[The Fox & the Hound]

Recently, I have been wondering about this would be like. A relative was recently admit to a Psych Ward, though he doesn't want to talk about it, which I totally understand.

Lets say you went there do a suicide attempt...
So, what happens? What's the worst that could happen?
How long is stay usually?
Are you forced to take meds?

Yes, I did have to ask this question...Did anyone have good food? From what I know it just tastes really bland, & not so great

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by The Fox & the Hound

Recently, I have been wondering about this would be like. A relative was recently admit to a Psych Ward, though he doesn't want to talk about it, which I totally understand.

Lets say you went there do a suicide attempt...
So, what happens? What's the worst that could happen?
How long is stay usually?
Are you forced to take meds?

Yes, I did have to ask this question...Did anyone have good food? From what I know it just tastes really bland, & not so great

what happens varies. it all depends on the person going in to the psych ward, what their needs are...

example for one person entering the hospital here in NY as suicidal they would be escorted up on the ward, given a room, assigned a psychiatrist and therapist, and then told the routine, assigned classes, meds, .....

for a different person entering the hospital as suicidal they may be asked to remove their clothing and personal objects, examined to make sure they have no drugs alcohol, weapons, given a hospital gown, given a tour of the ward, routine, assigned a psychiatrist.

some someone else entering as suicidal it could be all they need is a medication vacation where they are allowed to keep their clothing and personal property but are removed from all their meds, detoxed and then new meds.

some people are forced to take meds others are not, some people stay only a few days others stay 2 weeks or longer.

hospital meals are also individualized according to what each persons dietary needs/allergies/ health issues are.

if you entered the psych ward your experience with everything is going to be different than that of your relatives. its going to be based on you, your own health issues, your own dietary needs, your own meds or lack there of, your own routine......

[(JD)]

It isn't fun, but generally safe.

Generally they search all of your belongings and remove anything not allowed. Those items not allowed are "sharps" (scissors, shaving razors, etc.) and often cell phones, tablets etc. You might get supervised use of said items though, later on. They also check your clothes and luggage etc for medication. And yes, you generally do have to take medication. Your doctor gives the hospital the script and you get in line with everyone else, get the med and a cup of water and have to take it right there in front of the nurse and show your mouth open that you swallowed it...

There are times that you are not allowed in your room, and times you will be expected to stay in your room. Usually if there is a group meeting or class of some sort, you will be locked out of your room and unable to enter it during the times you are to be in group etc.

There are usually activities available: watching tv, drawing/coloring, reading, and sometimes there's an open-air area when smokers may smoke.

If someone is on suicide watch then every few minutes a nurse will come to check on them, wherever they are...even during the night sleeping time.

Outbursts and disorderly conduct, yelling at nurses or doctors etc will not be tolerated and if after being warned a patient does not quiet herself, they will have a "show of force" by the hospital. This is where several large security team members enter the unit and pick the person up and take them to a single lock up room where they stay until they calm. (A very violent person might even be strapped into the bed there.)

But now for the better side. If you don't like the food, talk to the nutritionist for what you prefer to eat. Most want to accommodate you as they do want you to eat and be healthy while there. What you eat and don't eat is noted in the record, btw. (And also each day you have a mini health check of whether you had a bm, what your bp is etc.)

It's a safe place, usually. You have to cooperate but if you do, and work on getting better, you'll be fine. It's a place where you don't have to worry about intruders from your life (you can block others from visiting you, or even calling to see how you are or if you're in there)... and the outside world can just wait while you are in that safe place.

Hospital psychiatric wards are for stabilizing a patient. While there a patient is put on medication, or has her medication adjusted to work better, given a safe place to be without fear of harm, and creates an ongoing therapy plan for when they are back at home again.

[gayleggg]

I agree with JD description. Just wanted to add a couple of things. Usually you have a roommate. You have other things like art therapy, gym for exercise, group therapy sessions, some have family sessions. Then the group room usually has like JD said TV, games, a phone you can use. They encourage inactive activities to get people used to dealing with other people. I've been in two different ones. The only thing is weekends are pretty boring.

[krisakira]

boooorrrrrriiiiiiinnnnnnggggggggggggg

[Canyon]

The fox and the hound, I noticed that it says that you live in the States. I assume that is the US.

For the most part, here in the US the time that you stay inpatient tends to be pretty short because of insurance. JD is correct in that you will need to show compliance with taking meds if they are prescribed. For the most part they really don't allow much in the way of electronics such as cell phones, laptops, or tablets. I think there are a few reasons for that but I think the biggest is due to HIPPA privacy laws and the fact that pretty much all of those have cameras on them these days.

The quality of hospitals can vary hugely because some are private (meaning you need private insurance or pay out of pocket) and then others are public (means they take medicaid and those who are not insured). The private ones are almost always a bit nicer. They tend to have better food, tend to be better staffed and offer more in the way of therapy. I have found that most of the public ones seem to be more about warehousing a person, keeping them safe, and getting started on meds.

There can be lots of drama at times because of people dealing with all types of mental problems. The inpatient psychiatric units here are pretty much all locked units, which means you can not leave without a staff member until you are leaving for discharge. Some do have short couple hour passes that you can get when you are more stable.

The food almost always sucks. They can also be a bit noisy with people having occasional freak outs.

In short, they are basically for a person to go to long enough to get over being suicidal/ homicidal and then released. You certainly don't go to them to get fixed or work on long term issues.

If a person is suicidal or homicidal then that is what they are for nowadays.

Not the most happy place on earth to say the least.

[Hellion]

It varies, the last one I was in wasn't that bad at all. I went there because I was feeling suicidal. But yeah after the first couple days I was able to go to the cafeteria that was off unit and was able to go on walks with staff of course. The food was good, the groups where encouraged so you could talk about things to help deal with problems and figure out goals for being discharged.

The one I went to before that was just a small ward inside a bigger hospital. There was no supervised walks or anything so I was stuck in the same place inside for 5 days. I was not forced to take medications at either one, it was recommended and they implied if you don't it could prolong your stay because the symptoms would likely persist. But that might vary in different places.

[ResaLock]

Originally Posted by krisakira

boooorrrrrriiiiiiinnnnnnggggggggggggg

Just you writing booorrrriiinnnngggggggg.... was FUNNY!


I personally didn't think it was boring, but you thought it was boring, so empathising with your feelings about it. Made what could be boring FUNNY!

Yea I probably just made it boring again for you....thats funny.

[ResaLock]

Originally Posted by The Fox & the Hound

Recently, I have been wondering about this would be like. A relative was recently admit to a Psych Ward, though he doesn't want to talk about it, which I totally understand.

Lets say you went there do a suicide attempt...
So, what happens? What's the worst that could happen?
How long is stay usually?
Are you forced to take meds?

Yes, I did have to ask this question...Did anyone have good food? From what I know it just tastes really bland, & not so great

If your there for suicide attempt or even someone accuses you of it, and they believe it. Its a forced stay. They can commit you if you refuse to volunteer to stay. Committing you, is taking away your rights to choose to stay. Some places can be horrible, it all depends.

Some places get bad staff because they can't find help and need to fill places. People don't want to do it. When that happens, your treated like a prisoner who committed some horrible crime. Your looked down on and as though your ignorant who doesn't know anything. Most of the time they do force you to take medication against your will.
They will use tactics such as it will make things all better, and people who stop taking medication is why they will wind up back.
They basically blame you for all the problems in the world we get stressed out about.

The therapy sessions will mostly consists of games, exercises, and crafts and art. To fill space to act like their doing something for treatment. When we can actually do that on the outside ourselves. These fillers for time take the place of actually discussing the problem. ---Some may have group therapy to discuss things.

If they find you crying or expressing emotions they will seclude you. Usually some staff will make you angry and/or say ignorant things, intentional or unintentional and for that if it upsets you and you even cry about it...they will lock you up in a room. If someone goes off, or they assume you will. (even if you wouldn't or did not) They will restrain you to a bed for 4 hrs. and drug you up.

You have dangers of being sexually harassed. If you tell, the staff will slander you, making up false reports and you could get false diagnosis and even more dangerous medication.

MOST OF THE TIME! YOUR OPINION OR WANT/ NEED DOESN"T COUNT!

If you get admitted and there for suicidal, your automatically deemed as mentally ill. You will be branded for the rest of your life with this mark. Your in the system and most chances he will be held over your head by others on the outside for the rest of your life.

The food varies at places. There are more private places that have the BEST food. Other places will serve state canned/ processed food. With canned veggies.

Some places do not let you out but only for an hour a day.

They threaten you with being institutionalized at a state place that is like jail. ..and still like those places you can find on youtube. They do this if you do not comply or fully participate in their activities, or they threaten you with longer stay if you do not show your are happy and give them gratitude for what they do. Telling them how you feel better and how they made you better and agree the medication is helping and all the problems you suffer is really do to a mental illness [and not a messed up world]

They consider you not feeling anymore or crying anymore. Do to the medication manipulating your natural responses. Is you getting better! When in reality the medications do 2 main things. #1 Destroys your female hormones. Which every male and female has the opposite of in them. #2 It destroys your emotional responses of the brain. They consider this normal.

[IzzyMeadows]

This thread did not help my fear at all.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

I am not in a psych ward but soon I will be in a rehabilitation facility. Does this count?

[Silent Void]

Been to a couple of places.

Booby Hatch #1: Starved us of stimulation and wouldn't let us go outside. We were locked out of all bathrooms but one because the staff didn't want to do their jobs and look after the women so they wouldn't be raped. The food was awful and there was very little of it. I saw a doctor once in seven days.

Booby Hatch #2: Played games with our heads. Gave us drugs via unusual delivery systems (stamps, etc.). Allowed male patients into our rooms, then told us we were paranoid about assault. The only plus was the food was good and the place was clean. I saw the doctor every day.

Were you in danger of being raped by the males?

[liveforfish]

Originally Posted by IzzyMeadows

This thread did not help my fear at all.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

I have had positive experiences staying inpatient. While the unit is locked, it's just like staying in any other hospital. It was like a mini vacation for me. I got a break from my life. I didn't have to cook or clean and had time to relax.

I got a lot of benefits out of the daily classes and learned a lot about myself. I got stabilized and learned about my illness, Bipolar.

Don't be afraid. My son has had 4 hospitalizations for his syczophrenia. The last one really changed his life. He got into a day program that really helped him. He gave up drinking, smoking, and drugs over a year ago.

Think if it as a hospitalization just like for a medical reason. You go to get better.

[The_little_didgee]

Originally Posted by Silent Void

Gave us drugs via unusual delivery systems (stamps, etc.).

Stamps? Can you explain?

[possum220]

All psych wards are different and it also depends on the nature of who is in there.
It also depends on if it is public of private.

The only way you can tell what a particular ward is like is by asking some-one who has been in that particular one. They all vary alot. I have been in the same on a few time and my experience changed with the mental stability/instability of other around me.

A private hospital would be better. They have programs that should keep you occupied. If you are being booked into hospital ring and ask if they have run programs. Google the hospital.

[SeekerOfLife]

I went over the weekend (three days). My pockets had to be emptied. They took away my shoelaces. I was in lockdown. There were four bedrooms--two for women, and two for men. Thats eight people in lockdown. There was a video camera in my room. There was a lounge. I was very bored. There were classes to attend, but most of the time no one came to get me.( I really wanted to go). I was cold. I was not able to get enough blankets. A nurse ? checked me every couple of hours and asked if I had any thoughts of k*****g myself. The staff were pretty nice. The food was fair. The coffee was horrible. Once the maintenance man was working and left the door open--I could have left/just walked out. But I did not because they probably would have made me stay longer, and because I know I needed help.

[Silent Void]

Originally Posted by Illegal Toilet

Were you in danger of being raped by the males?

I was very nervous about them. I don't think men and women should be together. I was not at ease and could not focus on my problems for worrying about being assaulted.

[Silent Void]

Originally Posted by The_little_didgee

Stamps? Can you explain?

I asked for stamps to mail my disability paperwork from the hospital. They looked like regular stamps but they felt fuzzy. This is a common delivery system for LSD.

This place was nice, but they played headgames with the patients.

I have been in a number of psyc wards, and let me tell you, it is not a place you want to go.

Private is definitely better than public, and being voluntary is much nicer than being sectioned. Food is awful, violence is rife, you are treated like absolute crap when you are sectioned. Do all you can to avoid ever being sectioned.

Private clinics have a lot to offer, but if you ever go you will meet the revolving door patients, people that go to hospital then never learn how to cope without it. Many of them think hospital is a nice vacation from the real world, they just dont see how damaging it is. It is a terrible habit to get into, and expensive for them, many saving up so they can be looked after in hospital. Makes me shake my head because hospitals are not there for people who want a holiday from real life.

In my experience (which is a lot) do ALL you can to ever avoid going there. It is much nicer (and sometimes safer) to deal with it at home. All they do for you in hospital is drug you up til you can go home, that is something that is much more pleasant to do while at home.

I've been inpatient twice in my life. More than anything else, it was boring. The days passed sooo slowly. Patients watched TV, I mostly read a book. I did, however, feel relieved, relaxed and like I could drop all pretenses and be myself while in the hospital. Meeting other patients was interesting, and some of them were really nice, people I was glad to have met. There was one older lady, once, who put a pillow over my face while I was sleeping....that was a rather terrifying event, but I kicked and yelled and the nurse came right away. Being hospitalized expedited my medication stuff. I left the hospital with a decent medication plan. I'd say the worst part for me was the slight, but present, fear of being injured by someone who was out of control (although I didn't feel that was a really big concern) and having to sleep with a low-watt light on all night. I hated that. Certainly not every hospital does that, though.

[possum220]

Sorry, I didn't read the first post properly.

The facilities in Australia for those who have attempted suicide are extremely limited. They are very quick to get you off their premises as soon as possible. The hospital I was in did try to separate males and females. Their focus is geared more towards those who are bipolar or psychotic. The funding fore mental health is appauling.

If you've ever been to jail, it is like that. The food is food, all food is good if you are hungry enough. It is cold there. You are treated like an untrustworthy invalid. I have never benefited from going. Although, I did not have a choice lol. I did like the other people there, so interesting and unusual! There is good and bad in all places but its just like any other hospital in the sense that you are not well and you need help, so of course it won't be a bed of roses. Ask an ICU patient in the best hospital in the world what it is like and you will find similar answers. Unpleasant, yet necessary perhaps, also inevitable sometimes. Don't go there unless you have to I suppose. It does feel pretty safe there, at least it did for me. I was away from the 'real world' etc. and in an environment that allowed me to come to my senses in some respects, meanwhile I would never have agreed to go on my own at times. Que sera, sera.

[too SHy]

Unfortunately, there is nothing good about being sick in the hospital, no matter what kind. I agree with everything that's been said, for the most part. I am terrified of being committed to one of these places ever again. (((((hugs)))))

[(JD)]

Nothing to fear really, because it is there to keep you safe from harm...though the experience and surroundings are different and at time uncomfortable, there's nothing to fear.

Oh and another thing--it may take your psychiatrist (or the one assigned to you) a few DAYS to get your medication prescription to the ward, and another day or so to come in and see you. It feels like wasted time, but really it gives the patient a chance to square away and possibly not need all the extra hoopla.