Head Games in the Psych Ward

I've been in three psych wards. In two of them the staff messed with my head. The following are examples of what was done:

• The staff would rearrange my shelf and take things like my toilet paper and my snacks.
• They would change my meals so that I didn't get coffee or something else I liked.
• I firmly believe there were psych students on the ward because one day when I didn't get coffee I made some and another "patient" got very angry with me and tried to keep me from drinking it.
• They would put different colored Post-It notes on my food tray at every meal.
• They would arrange the toiletries on my sink in a specific way. If I didn't put them back that way they would arrange them their way again.
• They locked my bathroom so that I could only use the public bathroom in the hallway.

These things happened to me daily or multiple times per day. They deepened my depression and exacerbated my psychosis. Other things happened, but my memory has gotten so bad because of my illness that I can't remember them.

I was in a place where I should have been made to feel as safe as possible and, in reality, I didn't feel safe at all. One night I asked to be locked in my room. That is how unsafe I felt.

I didn't talk to anyone about it because I was terrified.

If you have been hospitalized, have you been messed with? If so, what was done? How did you feel about it? Did you talk to anyone about it?

Can't say I was ever 'messed with' but I know for part of my admission I got very confused, a lot of it was a blur and things got mixed up in my head... was where I was at... for example I believe that a member of staff had said something (threat of being sectioned if I insisted on leaving after I had been admitted voluntarily) when in fact it was one of the others working there (and should not have said it as was in contravention of the wards p-docs instructions).

Only got straightened out when my wife confirmed I'd got it muddled up as she had been involved partially in the conversations after I had accused that person in anger of lying by phone to my wife (not my finest moment as was pretty public and they were furious).

If it hadn't been for my wife (who I trust 100%), then yes, I would probably still be convinced that they'd been pissing me around.

Now that is not for a second me trying to put to doubt what happened with you... just that, being on a psych ward can be a very stressful experience that rather than 'calms' you... leads to possible lack of sleep, self consciousness, increased anxiety and/or a feeling of being trapped: you are after all in a secure place of 'safety'... and it is the safety side of things (for yourself and others) that psych wards primarily cater for till the right meds are found to stabilise you.

Just my take on things.

I really don't know much about this but it sounds like organised stalking and it's definitely doesn't sound good for you.

This is exactly what I would expect someone to say to me. I'm nuts, so I imagined what happened to me.

Thanks.

ive felt abused by the staff several times in the pshyc wards

Honestly, I've no idea if you imagined it or not, could only give the example of my experience as I know I got very befuddled over certain things happening I apologise if it wasn't 'helpful' as such.

People do get up to crazy stuff to relieve their boredom even if it means being very unprofessional and inconsiderate... so yes, it's 'possible' that some staff members were messing you around on the notion that you'd hardly be credibly seen in the right state of mind to argue the case.

So yeah, if that was the case... then I'm disgusted.

Are you voluntary? If not then you still have rights - i'd demand advocacy and make sure there's an outside body looking out for you. No one should feel harassed regardless of whatever's wrong with them. Can you get a copy of your treatment plan to see if there are any explanations as to why the staff are treating you this way? It could well be part of the treatment though this should have been explicitly discussed. Other than that i would recommend speaking to the head honcho there and demanding an explanation or threaten legal action. You're not being help captive you have a right to know what's going on and why. If all else fails surely you can request to be transferred somewhere else? Sorry is this is all very obvious logical advice but the only way to fight the system - is to fight it. Good luck.

I'm done commenting on my own thread. I'd delete it, but I can't.

I've basically been accused of imagining the events in the OP because I was psychotic at the time. This caused me to go ballistic. I'm an intelligent human being. I know damn well what was done to me, but another member, mentally ill him/herself, doubts my veracity.

So be it.

In fact, I believe I'll take a break from this forum.

Yes, I believe you, I've been in a psych hospital twice. I know for sure that some of the staff were not there to help, and did things to intimidate and make me feel more messed up than I was. Didn't think anyone would believe me in how I was treated, so I never said anything. It still bothers me. It's so wrong, everyone is vulnerable in the hospital, I do believe that some staff want to mess with a persons head.

Thank you.

I believe you. And I'm disgusted that some staff want to mess with people's heads who they are supposed to (and trained to) care for

Fuzzy

Most psych ward staff have no interest in helping people. Those places are all about control and shutting one up with powerful medications. The place traumatized me (and they got away with abuse) so I have nothing really positive to say except that I was fed.

I have been through psychosis too. No one can understand what it feels like unless they have been through it. Psychosis isn't nuts. It is real.

Bleh.

Was wondering whether to just let it drop and acknowledge I made an error in judgement in 1. the health care system in general and 2. our own perceptions while under stress.

I clearly stated that I was talking from my own experiences and was curious if my take on things had anything you could relate to... I did not at any point accuse you of lying/imagining things so kindly don't take your anger out on people because they don't say 'exactly' what you want to hear.

Yes, I am not well either... why make it into some personal slagging match? I have and had no issues or reason to doubt you... was posting as objectively as I could. I'm sorry if you took offence to that. But I'm not going to be some whipping boy when we're here to support each other.

Now, onto the topic and taking it in the literal sense that as you've said 'this all happened', then it is disgusting (which I also mentioned earlier) and if it was a recent occurrence, could well be worth writing a formal complaint once discharged or if you are still in hospital, raising the problem with either a senior member of staff or an advocacy service.

I have been both in the medical and psych wards and I was abused in both places. Even The critical care unit was abusive and I was near death.

Hospitals in general are horrible places and I believe anyone who claims abuse.

What type of reputation did this Psych Hospital or Ward have? Just run-of-the-mill, low-funded ward to place people who were having problems?

I was in a very reputable Institute in 90's in a big East Coast City and I got very little direction/advice from Staff and was treated poorly a few times. Psych techs didn't know what they were doing and one called me "crazy". I told my Psychologist and the three of us sat down for a meeting and the tech had nothing to say about the allegation. I sat in a tiny group therapy once with a nurse and therapist and neither said a thing during the session while the rest of us were silent. I could have really used some direction at that time but they chose not to oblige, I suppose. That stupid Gestalt Therapy is BS (ie. patients are supposed to work problems out themselves - it's not that easy when your moods and everything else aren't even close to functioning correctly.)