1. What is intake like? I have been voluntary and involentary... go volentary if you have the choice. Both the people that did my intake were really nice and made me feel really safe and comfortable talking to them.
2. What are the rooms like? Both times I have had to share a room. 1st place had a bathroom with shower and they let you turn the lights out. 2nd place, after I got off lockdown, room sucked and we had to keep a light on at night so the nurses could see us. Both places had sheets and blankets but one had plastc protectors on the bed... drove me crazy.
3. What are the days like? Boring. Both had an activity or two durring the day. The first place had group once a day. No individual therapy and the groups didn't apply to me, they were for addictions.
4. What are the nights like? Boring. TV but you all had to agree what you watched and the nurses had to approve the content.
5. What do they do if you are currently taking medication? They kept me on my meds until I met with the Pdoc. He tried to work with what I was on just tweeking it.
6. What do you bring with you, if anything? Comphy clothes, slippers, books, a list of phone numbers. Both places took away anything of value to put it in the safe including my cell with all my #'s. Journal.
7. How do you find in patient psych hospitals in your area? 1st one Pdoc called, had me drive there then called to make sure I went. 2nd time it was determined by the policewhen they came to get me. It is based on where I lived.Insurance can also dictate which one you have to go to if they are going to cover it.
8. What does it have to offer in terms of counseling, meeting with doctors etc. More Pdoc then you need in a lifetime. No counseling
9. How long are the stays usually? (For someone depressed or manic) I was depressed both times, depends on how fast you cycle and how you respond. 1st time 3 days 2nd time nearly 2 weeks but that was by choice.
10. Do most insurances cover it? Didn't have insurance the first time second time was covered as it was an "in network provider"

Kept me safe but didn't do much for me otherwise.