A question about hospitals

So glad to hear you're feeling better, DTM.

I was in for two weeks. It had its good and bad qualities. Mostly, it kept me safe. If that's what you need, please go there. They will take care of you and try to give you some counseling as well.

I have been hospitalized in the past ( 45 or more times) MANY of those were not good experiences ( PTSD flashbacks now from that). I have had good experiences as well. My T wants me to go in now- I have been doing VERY good for quite some time ( last stay was late 2008), but she is fearful of my current mindset and has been calling me daily. She is going to arrange that I stay at my local psych floor ( or try to) my past says once I go to the ER ( only way to go in no direct admitt) if the local ward doesn't have the bed then I get IEA'D( Involuntary Emergency Admission) to the state hospital ( she says it isn't legal but that is what they do- shackles and a ride in a paddy wagon are the only way to go in our county . I am wondering if it is worth it ; I have been there before and while the staff is helpful, it is all the stuff I have heard before ; But I see her point that I now have a plan ( which I won't share with her and a time frame that I am unwilling to share- I contract daily for safety) . I know that the hospital is the best place for my safety, but the FEAR is holding me back.

It is now 4:30AM and I am hoping to go back to sleep after waking up with a nightmare about the hospital. maybe do one more thing that will take my mind off this, then try to rest.

I've been in hospital twice and in an inpatient rehab once. The psych hospital admissions were both at the same place, the major psych hospital in town & both experiences were really positive.

The first time I was in, was in 06 and was a more "traditional admission" I was on a ward and shared a room. There was almost no privacy, none of the doors had locks on them, not even the bathroom stalls, and the nurses checked on us every hour, and more frequently if they thought you were at risk. But it was still a really good experience. We had group therapy during the day, you could talk to your assigned nurse whenever you needed to, and twice a week a recreation therapist would take a group of us to the Y to work. We hard art therapy once a week which was fun, and in the evening there were a couple of rooms wiht TV's that we could watch, there was also a computer that you could sign up to use, so you could stay in touch with friends via e-mail. We were allowed to bring in cell phones as long as they didn't have a camera in them. Because I was voluntary, I could sign myself out to go for coffee or walks for up to 2 hours at a time. I was in for 7 weeks. Most of the other patients were really nice. I was in a special unit for patients with mood disorders, addiction problems, and trauma history.

The second time I was in was this past summer. I was in for 4 weeks. It was really different. It was in one of the hospitals new buildings that are part of their new model of care. It was like being in a university dorm. Each floor had 6 private rooms with private bathrooms and we ccould lock the doors. Each room had a bed, desk, comfy chair and a phone. Each floor had a central sitting area, kitchen, and computer. There was group therapy during the day and in the evenings volunteers came in for things like music and art therapy. It really helped me a lot. I haven't been suicidal since I came out.

I will admit that I've probably had better experiences than many since my hospital is a dedicated psych hospital with a really good reputation, but I'd happilly go back in if I needed it.

The only problem, from my perspective with being IP is it's really boring. There's a lot of downtime. I knit a lot when I was in. The last time I was in, I made 3 scarves. So bring books, puzzle books, things to colour // draw. I've also made a bunch of friendship bracelets when I was in - just don't bring in anything sharp as it will be confiscated.

If you need help staying safe, then the hospital is definitely the place to be & it can be a good experience.

--splitimage

......very good advice. If Sarah's not an adult, then she must ask Mom & Dad to get in touch with her Dr. to help her through this. I'm sure that nobody will make her stay in a hospital against her will; but she has to reach out to those around her and treating her, instead of asking questions on this forum. Everybody's rooting for her, and hopes that she reaches out to the people who care for and about her!

///

Hi Splitimage, I'm glad that you had a good experience, because mine was a total nightmare. Nearly 8 years ago I was involuntarily admitted to Lutheran Hospital here in Brooklyn, and let me tell you it was nothing more than a holding pen. I was in very bad shape in a mania, and I did resent the fact that there was totally no privacy at all. The door had to be kept open at all times, and the "nurses" (if that's what you call them) thought that they were coming to a social club at night; laughing and shouting down the hall at each other. Not a single psychiatrist or therapist came near me for three weeks.
One time when I got it into my head that I was leaving, this BRUTE of a man caught me (I weigh 115lbs, real threatening, right?) roughly by the arm, dragged me down the hall, and threw me into my room.
My beautiful jewelry is all gone now. While with four girls @ Victory Memorial & St. Vincents Medical center for maternity, upon admittance they always asked me to hand over my jewelry for safekeeping. The clowns at Lutheran let crazy me into a psych ward with other strange people; and I have every last bit of my gold away. My wedding ring, engagement ring, claddagh ring, gold crucifix and gold necklaces. They never even noticed or cared that my jewelry was gone! So the last place in the world I ever want to end up again if I am sick in Lutheran Hospital. They threw me out after 3 weeks, said they weren't a long-term care facility, and I was still so sick. So that's my experience with psych wards!

Another thought I had came from my doctor (GP), he knows I'm afraid of psych hospitals and agreed to admit me on a medical unit for safety reasons if I reached that point. I have a good treatment team so hospitalization would just be for safety purposes not therapeutic ones...

I was scared my first time too, and one of the residents had a screaming fit in front of me in my first twenty minutes of being there. I was scared to death and cryed in my room for hours!!! BUT let me tell you what i was lucky and only had a three day stay. During my stay they fixed my meds for me, helped my husband understand my disease and help me go from psychotic and depressed to much less depressed, and controlled the psychosis. I was really happy they helped my husband set up a routiene for me at home, which made my transition from inpatient to halfway normal housewife again. In the long run the hospitalization helped me set up my life on the outside. I hope if you get hospitalized that you get as good (generaly) as an expereince as I did from it.

I just looked up that hospital you're talking about, and guess what? They have a unit called Phoenix House. I'm not sure, but I'm guessing this is like the Phoenix Place where I live. It is a FREE respite place where all they do is keep you safe. They don't do therapy or groups or many activities, you basically get a bed and a place with nothing you can harm yourself with.

That might be a better option if you are really afraid of the hospital.

411 US Hwy 301 – Sumterville FL
352-793-7002

Give them a call and see if they are like what I'm describing or not.

Please do not let yourself go so far that you actually attempt or commit suicide. You're recognizing that you are not well, and you're still in a point where you can save yourself. Don't wait too long.