[Clandestine]

I don't know if I posted on the right board, but maybe those who have experienced being in the four-cornered walls of the white-walled hospital/assylum could gather and just chill, and help each other. ;]

I'm 20 and coping. ^^

I was diagnosed with clinical depression, but more of a Bipolar Disorder (hypomania only), last January 2008. For 20 years, I kept things to myself, like how I cut and hurt myself, my suicidal thoughts, even all my problems I keep to myself only. I didn't dare tell anyone, not even my closest friends because I'm usually regarded as the one who'll be helping them in their problems, not the other way around.

A lot of thing happened to me prior to my being confined in the psychiatric ward but that was truly an unforgettable experience. I still couldn't grasp up to now what the hell to do with my life, to bring back the happy me. I'm an honor student, student leader, and all that, and with everything in my life lately, I've become the complete opposite.

I failed five subjects already in my University. ;[ I've never really spoken about these things in public like on this forum, but since we're kind of anonymous anyway, I thought talking about it will help me. I have to keep my sanity on a good level, y'knowwww.

The reason: Well, I was brought to the hospital immediately after I refused to talk to anyone nor go near anyone, after my father slapped me in the face two times. My family is a mess, my father cheats with my mother and hell she knows it but still stays with our family. My ex-boyfriend abused me sexually for like a year or so. I had financial and academic problems. Insomnia and all. Everything's happening at the same time, and I'm losing myself. Plus, they learned I attempted to kill myself a lot of time. So they put me in the ward.

WOW. Letting those off is such a relief. But sometimes, I don't know how long can I go on like this...you know, just hanging on. Sometimes, I just watch my life pass by in front of me and fall into deep thoughts. *SIGH*

Just felt like sharing.....

So anyway, has anyone of you guys gone to a mental institution/psychiatric ward or something similar?

<font color="purple">Clandestine</font>

[crazybones]

hello my name is scott i have been to paded cell b4 not by choice i was forced they thought i was danger to society so locked me up yeah life has its challenges like evrything else sometimes it seems like the world is moving but ur standing still pysical and emotinal abuse is never good but it happens to the best of us all we can do is move forward in a positive way

[pachyderm]

> has anyone of you guys gone to a mental institution/psychiatric ward or something similar?

I think you will find a number of people here whose answer is "yes." Experiences differ. For me, I found the hospitalizations to be terribly frightening. What was your experience?

I was too and found it a great relief to me, I could relax and let the world and its problems slip by nothing could touch me while I was in there....

[MyBestKids2]

I have been hospitalized (both voluntary and involuntary) about 15 times in the past 4 years. I only went when I was in crisis, and I did find each time the visit stabilized my mental health.

Wishing you luck!

Dee

[Rhapsody]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
mybestkids2 said:
I have been hospitalized (both voluntary and involuntary)

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I too have been hospitalized - once to keep my self from committing suicide and two times after I did try to commit suicide...... least to say that the last two times were not any fun what so ever. I sent an average of two weeks in the hospital each time and did some out patient group therapy after my second stay.

I am better now and refuse to ever go back, therefore, I made sure I got the help I needed and I always take my meds.

Is there some thing I (we) can help you with...... ?

[okiedokie]

Yep, I was hospitalized years ago for a major depressive episode. The doctor I had and the care I received literally saved my life. I am eternally grateful to them.

Since that time I have been in therapy and taking an antidepressant and I've been fine ever since. I work full-time, go to school full-time at night and do well.

I really could relate to what you wrote. Keeping everything inside and being the caretaker for others. I could have written those very words! That's why therapy is so great. I pay someone to listen to me! It's all about me and I don't have to feel guilty about it because I'm paying for this service! I, too, am not one to want to burden friends with my crap.

My family was a mess as well. I take care (but don't live with) my chronic alcoholic father. My sibs moved far enough away that I'm the only one left to do it.

Abuse? Yeah, lots of every type. Sometimes I felt like I had a bulls eye on my back!

One thing for sure is that you CAN TELL YOUR STORY HERE!! And receive lots of support at the same time. I encourage you to do so. I'm glad you dipped your toe in the water already.

Take good care of you. Get the help you deserve and feel better. This life we have is not a dress rehearsal. We only get one time through. If you can get help earlier instead of later in life, please do. Don't waste precious time.
Love,
Okie

[TaintedGoth1]

I've been hospitalized over 10 times, mostly for suicide attempts.

Sometimes the stays were ok and then other times they weren't. I"m not much of a people person so at times it was really hard on me being in there. But I would urge someone to seek this type of treatment if they couldn't promise their safety or someone else's safety. Safety is very important.

<font color="purple"> Nope, but some of my friends have </font>

[splitimage]

I was hospitalized for 7 weeks last summer. The one thing I swore I'd never do was go for psych admittance, since that tends to follow you around for ever. But I was a mess last year, newly sober, worst depression of my life, not eating properly, and seriously suicidal. I went in voluntary. It turned out to be one of the best things I ever did for myself. It helped that my psychiatrist is the clinical director of the ward / program I was on, so I saw her every day. We did meds adjustments and I had group therapy of some sort every day, and it was good to be able to jsut focus on me and getting healthy. Then once I was discharged i was in an 8 week follow up program where I went back for group therapy 3-4 days a week. It literally saved my life, and put my life on a much better track.

--splitimage

[Clandestine]

It was really comforting reading all your stories, guys ;] In a way that you help me keep my hopes up seeing as most of you have managed to go back to a normal lifestyle. THANK YOU!!

I actually have a problem. I stopped medications after 2 weeks, so that's about 3 months ago. My psychiatrist have been telling me not to stop medications because I won't be able to see the effect, but my parents think they're making me addictive. They just put me on sleeping pills which doesn't even make me sleep. I have to lie to my parents now that I'm sleeping well, but in fact, I'm not. And that I'm fine.

I think it's because of money problems. To sustain all my medications is really a pain in their pockets since it has to go on for months, or even years. ;[ I'm willing, but it seems my parents aren't. I hate them with a passion and I just put on a mask everyday, make everyone around think I'm okay. *SIGH* I'm currently saving up for my own medications and psych visits.

Anyway, it has been nice reading your stories, and I could relate to most of you. Hope to read more here!

Have a nice day, everyone. And Happy Mother's Day to your moms and all the moms out there. ;]

<font color="purple">Clandestine</font>

[iamtwilight]

I've been at the loony ward twice.

First time I attempted suicide and woke up at the hospital and having docs say "you might benefit from a stay at the psych ward." and I was still a bit dizzy from the drugs I did and said "yes". It was an okay stay actually. I was bored, but I also got answers to some questions about my mood that had been bothering me. I got diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

The second time was last January, I was very paranoid, delusional, seeing and hearing things and avoiding places, not able to go anywhere, and even when I was a 100 miles away from the person that I thought would hurt me, I was still jumpy and all. Even to this day (I think I'm well on my way to recovery) I think my pdoc "manipulated" me into going to the psych ward voluntarily. It was terrible. They messed up my meds, I didn't get to talk to anybody about my feelings, the only therapy I got was meds. I got a working med, though, and was let out after 7 days. My pdoc said "this might not be your place..." and made sure I will attend therapy sessions and take my meds regularly after I leave.

:S At least I got SOMETHING out of each visit.

[cheetah]

First off, Welcome to PC!

I spent one night in a psych hospital a number of years ago, and it was one of the worst nights of my life. I actually went to the hospital just looking for information on their services. There was never any intention to be come an inpatient! I was not in the best frame of mind though, and I feel the hospital took advantage of that.

I ended up signing forms admitting me without even realizing what I was signing. These days I never sign anything without reading it in its entirety. Medical offices I think get annoyed with me cause I take so long sometimes.

The next thing I know all my belongings were being taken from me and I was being strip searched. A good friend came to rescue me with no success. We met with the higher ups and tried to explain what happened but all they would say was that I signed the admission form so there was nothing that could be done. My friend stayed with me until the middle of the night when they finally kicked him out. I didn't sleep at all.

The next morning I met with a doctor. I assured him I was not a danger to myself or anyone else and he agreed to release me. It was one of the most frightening experiences I have had. I've never been in jail but I bet this was close if not worse.

[Clandestine]

Hey cheetah, it's a good thing you didn't stay for DAYS like most of us went through. It's horrible, no contact to the outside world except watching TV, and yeah all those crap.

But yeah, yours is out of nowhere. And my first night at the hospital was kind of similar to yours!!!

I was told by my mom that I'm gonna spend just one night at the hospital so I agreed to coming. I wasn't in my best mind state as well during that night because my father beat me and I was having a lot of blank stares. I was led into a room, and the next morning, I was shocked to find out that I was in a psych ward! My cellphone was confiscated, I have no clothes with me, I don't know anyone, and I thought I was in a private room lol. It was such a BIG SURPRISE.

<font color="purple">Clandestine</font>