[Noncomposmentis8]

I have a phobia of meds...and I have a panic disorder...I need to takeKlonopin and Prozac...and I cant take the meds...so I want to check myself in so I can take them and be monitored the whole time...

Whats the treatment like there? Whats it like in general? how long will it last? Can I bring like an mp3 player or a gameboy or something? will they let me do that? Whats the sleeping conditions like Can I wear what I want...etc...Thanks

ps...can they really force you to take the meds? Can I sign myself out? or what...

I don't know about the psych hospitals around you. At the one I've been to a few (6,7,8) times they don't allow you to have mp3's, pc's, etc. You check everything in at the door.

But....hospitals vary widely in their quality of care, the programs they have and quality of staff. Probably the best thing would be to call them directly. Ask them if you can bring personal items.

Good luck.

[(JD)]

If you sign yourself in, and you are not suicidal or homicidal, you can sign yourself out. I doubt any insurance company would pay for more than two weeks to become "stablized" on meds, but I doubt you would need that long to learn to when and how to take them. (Since you are already taking them.)

You do get to wear your own clothes, as long as there are no "sharps" involved. Sharps are anything that can cause injury such as scissors, razors, mirrors, glass, metal etc. Things that heat up like curling irons are locked up too. Any sharps you have for personal use/care are locked up and used by you only under supervision. Other personal electronics are locked up too, but you might get to use them under short supervisory time, though I doubt a cellphone or computer will be allowed at all. You are limited to phone calls via the unit phone...when they allow.

Generally there is a tv to watch. There will also be sessions of group activity that you will have to participate in. You won't be allowed to stay in your room, as the doors are locked (locking you out.) You eat when they eat, take meds when they give them (usually have you all line up and you take them in view of them) and each morning they might take vitals signs recordings...heart, weight, and bowel movements. Your MD that permitted you to enter the hospital will probably visit by the 3rd day. If you have a T who is not an MD, then the T has to have permission from your MD (psychiatrist) to continue to work with you in the hospital. (Psychologists don't have hospital privileges on the average.)

You don't have to sleep when everyone else does, but the nurses probably won't let you hang out with them at the center counter area. Plus, you will have to get up when everyone else does anyway...

It isn't a resort, but it is safe. Hospitals are for the very purpose you appear to need one: to keep you safe while you try to work out a problem, this one being medication. I have such allergic reactions to psychotropic drugs that anytime I wanted to try a new one, I had to go to hospital too.

good wishes.

[Direction]

I've been in two hospitals and they were less stringent then what Sky experienced...I would guess it varies greatly...I think the best thing to do is ask them what you should expect...

Heart rate twice a day to make sure blood pressure doesn't drop with meds

Group session...if you didn't go you were generally encouraged...

End of day Activity time...cards...dart board, pool table, even a bowling lane (very unique) - Separate area

Craft time - separate area

Puzzle and and cards and other games were available

TV

Meds were brought to us where ever we were

If on suicide watch some found you every 30 minutes

You could stay in your room ... if you wanted to nap...one had a shower in it and the other hospital had a couple common ones...

I got to choose from a basic menu...food was actually pretty good...

I was allowed visitors

No cell phones or PDA (mine took pictures)

Smoking allowed in a closed room generally opened ever so often

Had my own clothes, but I kind of like the scrubs

Two time/day sit downs with nurse

Visit each day from pdoc

Lights out at 10...but you didn't have to sleep...I was allowed to stay in the common area though the lights were still out..

While entering plan on being search and body reviewed for any marks or bruises...done fairly tastefully...it made me feel safe that I knew others would have to be searched for anything that could harm me...

Overall ... I would do it again...have had thoughts about doing it again...

[(JD)]

Thanks Direction, yes I meant to add that my posting was in general, and not necessarily the way it is everywhere. Glad you added the smoking part...as I think all of them have a patio or area for those who smoke, under supervision (but you have to get "lit up" by a staffer )

And yes, good for remembering about the luggage and light body/clothing search...for sharps and extra medicines too.

Hospitalization can be a good thing, and I think going for medicine safety is one way to utilize it.

[asylumgardens]

I was only in one for three days, but it was just as the whole hospital (not just psych ward) was becoming non-smoking, so I was around a bunch of unstable people being forced to quit smoking! I don't smoke, so it didn't bother me, but wow there was some anger.

I never saw a doctor at all until the day of my release. I had met him in the ER so I did talk then, but over all weekend I wanted someone to talk to and I had no one, so I found that to be a big flaw. I was there over a weekend, though, so maybe they just didn't do weekend visits.

We could stay in our rooms all day if we wanted. Group stuff happened, but it wasn't mandatory. The only thing is, the people who do participation and not sleep in bed all day are the ones who will get to leave sooner.

I found the staff to be pretty amazing, in general, though. I am very supportive of people going into hospitalization if they need it, but it was like a major low point in my life. To think things had gotten that bad for me was pretty horrible. I think going for medication reasons is very good because if you can't get stabilized you might end up there for more drastic and bad reasons, which is not good. I wish I had sought out help sooner.

[Noncomposmentis8]

Are there people there of all ages? or will I be put with people my age? I'm 18.

[Direction]

Adults are put with adults...ages vary from 18 to gosh 60's from my experience.

[Noncomposmentis8]

wow...I wouldnt want to be roomed with an older man.

[ChrisM]

I have had good hospital stays, and bad ones, / I once said it was like jail. They watch your every move. I found the hospital very safe when I was suicidal. It is not a terrible place , you really have to need to be there, to get admitted. You can sign yourself in and sign a 72 hour notice telling them when you want to leave. But, they are locked floors. It is not a place you want to be if you dont have too~~ Chris

[(JD)]

"to gosh 60s" ??? OT but really now, it isn't that old!

If they have space to move ppl around, they try to put similar in same rooms. You won't have a private room, btw, but shared. If it's a big split in age, sometimes it's because one of them is discharging soon?

Have you decided what to do yet?

[Cheri]

Depending on where you live, you may not be able to even get into a hospital unless you are very unstable, hearing voices, unable to care for yourself, suicidal or homicidal. Unfortunately, due to the government not wanting to subsidize psych beds, a lot of units have closed or downsized over the last decade.

I just got back from a 6-day stay following a very serious situation, but the emergency room where I went wasn't able to find a single bed available in my county, which is in a major metropolitan area. I had to be transported 45 miles to another county; that was the nearest open unit! I doubt seriously I would have been able to get in anywhere just to have meds adjusted, but it may be different where you live.

My first roommate was my age, but the girl who checked in the night before I left was only 18, and I am 45. They may or may not be able to accommodate your desire to have a like-aged roommate, but I wouldn't count on it.

In the unit I was on, which was very small, we were only allowed 3 changes of clothes, no sharps, no drawstrings, no shoelaces. If you didn't have appropriate clothing, you got to wear paper scrubs or fish leftovers out of the laundry room. Most everyone wore flip-flops or sock-slippers; no shoes.

We had various kinds of group therapy about 6 times a day; got to go outside on the patio for 15 minutes at a time about 6 times a day, and only had significant downtime in the evenings after PM goals group. They tend to discourage isolating (Gameboy) and encourage participation in scheduled activities.

Although the environment is low stress, a stay in a mental hospital is definitely not a vacation. Not that you're looking for one--just saying. The experience is nothing like you see in the movies.

[(JD)]

Did you see Girl Interrupted?

[Cheri]

I saw Girl, Interupted, but that was more like my longterm stay when I was younger. Now they seem to push coping skill groups and organized activities all day long, and stays are more like 3-5 days (I've been told). No way would we have been able to get into locked rooms (too many psych techs!), and the only "Pass" I was able to obtain was one allowing me to walk on the back lawn near the patio. No trips into town for ice cream. lol.

EDIT: They didn't let me shave my legs, either.

Was your experience like Girl, Interrupted?

It depends on what hospital you go to, and whether or not you have insurance. I once went to a nice, coshy private p. hospital when I had insurance. Shoot, I'd go there today if I still had insurance! BTW, if they won't admit you, tell them you're going to kill yourself if you don't get some help. Works like a charm(they have to admit you). And, as long as you sign the papers, you're still admitted voluntarily I say this, only because I doubt you'll be allowed to be admitted for medication monitoring...but, you never know. (I said this once, because I was afraid I'd go to the state hospital rather than the short term one.).

Definately go to a hospital!!! I always found it very easy to take new meds while in a p. hospital. I used to have a huge phobia of taking meds( I still have a smaller phobia of meds), and it feels great to know that doctors and nurses are there to help.

From my experiences, you can't have electronic entertainment items. Maybe because you have to charge them at some point(cords are a no-no!). I'd call up in advance, and see what you can bring. So are belts, and strings in clothing. So if you wear pants that have to be held up by a belt or string, don't wear them there. You'll be holding your pants up all day

Off topic, not letting mental patients smoke is the stupidest change hospitals can make. Here, you have someone in a mental crisis, most likely unstable, and btw, you also have to quit smoking, surprise. Talk about a double whammy! I hope they at least give those poor people some nicotine patches. Heroin addicts get methadone, alcoholics get benzos, so who knows? I know nicotine interferes with some meds, but still, have a heart(who am I writing this to anyways? I'm such a dork! )

Take care, Noncomposmentis8

[asylumgardens]

Yeah, they gave them patches and these things that were sorta like cough drops but with nicotine. It wasn't just the psych hospital, though. I think they want to make the whole college campus (It was a university hospital) smoke free, and even the staff at the hospital couldn't smoke. I agree it's not the best since they only smoke outside anyway, but there's not much that can be done to stop it.

I'm not sure I really agree with lying about being suicidal? I mean, if you are, you should tell them, but if you aren't you'll probably have a more pleasant stay.

I saw Girl, Interrupted, and it was nothing like my stay at all. Maybe that was because it was set in the 70s or maybe it was a private hospital? I don't know. But like one of you said, they don't really do long term stays anymore unless you are unable to take care of yourself, or something.

[Cheri]

Yeah, I'm kinda iffy on the part about telling them you'll kill yourself, if you're not actually suicidal, too. Sure, you'll get help, but you'll have gotten it through manipulation. Then, too, someone who really is suicidal might be turned away later if all the beds are full (thinking about this because it's the case in my area, probably not everywhere).

I do understand it would be more comfortable to do the meds adjustment in-patient, especially if you're really phobic about taking them, and hope it works out for you.

[jbug]

I have been in both the state hospital and numerous private hospitals. The state hospital was like hell on earth I cried the whole time I was there. I only got to see my doc once the whole time I was there and I was there 8 days. I did get to see him one time though cuz I had a migrane and they needed him to give me something for it. He still wouldn't let me back in my room. At the state hospital after 8:00 am you weren't let back into your room until 4:00.

In the private hospitals I've been in it has been much more relaxed. The only time I was locked out of my room was when I had hidden some pills in there and they found them. I was only locked out for a day then back to being able to be in there the whole day if I wanted too. I stayed in there when the ward got to loud. I have a problem with sensory overload and often it got to loud for me so I'd go in there and do my wordfinds. Meds were at an appointed time usually along with meals. At the hospital the clinic I go to used to have I was allowed a walkman but only if I was supervised. At the end of the day I had to hand it back in I wasn't allowed to sleep with it.

I hope you are able to make a good decision as to if you need to go to the hospital.

Jbug

[okiedokie]

Hi Non,
I work in a hospital with a vol/invol psych unit. If you'd like to ask me specific questions please PM me.

Psych units/hospitals all vary. Please know, though, that you can sometimes get a bed by "signing yourself in" but you are signing yourself in to THEIR care and they determine when you are ready to leave. If you want to leave and they don't think you're ready they can call for a CDMHP eval before you are allowed to leave.

Psych beds are tight. Usually a patient must be suicidal, homicidal or "gravely disabled" in order to be admitted. Certainly if you've had medication troubles in the past, it would be a valid reason to start you on meds for a day or two in the hospital. However, if your primary complaint is that you're "afraid" of meds, that won't be enough to warrant an admission.
Take care,
Okie

[Noncomposmentis8]

lol Yes I saw Girl interrupted is it anything like that?

[Cheri]

Not anymore. Sorry.

[Direction]

I wouldn't worry about age...I found that it was amazing that all of us were experiencing on some level very similar things...

[lavendersteph]

u u u ya know i luv ya tons so i will tell you my own experience i was 15 when i was hospitilizied i was there for a week and it was nice so many supporting ppl there i made friends and the best i got some therapy they release you on how well they think u r doing the second place i was at was for 2 weeks my p doc sent me there i had some rage issues and i threw a chair at his wall the police bakerated me this place was for troubled teens with mental disorders and it was nice but very diciplined i learned alot there plus they made u go to school there arg but i got through it it was tough i felt bad i was going through withdrawl from my paxil so i felt like i had the flu the whole time there plus i could not stomach anything downit sucked but as you can see everyplace is diff the good thing is you get some kind of help love
steph

[lavendersteph]

all ages hun i was roomates with a 15 and 16 yr old i was able to shave but only under supervision and we watched tv palyed boardgames and had sessions together it was allright

<font color="#000088">Once your 18 you're put with adults,only under 18 are put on an adolescent ward. I've been in many different hospitals,and they have been different with how they do things. Some were smoking,and some were non-smoking. But none of them allowed MP3's or Electronic devices,because some patients have problems getting into other people's property,and they might have problems harming themselves in certain ways like swallowing batteries,and such.They would let you wear your own clothes after they searched them,like the others said,for anything harmful,even drawstrings they wouldn't allow in the clothing.But I knew that,so I'd take them out first. They can't force your meds. unless you've been court ordered to take them.At least that's how it is in the U.S. But if you sign in voluntarily,then you can leave when you want. But,if the Doctor feels that you are a harm to yourself or others when you want to leave,he can slap a 72 hour hold on you! Against your will. I've had that done to me several times. I was voluntary,and as soon as I said I wanted to leave, they didn't think I was ready,so they called the Doctor and put me on a 72 hour hold so I couldn't leave,until the Doctor had a chance to come in and evaluate me and decide whether to keep me longer,or if he believed that I was okay to be released. So I believe in getting help,but I never trust the title "voluntary". That's because of my experiences though,that doesn't mean it's like that everywhere! </font>