Quote:
Originally Posted by Wild Coyote
  (((((( bpcyclist ))))))
Possible trigger:
Oh my! 
I did not realize you have been through this -- as in being held in a max-security forensic unit. I am very sorry you have had to have that experience.
It's a very tough, usually very violent, out-of-control, "crazy-making" type of an environment, where, for the most part, nobody is safe from one minute to the next. In that type of a setting, paranoia can be a very helpful.
Some people do get placed in institutions where they definitely do not belong. Often times, their only hope is whether or not a kind, strong-willed and dedicated staff member or a social worker, if there are any, will take on the cause and will relentlessly keep the matter in front of administration and/or higher up.
How does one ever put that type of an experience behind him/her?
I'll be interested to read your book.
Wishing you healing |
Yes, living on Harbors was extremely dangerous and scary. I developed my own strategy for trying to stay safe, which consisted mostly of never leaving my room. Like. ever.
The caring, dedicated, selfless staff at the hospital--and there are hundreds of those--go out of their way to make it as safe and tolerable as possible for patients. They are absolute heroes. There are also some absolutely hideous staff.
I am not sure it will ever really be fully behind me. What I have tried to do is to integrate it into my current self as a part of me, but not to let it dominate me. It was obviously quite traumatic. I was there for a total of 4 1/2 years before I could finally get out. 4 1/2 years just--gone. Long story. Basically, once you are admitted to that hospital for really any reason, unless you are an aid and asisist or a civil commit, it is virtually impossible to get out. A function of the system for discharges and how they are done. People are warehoused, some with no mental illness whatsoever. Unique to Oregon. Just craziness.