[Wingnut13]

What is it like in a psych hospital? Can my T make me go? If I go on my own can I leave whenever I want to? Think my T is getting worried cause I told her my thoughts of ending it have turned into fantasies of how I would do it. Something happened that has triggered this,something very bad. It is sexual and is so bad I don't know how to deal with it. I should've told my T but didn't.
Someone very close to me did something(to me) she shouldn't have.

[technigal]

Originally Posted by Wingnut13

What is it like in a psych hospital? Can my T make me go? If I go on my own can I leave whenever I want to? Think my T is getting worried cause I told her my thoughts of ending it have turned into fantasies of how I would do it. Something happened that has triggered this,something very bad. It is sexual and is so bad I don't know how to deal with it. I should've told my T but didn't.
Someone very close to me did something(to me) she shouldn't have.

I don't know if a T can "make" you go but they can report you to the police who can force you to go to the hospital. At least that is how it works in Canada.

I have not been in a strictly psych hospital but have been on the psych ward twice now. The last time was in September and it was an OD that lead me there. I was committed by two doctors and was to be committed for one month. The weekend pdoc released the commitment (after 1 week) saying that it was better for me to be their voluntarily.

As for the ward itself, it was not much different then any other hospital stay. I did group therapy daily, talked with the pdoc (and his student) daily. I was not allowed to leave without my husband there. Not some place I really want to be but it was not scary or anything. I was in for 12 days. I actually stayed a couple of extra days as I was scared to leave at first (the pdoc ok'd the extra time). I was going to be released suddenly ("want to go home today", I panicked).

[ScarletPimpernel]

Originally Posted by Wingnut13

What is it like in a psych hospital? Can my T make me go? If I go on my own can I leave whenever I want to? Think my T is getting worried cause I told her my thoughts of ending it have turned into fantasies of how I would do it. Something happened that has triggered this,something very bad. It is sexual and is so bad I don't know how to deal with it. I should've told my T but didn't.
Someone very close to me did something(to me) she shouldn't have.

I have been in one actual psych hospital. It was the same as being in the psych ward of a normal hospital which is very similar to other parts of the hospital. I've been to the hospital multiple times for my mental health (sometimes I choose to go, one time police took me, one time my parents took me, one time a friend took me.) I don't know if rules are different in different states, but I know here, if they admit you, you're under a mandatory 72 hour hold. After that, I'm not sure. I normally spend the 72 hours in the hospital and then get sent to a crisis house for 2 weeks. I've only been admited to the hospital twice, but I have been to the crisis house like 8 times

When the cops took me to the hospital few months ago, the hospital kept me for 6 hours. I was basically left alone with my mother who was cracking jokes for 6 hours!!! So when the therapist came in, she thought I was fine and let me go home. But she did tell me if I come back, they have to keep me.

My T brings up involuntary hospitalization a lot. But even she has told me that she knows even if she calls, they might not admit me. I really appear depressed.

OH! And that happened to me once. I had a stupid T try to hospitalize me when I was doing good. They take me to this ugly green room, cot in the middle, one pillow, one blanket, no windows, and tile floors that smelt like urine. After a few hours, two guys came and brought me to an office. I broke down crying and they asked me why. I told them they wouldn't believe me, but I was actually doing good and didn't know why I was there. They said they believed me!!!!! Why? Because no one who is actually suicidal can exert that much effort into leaving the hospital. Oye....lol.

[facingdemons]

I have been hospitalized once. I came home one night and told my (then) husband that if he didn't take me somewhere to get help, I was going to kill myself. He took me to the ER, and they put me in an awful, tiny room with blank walls and nothing in it except a bed. They did blood tests (to see what drugs were in my system) and observed me for several hours. They decided to admit me to the psych ward for 7 days on suicide watch.
The hospital itself wasn't too bad. Honestly, I slept for the first 2 or 3 days because I was coming off a number of drugs. There were set meal times and the food was similar to school food. There was group therapy, art group, individual meetings with the doctor, medication times, visitation times, phone times, and my p doc visited me twice. There was a patio that we were allowed to go out on sometimes. They did provide scrubs to wear, but I was also allowed to wear my own clothing with some exceptions (no strings on hoodies, etc..). When I wanted to have a bath and shave my legs, I had to be supervised. They checked our rooms every two hours at night. There were 12 patients in my ward. Significantly more males than females. There were 2 doctors, an art therapist, a few nurses, a councilor, and some other staff. There were some very interesting people there.
After 7 days I was released to the care of my husband, with the understanding that I would be entering an inpatient rehab right away. He was given instructions not to leave me alone long, not to allow me to have access to medications or weapons of any kind. All of the knives in our home were put into a safe. I was home for 3 days before I entered rehab. This was 3 years ago.
Recently I came VERY close to admitting myself to the hospital again. In fact, the only reason I didn't was because it was a few days before Christmas and I didn't want to ruin Christmas for everyone (so odd how our minds work...). I told a few people about how I felt, and I was not left alone for several days. After Christmas, I had come around the corner and did not feel like I needed to be hospitalized. If there was a time when I truly felt that I couldn't keep myself safe, I would not hesitate to go back in.
Sometimes we need more help than we can get in outpatient therapy. It's ok. For me, I think the experience of being in the psych ward, being completely separated from my comfort zone, was a huge part in making me realize that this isn't what I wanted for my life. I needed the hospital to break the cycle I was in mentally.
From the research I've done, the exact laws vary from state to state, but in the US, you can be committed involuntarily for 72 hours if a doctor believes you pose a serious risk to yourself. The initial hold can only be 72 hours, after which there has to be a hearing to determine if you need to be held longer (that is if you are objecting to being held). I imagine that if your therapist thought you needed to be admitted, he/she has a doctor that they work with that would make that recommendation.
I think, however, that if your therapist were to suggest hospitalization, it's something you should seriously consider. Obviously you are the only one who really knows where you're at mentally, but sometimes I think we need an outsider to tell us when we could really use some additional help. But that's just my opinion.

I hope that helps. Good luck

All of this depends on your own means and whether you're involuntary or voluntary. I'm also in a different country to you so my experience of hospitals and the like won't be of any help. Money helps though - I find the more money you have to spend the better the programme etc.

But it could be different where you are. Just ask a lot of questions and be clear about what you are getting yourself into if you can. Good luck.

[Wingnut13]

Originally Posted by facingdemons

I have been hospitalized once. I came home one night and told my (then) husband that if he didn't take me somewhere to get help, I was going to kill myself. He took me to the ER, and they put me in an awful, tiny room with blank walls and nothing in it except a bed. They did blood tests (to see what drugs were in my system) and observed me for several hours. They decided to admit me to the psych ward for 7 days on suicide watch.
The hospital itself wasn't too bad. Honestly, I slept for the first 2 or 3 days because I was coming off a number of drugs. There were set meal times and the food was similar to school food. There was group therapy, art group, individual meetings with the doctor, medication times, visitation times, phone times, and my p doc visited me twice. There was a patio that we were allowed to go out on sometimes. They did provide scrubs to wear, but I was also allowed to wear my own clothing with some exceptions (no strings on hoodies, etc..). When I wanted to have a bath and shave my legs, I had to be supervised. They checked our rooms every two hours at night. There were 12 patients in my ward. Significantly more males than females. There were 2 doctors, an art therapist, a few nurses, a councilor, and some other staff. There were some very interesting people there.
After 7 days I was released to the care of my husband, with the understanding that I would be entering an inpatient rehab right away. He was given instructions not to leave me alone long, not to allow me to have access to medications or weapons of any kind. All of the knives in our home were put into a safe. I was home for 3 days before I entered rehab. This was 3 years ago.
Recently I came VERY close to admitting myself to the hospital again. In fact, the only reason I didn't was because it was a few days before Christmas and I didn't want to ruin Christmas for everyone (so odd how our minds work...). I told a few people about how I felt, and I was not left alone for several days. After Christmas, I had come around the corner and did not feel like I needed to be hospitalized. If there was a time when I truly felt that I couldn't keep myself safe, I would not hesitate to go back in.
Sometimes we need more help than we can get in outpatient therapy. It's ok. For me, I think the experience of being in the psych ward, being completely separated from my comfort zone, was a huge part in making me realize that this isn't what I wanted for my life. I needed the hospital to break the cycle I was in mentally.
From the research I've done, the exact laws vary from state to state, but in the US, you can be committed involuntarily for 72 hours if a doctor believes you pose a serious risk to yourself. The initial hold can only be 72 hours, after which there has to be a hearing to determine if you need to be held longer (that is if you are objecting to being held). I imagine that if your therapist thought you needed to be admitted, he/she has a doctor that they work with that would make that recommendation.
I think, however, that if your therapist were to suggest hospitalization, it's something you should seriously consider. Obviously you are the only one who really knows where you're at mentally, but sometimes I think we need an outsider to tell us when we could really use some additional help. But that's just my opinion.

I hope that helps. Good luck

That helps a lot thank you. I think My T is worried cause yesterday I told her I am scared of myself. My episodes of s.i. have increased and she is worried I will take it to far. I will talk to her about it when I see her next Monday.

[The_little_didgee]

If you go, go in voluntarily. Life will be easier for you. Getting certified isn't pleasant. You lose your rights and really cannot do anything until it expires or is cancelled. Some hospitals will even take your clothing.

Whatever you do, don't fight them. If you do they can "flag" your records, which means you will be listed as a patient with combative tendencies. Once this happens any little hint of uncooperative behavior is resolved with extreme measures such as injections and restraints. Once this is placed on your records it is hard to get rid of it.

The staff chart everything from daily visits to the amount of socializing you do with other patients (or inmates). It is best to keep to yourself especially since there is a psychiatric culture and a lot of competition between patients.

People are not usually admitted for self harm unless they are a threat to themselves.

If I were you I would try to work through the feelings and urges with you therapist and seek support from family and friends before considering the psychiatric unit.

every place is different. the one i have been to was actually pretty nice (except you could not have your cellphone and no internet and only one tv for the whole wing of the hospital......

but the rooms were nice and the food was fine and the people was great.

i have also heard people complain a ton about when they got sent to the nuthouse.... so i guess every place is different.

[Espresso]

From my own experience, the therapist can make you go to the hospital by calling the ambulance. In my case, I had no choice but to go with the paramedics. I was further evaluated at the hospital and admitted involuntarily. I think if you're there voluntarily, you have to give them three days notice if you want to leave. But if they don't think you should leave, they can try to have you kept involuntarily. At least that's what they told me.

[dillpickle1983]

In my case, I've been involuntary and voluntary. The only one that can force me to go to the hospital is my doctor, or my landlord with a 302 warrant. I live in supported housing so my landlord / director of the Fairweather Lodge and make me go in. I usually will go in voluntarily if I can choose. I've only been once involuntary. My records have been flagged a few times from my attempts at self injury while still in the hospital. You really have to be acting out or escalating for them to put you in seclusion or in restraints. I'm usually a calm person for the first few days but then I get agitated very easily. Go in voluntarily if you have the chance.

I agree about going in voluntary. its much better. and you have the choice of which hospital you go to.. some hospitals are short of money and group everyone together... and treatment is horrible. others are better. I was in several. good and bad. some scary. but I am proud of you for coming into this site and asking for help. that is the first step. sexual abuse or what ever you have gone through can paralyze you. if left hidden in your brain. it can make you suicidal. you need to get this out. to a therapist. talk it out.. scream it out in a safe environament.. where if the feeling make you feel suicidal someon will be there to help you.. keep you safe.. is it is , no, im not going to say it is.. its hard.. I had to draw a picture of what happened to me.. I didn't even know that is why I tried to commit suicide till I started remembering.. I pushed it so far back in my mind it destroy so many things in my life.. than it was going to destroy me.. unfortunately I didn't have the guts to ask for help before my attempt.. that I why I am so so proud you have ask.. please seek out help.. find a therapist or if your really scared your going to hurt yourself. take yourself to an emergency room. and ask for help.. you can do this. and yes it does help.. getting it out. working on it does help. and being in a safe environment till the suicidal feeling pass. you will see that you will work through this. please let me know how you do if you do have a therapist please let him know how you feel