I've been at the loony ward twice.

First time I attempted suicide and woke up at the hospital and having docs say "you might benefit from a stay at the psych ward." and I was still a bit dizzy from the drugs I did and said "yes". It was an okay stay actually. I was bored, but I also got answers to some questions about my mood that had been bothering me. I got diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

The second time was last January, I was very paranoid, delusional, seeing and hearing things and avoiding places, not able to go anywhere, and even when I was a 100 miles away from the person that I thought would hurt me, I was still jumpy and all. Even to this day (I think I'm well on my way to recovery) I think my pdoc "manipulated" me into going to the psych ward voluntarily. It was terrible. They messed up my meds, I didn't get to talk to anybody about my feelings, the only therapy I got was meds. I got a working med, though, and was let out after 7 days. My pdoc said "this might not be your place..." and made sure I will attend therapy sessions and take my meds regularly after I leave.

:S At least I got SOMETHING out of each visit.