can sometimes use with supervision) no spiral notebooks...all for the safety of yourself and others.

I've never had a bad experience in a hospital except the last place I went didn't have hot showers. Only cold. It was awful.

 

[Afuje]

I have probably been admitted to the hospital 50 times for SI since I was 17. Some voluntary some not. I have had experiences in hospital where I was mistreated, and I have had experiences that were good in the hospital. Never was PTSD ever address until recently when I was at the TDU at sheppard Pratt