Never felt more crazy than in the MHU

wow, if there is one thing that can make a person feel nuts if they already dont, is spending the night in a mhu-mental health unit of a hospital. I stayed at one for a few days and was so scared of all the crazy crying and talking and yelling that I heard, that i curled into a ball, pulled my cover over my head and started crying. I didnt feel crazy when I went in there, but I tell you what, spending some time in a mhu can make anyone doubt their sanity

I kind of know what you mean. I spent 8 weeks in a psych hospital in 07 and it's not an experience I care to repeat. It was mostly a good experience and helped me loads, but it definitely had it's scary moments.

-splitimage

I was lucky and had a good experience when I was in a MHU back in February. As a former crisis worker I can only imagine though. I know what some of the people I put there were like!

I worked as a Nurse on a closed unit of a Mental health Hospital in New York--Bellevue, along with others.

I visited my mom when she had to be put in (dx=Paranoid Schizophrenic) many times in the 60's and 70's-----they have not changed.

Everyone likes to say that they are better than they were-- they are not.
People who are violent are put in with people who are simply depressed, or overwhelmed with life.

It's an atrocity--It is still just as it was described in the book/movie:

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"

I am sooo sorry (((Jessy Day!!)))--(((Splitimage)))---they have to make big changes
in those places- well, at least it's not like the "asylums" of yesteryear-----theo

I was close to being hospitalized a few weeks ago. Anyone care to elaborate what it is like/what kind of treatment is used?

Years ago, I represented hundreds of people at the state hospital. Many were kept in the STW, Special Treatment Ward. STW was located at the top floor of a five story building. The ceiling sloped like the roof did. There were no windows or ventilation. The committed were kept in locked jail cells.

I would read through the medical records before going to talk with my client. I would get locked into the cell. A lot of the clients did not like being locked up. Some would be totally naked. The stench of feces and urine permeated the place. Clients would ask me if I was scared. I would say no. They told me I should be.

Someone was always yelling or crying or rattling something against the bars. One guy tore his mattress up and yanked the metal frame of his bed from the concrete wall. Most knew I was there to try to help them get released. These were the problem people. Few got out.

One time I got one out and he castigated me for doing so. He said he had no place to go. He got back in the van and voluntarily signed himself back into the hospital.

Hospitals can do much good for people in trouble. STW simply was a barbaric place of punishment staffed by what the committed called the goon squad.

HI Razorback 713! Welcome to pc!

Elaborate? Well it is a controlled environment, you have crafts, and T.V. time, and, of course; medication time and Therapy time.Dependent on your good behavior, you may be allowed to go outside on the grounds in some facilities.

Staff-Nurses, Social Workers , Head Psychiatrist meet once a week most places and they talk about each individual case. You know: Who conformed to the rules (was good) and who had to be put in the "Quiet Room" (screaming and yelling, being naughty and not taking their meds).

You are not to disturb the "Milieu" or you are re-evaluated, based on how much coverage you have; and whether or not you signed yourself in, or someone else did (based on if you were a threat to the safety of others, or to yourself--they can admit you involuntarily)---you must conform to the daily rituals.

It's not at all unlike "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"--you have no rights, you are to conform. All autonomy is taken from you. Many need this type of therapy--it helps them; as they are overwhelmed and cannot make their own decisions at one time or other in their lives.

If you smoke, some facilities will take you for a smoke break at certain times.

Your life is organized, and planned for you on a daily basis.

I am a non-conformist myself, so this sort of institutionalization would enrage me, just as it did the main character in the book I mentioned. OOOOO, they'd definitely have to perform a labotomy on me!!!

Many scream, cry, some will threaten you---it can be quite frightening if you are in there for depression, or are just incapable of functioning in the world.

The ritualized way of living is very helpful to some.
But the more violent patients can be very frightening; as Jessy May, and splitimage have stated.
They are not separated.

Wow! Byzantine!!!--them were the days of the actual asylums----Like the movie "The Snake Pit", and the asylums Francis Farmer describes in her book "Will There Really Be a Morning?"-----------creepy that they treated the Mentally Ill that way;
Cruel!!!------------------------------what I know of MHU's----theo

I was in a psych. hospital from March 30th-April 2nd. It was, of course, locked. However, it actually did not scare me. I admit, I was nervous the first night, but after that, I was fine. I never felt like I was in danger. It was a small facility. I'd actually had a choice between going there & going to the crisis center. I chose the hospital, & thankfully, they had a bed. Perhaps they're careful with who they take in (I'm sorry if this offends anyone). The crisis center takes anyone in, & honestly, I know I'd not be comfortable with that. I don't mean for that to be cruel.

I believe it depends on the State, City, also a great deal has to do with how much money/benefits you have; whether you will be placed in a really good place----

There are; I've heard, some truly excellent ones (money/benefits count!)--theo

The one I was in sucked - I was only there a few days went in on the friday morning - then had to go on Monday (someone was coming back - so I had no bed) my parents phoned my psychiatrist and he wasn't happy and he said he would have me out the next day.

I had to spend 1 night at a different hospital that was way better, all the staff there were saying the other hospital was really bad.

I was really bored there and I'm sure someone was going to try and kill me.

(((((( kureha ))))))

(((((Kureha))))))))))