Christina,

I haven't been inpatient that many times but the differences between the way the hospitals are run vary greatly. Some are the WORST. I think the worst ones are the wards where there are mixed psych patients with detox patients. The staff has a hard time remembering who is who....my one visit to one of those units was just for 4 days so I could get back on a mood stabilizer quickly and this one stupid nurse kept asking me if I was having the shakes yet. I kept telling her I was not there for detox!!! You basically sat around all day, waiting for meal time. They also had a floor monitor who went around inspecting the rooms and yelling at everyone for leaving anything on the floors or for having food in their rooms.

The best one was just the opposite. Very organized, everyone was very kind, they knew what they were doing, they knew who you were and what you were there for, and here's a tip: go to the drug store and buy some of those silicone ear plugs that swimmers wear. They are GREAT for cutting noise. I use them all the time. Also, make sure the pdoc prescribes you a sleeping pill every night. Even if you never take one, tell them you want one. You won't get enough exercise to make you tired and you will have trouble sleeping even if you weren't sleeping on the worst mattress ever made.

Just remember: You are going to be there either to keep you safe or so they can make some med changes quickly in a safe environment. Your first visit is a little weird because they have all this safety stuff they have to do and it seems a little impersonal. But try to understand they are looking out for you and the other patients.