I have been in 3 different hospitals. One was a psych hospital and the other two were general hospitals with psych wards. I was on a 72 hour hold at the psych hospital. No therapy, only saw pdoc twice, no toilet seat, a sheet of polished metal bolted to the wall for a mirror, no belongings.. had to wear hospital gowns and socks. Mostly I just wandered around. Neither patients nor staff interacted.

The general hospitals were very different. The first hospital I went to had group and individual therapy, two pdocs at every visit, occupational therapy (art), great food but it was a locked ward and you couldn't leave until you were discharged.

When I first went to the second hospital, there was daily goal setting, occupational therapy, exercise group in the weight room on another floor, walks outside, and short trips out of the hospital with family or case manager. Then they lost their pdoc and closed down for about six months. When they opened again the walks, exercise room, trips off campus, and occupational therapy had ended. Insurance wouldn't cover it. If you left the campus you were considered discharged by the insurance companies. We still see the pdoc every day. The one I liked the last time I was inpatient has left, too bad. The things that remained the same were: locked ward, no cell phones or anything that has a camera, no clothing with ties (I still won't buy PJs with ties instead of elastic), no shoes, nothing sharp (I couldn't have my journal because it had a metal spiral binding), only plastic utensils and they count them after meals. They did allow pencils for journaling. The food was good and you ordered from a menu. They "encouraged" you to spend time in the dayroom with other patients... one way is that the only TV was in the dayroom. Last time I was there the rocking chair was gone...missed that. Each bedroom had its own bathroom with sink and toilet but there was only one shower and bathtub in a locked room. A nurse had to let you in. All but five rooms at the end of the hall could hold two beds but I have never had to share a room. They only do that if absolutely necessary. One thing I really like about the ward is that the nurses and aides are all very caring.

Right now I am having outpatient ECT at the same hospital every two weeks. Geeze.. a couple of weeks ago I realized that all the nurses and aides know me on sight and my name. This is at an outpatient surgery ward where they rarely see the same person twice.... They have seem me on a regular basis for 18 months now and I am scheduled for the next four months so far... and once before I had treatments for 18 months. It is almost embarrassing that they all know me.