[MichikoUsagi]

Would a mental hospital facility let you sort of.. tour the grounds? The past few weeks I feel like I need to be admitted but anytime I'm at that point, I get awful anxiety attacks and hives all over my legs. It sounds stupid, but I feel like I would be more willing to go if I've seen how they treat the patients and such. I've been told to just call them or talk to them but again.. I end up panicking. Let's get real here, I order my pizza online for a reason.

[ifst5]

Yes i'm pretty sure any hospital you're thinking of admitting yourself too would allow a visit. Please be aware though, you'll only get a clearer idea of what the place is really like once you're there - so ask lots of upfront questions and if they're honest with you that would say to me they don't have much if anything to hide.

If you intend to be a voluntary patient you're given a degree of freedom anyway. This means opportunities to leave the hospital, to walk it's grounds to have visitors etc.

Just do your research and make sure it's the kind of care that would be better received on an inpatient basis as there are lots of good treatment programs that can be had on an outpatient these days.

[MichikoUsagi]

Thanks so much for your response, ifst5.

[ForeverLonelyGirl]

Originally Posted by MichikoUsagi

Would a mental hospital facility let you sort of.. tour the grounds? The past few weeks I feel like I need to be admitted but anytime I'm at that point, I get awful anxiety attacks and hives all over my legs. It sounds stupid, but I feel like I would be more willing to go if I've seen how they treat the patients and such. I've been told to just call them or talk to them but again.. I end up panicking. Let's get real here, I order my pizza online for a reason.

From a person that has been in a hospital about 7 times, a few years back, my immediate thoughts were that seeing the place inside and out may just increase your anxiety. You most likely won't see how the patients are treated on a brief visit, and I don't even think for privacy reasons that you would be allowed around patients. You have to sign a lot of things that you won't divulge the identity of other patients. You might get a tour of areas that are free of patients. The only way to see how the patients are truly treated would be to hang around for a couple of hours. I know from both being a patient and also as a nurse that worked in a psych unit.

Also, to quote the above responder..."If you intend to be a voluntary patient you're given a degree of freedom anyway. This means opportunities to leave the hospital, to walk it's grounds to have visitors etc." I'm sorry to tell you but that is just simply not true, as I said from being on both sides of the situation.

Every patient has to be treated equally, otherwise any privileges give to one and not the other can cause huge battles and resentment between the patients. It just does not happen. Patients value any tiny bit of privileges they are given highly, in fact privileges are taken away for bad behavior or non compliance. I question that treatment very much, but I don't make the rules. The list of 'rules' for being a patient there is very long too by the way.

I think most hospital settings are for basically keeping you safe and alive, if you are a danger to yourself or others. That is what I was told many times. It's not for just severe anxiety, I tried to get admitted once for that when I was in the first stages of acute klonopin withdrawal and they refused to help me out. I was told that I had to be suicidal or a danger to others.

I know this all sounds very negative but unfortunately that is the way things are. I wish you the best!

[avlady]

i was also turned down a hospital stay i needed and wanted because they said i was not going to hurt myself or others. i was told it was anxiety that caused how i felt and wouldn't let me in. i really know i needed to be on the pshyc ward, and was even more upset after i left.

[SmileHere]

I had a mostly good experience in a mental health hospital, it was like being on vacation, but don't expect too much. We were mostly just well-fed and given pills, there were some other activities too, like 'work therapy' where people knitted or crocheted or painted or such, there was some 'group therapy' but it didn't seem very helpful to me... 'Art therapy' was totally not what I expected... There was some 'sports' too...
Not sure if they'd allow you to experience any of these things or talk to people there, yeah...

Maybe you'd have better luck trying to google for people talking online about any places you might consider? In our country there's a forum where people discuss these things too... Maybe people have even talked about it here on the forums or you could ask here? (Not sure if it's allowed or not, might ask a mod 1st)

Often people who signed in by themselves did go to 'open ward' immediately (those 'committed' there usually went to the 'closed' ward first), there are these workshops and freedom to go home on weekends and such on the open wards... This may be different in different countries or hospitals though-?

[ifst5]

I'm sorry but what i said about voluntary and involuntary patients is correct - at least in my country. And i've been both sectioned and voluntary. Not everyone admitted to a hospital is a danger to themselves and others and are allowed to function normally provided they're observed at regular intervals and live within hospital grounds.

I think we need to be careful not to taint hospitals as these places where only the craziest and most dangerous people end up. If we do our research and ask all the right questions, we can ensure that we give ourselves the best chance for treatment.

At the end of the day we have a responsibility too - if our expectations are to treat a hospital like a prison, or conversely, a hotel then aren't we setting ourselves up for disappointment?

Just do your research, be honest about what your expectations are and remember that as a voluntary patient you have a lot more responsibility and decision making to do in regards to your treatment.

Please don't be put off. You have a right to inpatient care if that's what you feel is best.

[cool09]

It's not like a resort. What goes on in hospitals is reality and the reality is there's not any pleasant people looking after the mentally ill. And nowadays insurance won't admit you to a psych ward unless you're a threat to yourself or someone else. In the early 90's it was different - you could admit yourself and stay for long periods. Not anymore. That's how all Psych Hospitals lost their money and went out of business. Stay out of the "hospital". It's not worth it. You might want to look into a Day program. Personally, that was a waste of time for me: quick and poor diagnoses and emphasis put on quick fixes (which doesn't exist).

[ifst5]

Originally Posted by cool09

It's not like a resort. What goes on in hospitals is reality and the reality is there's not any pleasant people looking after the mentally ill. And nowadays insurance won't admit you to a psych ward unless you're a threat to yourself or someone else. In the early 90's it was different - you could admit yourself and stay for long periods. Not anymore. That's how all Psych Hospitals lost their money and went out of business. Stay out of the "hospital". It's not worth it. You might want to look into a Day program. Personally, that was a waste of time for me: quick and poor diagnoses and emphasis put on quick fixes (which doesn't exist).

How can you tar the entire mental health profession with the same brush? There are some fantastic, wonderfully caring people who want to help those with ill mental health.

This also makes assumptions about the OP's insurance - there is not just one type of MH facility, they're all for varying types and degrees of illness. Some are high security, some are small and more patient centered in their care. Some offer intensive therapy programs, others are more focused on patient safety and rehabilitation.

We mustn't scare the OP into making a decision that might not be best for them. Research and free thinking is what's needed. Not biased generalizations.

[Angelique67]

Aren't we basing our opinions on our experiences? In the states my experience is exactly as ForeverLonelyGirl said although I have no idea if there are any private places. I couldn't get into them with my insurance.

[ifst5]

I've had some horrendous experiences of hospital treatment - but that doesn't give me the right to go around condemning every one. We don't know the OP's situation or what their means are. If they have the opportunity to check into somewhere appropriate i'm sure they will - and to be honest, if they had no intention to, why would they have been asking?

[Angelique67]

Because it pays to ask questions, but there are no answers regarding mental wards unless you've been on one. - As a patient or working there.

Eta: and every hospital is different.

[ifst5]

Originally Posted by Angelique67

Because it pays to ask questions, but there are no answers regarding mental wards unless you've been on one. - As a patient or working there.

Eta: and every hospital is different.

I'm not sure how this goes against anything i've already said?

OP: Another important thing to do here might be to ask for inspection reports of the place you intend to visit. As i've already said, nothing can prepare you for the reality of inpatient life but you can do everything possible to help prepare yourself. I'd also like to point out that voluntary inpatients stays are not irreversible, that is to say, you can LEAVE at any point.

I'm sorry if all you feel is confusion since coming here - that's not what this place should be about

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by ifst5

I'm not sure how this goes against anything i've already said?

OP: Another important thing to do here might be to ask for inspection reports of the place you intend to visit. As i've already said, nothing can prepare you for the reality of inpatient life but you can do everything possible to help prepare yourself. I'd also like to point out that voluntary inpatients stays are not irreversible, that is to say, you can LEAVE at any point.

I'm sorry if all you feel is confusion since coming here - that's not what this place should be about

No, you can't leave. I was voluntary last time I was in. I could not leave until they discharged me which was up to them if they would. I have no idea where you were but this isn't true of municipal hospitals.

[ifst5]

Originally Posted by Angelique67

No, you can't leave. I was voluntary last time I was in. I could not leave until they discharged me which was up to them if they would. I have no idea where you were but this isn't true of municipal hospitals.

By leaving i don't mean just walking out - discharge has to happen for any patient, but there's no reason why it wouldn't be granted if they felt a patient was safe enough to be out of hospital care?

I realize there are many, many issues with ill treatment from MH hospitals. I've been exposed to enough of it myself. Personally i don't think people kick up enough of a stink about it - not that they're always able to and this is the problem.

Still, i'd always recommend that once a person does have an opportunity to complain, they then do so - feedback can be left anonymously and there are bodies outside of governmental control that would welcome such information.

I think it can help with the process of closure too.

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by ifst5

By leaving i don't mean just walking out - discharge has to happen for any patient, but there's no reason why it wouldn't be granted if they felt a patient was safe enough to be out of hospital care?

I realize there are many, many issues with ill treatment from MH hospitals. I've been exposed to enough of it myself. Personally i don't think people kick up enough of a stink about it - not that they're always able to and this is the problem.

Still, i'd always recommend that once a person does have an opportunity to complain, they then do so - feedback can be left anonymously and there are bodies outside of governmental control that would welcome such information.

I think it can help with the process of closure too.

You can feel like leaving before they'll decide to discharge you by a few days or more. Again, this is in municipal hospitals. Private ones may work differently but public ones follow state statutes.

[~Christina]

To answer the question if you can go tour a facility .. No you can not because that would be a HIPPA violation to the patients there.

[ForeverLonelyGirl]

Originally Posted by ifst5

I'm sorry but what i said about voluntary and involuntary patients is correct - at least in my country. And i've been both sectioned and voluntary. Not everyone admitted to a hospital is a danger to themselves and others and are allowed to function normally provided they're observed at regular intervals and live within hospital grounds.

I think we need to be careful not to taint hospitals as these places where only the craziest and most dangerous people end up. If we do our research and ask all the right questions, we can ensure that we give ourselves the best chance for treatment.

At the end of the day we have a responsibility too - if our expectations are to treat a hospital like a prison, or conversely, a hotel then aren't we setting ourselves up for disappointment?

Just do your research, be honest about what your expectations are and remember that as a voluntary patient you have a lot more responsibility and decision making to do in regards to your treatment.

Please don't be put off. You have a right to inpatient care if that's what you feel is best.

I'm sorry but in the United States, which maybe the OP should clarify which country he/she is looking to enter, admission may be voluntary but you certainly cannot leave when you "feel better". There is a period that you must stay, usually 48-72 hours until you can be discharged. Most are held for 3 days on average.

Since I worked as a psychiatric nurse in a behaviorial unit in my state and was then a patient in 3 different hospitals unfortunately on 7 different occasions, I am not sure why you would not think I would know the facts about that or the laws.

None of them are like resorts or being on vacation I assure you OP. Do not be misled to think that. They certainly can feel like prisons, but not all of them. You must follow strict rules of behavior. Never once did I see any patient allowed more privileges than the other, unless one was on lockdown and not allowed out of their room.

I would not try to 'taint' them, several of my experiences were horrendous, however if inpatient care is what is necessary then that is what will happen. It is completely up to the hospital and the physicians what will take place. It is not up to the patient whatsoever. There are some less strict and more amicable psychiatric units in some hospitals. Geography does play a huge role.

OP I wish you the best and hope you have a good doctor or therapist to guide you!

[ifst5]

Originally Posted by ForeverLonelyGirl

I'm sorry but in the United States, which maybe the OP should clarify which country he/she is looking to enter, admission may be voluntary but you certainly cannot leave when you "feel better". There is a period that you must stay, usually 48-72 hours until you can be discharged. Most are held for 3 days on average.

Since I worked as a psychiatric nurse in a behaviorial unit in my state and was then a patient in 3 different hospitals unfortunately on 7 different occasions, I am not sure why you would not think I would know the facts about that or the laws.

None of them are like resorts or being on vacation I assure you OP. Do not be misled to think that. They certainly can feel like prisons, but not all of them. You must follow strict rules of behavior. Never once did I see any patient allowed more privileges than the other, unless one was on lockdown and not allowed out of their room.

I would not try to 'taint' them, several of my experiences were horrendous, however if inpatient care is what is necessary then that is what will happen. It is completely up to the hospital and the physicians what will take place. It is not up to the patient whatsoever. There are some less strict and more amicable psychiatric units in some hospitals. Geography does play a huge role.

OP I wish you the best and hope you have a good doctor or therapist to guide you!

I'm not saying you don't know the facts - but it's not the same for every location or even within the United States. A lot still depends on reason for admission and insurance/hospital. Again you haven't mentioned anything which I haven't already wrote; that discharge is subject to approval, that hospitals are about a plan towards getting better etc etc - no one here has mentioned hospitals being like a holiday resort or that there aren't house rules and different level of obs/privileges.

I too wish the OP the best but I won't be contributing further, I don't appreciate explaining myself again and again for the purpose of not being listened to in the first place

[SmileHere]

I'm from Europe and I'm the one who wrote it felt like being 'on holiday' Yes, there were rules, waking up early and going to bed at certain hours, etc. Still, I met many cool people and it was interesting, we played table tennis etc. when on 'open ward'.
Some of what I wrote may be for this particular mh hospital - I've only been in one.
Some people had a choice to stay there or not, probably after a certain amount of time.
Also, some nurses were really very nice!

For me, the only problem was, I would prefer a low/no med approach, and that hasn't existed in our country yet. Everyone in the mh hospital was on mostly several meds, some had a lot. One patient had problems, and the more she complained, the more meds she was given, and the worse she felt.

OP, I would explore other options first too - if you can find help elsewhere, go for it. Otherwise going to a hospital is better than something happening to you! It's not a magical place that will solve all your problems just like that, so be ready to work on yourself, if you choose to go or not.

[MichikoUsagi]

I know that this question is hard to answer because each hospital can be very different from the next but I appreciate everyone giving their responses and their personal experiences. I'm going to call them on Monday and ask for any information I can get. Thank you to everyone who replied and I apologize, I didn't mean for this thread to get so heated or confusing. I understood everything you all were saying. In the end, I will definitely do more research and look into other options.

The hospital for me right now is a last case scenario. If it ends up being a horrible experience but keeps me alive another day, then it would be worth whatever bad things the hospital has to offer. I appreciate everyone for commenting and letting me know about their experiences and situations. I'm sorry to those that had to feel like they needed to repeat themselves, but I got all of your messages loud and clear! I hope no one walks away from this thread with ill feelings.

Thank you guys! I really really appreciate it. Different views and opinions is what I was looking for. So thank you.

[ChipperMonkey]

If you can get into a private hospital, I highly recommend going that route. I have been in both public and private hospitals. The private hospital is a top rated hospital for trauma, and was a completely different world than the public hospital. If it is a "hospital" then you will be subjected to hospital type rules, regardless of whether or not you are voluntary or involuntary. I think what was being argued was more along the lines of a hospital versus a treatment program. They are quite different in their treatment of patients, rules, etc. If you're looking for a way to stay alive, you're not looking for a treatment program as they can't typically offer you a higher level of safety like a locked down hospital unit can. If you need the help, then go for it. Every day I was in the private hospital I called my family and cried that I wanted to come home. Years later and I still know deep down that if I get bad again, I would go back in a heartbeat. My family thinks that it was the worst time in my life and I'd never go back. It was no pleasure cruise, but my healing was accelerated by hospitalization. I was able to get years worth of therapy in just a few months. I honestly feel bad for those who are so resistant to hospitalization and then struggle for years and years with once a week therapy and continue to barely function. The loss of freedom for a few months is terrifying but the price paid is definitely worth it in the end. But, you've gotta find a good hospital or else your experience won't be anything like mine. I wish you the best.

I wouldn't try to get yourself admitted unless you feel you are becoming a true danger to yourself and if they are I'm sure they will be more than glad to admit you for a while. Being in a mental hospital is awful though, not that anybody will do anything to you, that's pretty unlikely. It's just completely and utterly boring, basically staring at walls all day long