How to survive a psychiatric ward

This is really good advice. I'm glad I took mine before going in. I asked every day to see a psychiatrist when I was admitted and finally on the third day I was able to meet with them.

I would suggest trying to be your own advocate when you need help, or need to ask where to get help. Even upon discharge, be sure the caseworker has a follow-up plan with you.

If you are allowed to have visitors it is better to meet where you are away from other patients. Some don't ever have visitors, and the like. When my partner visited, another resident came over to meet him and was very aggressive in his handshake and demeanor, not like he was at dinner... It made my partner really, really uncomfortable.

yes I have learned the hard way to take my needed meds either right before I go in or right as I am changing in to scrubs (yes I hid them in my pocket) or even take some hidden in my bear because they are so against Ativan that they won't give it to me even tho it is scheduled. -you didn't hear that from me -
I also had a chocolate bar snuck in to me once - and then did the same for someone else once. Right under the tech's nose. Kinda spices up the day. As does sneaking eating it right under the cameras

A healthy dose of harmless mischief! They wouldn't give me my Deplin, which I had brought in the bottle with the prescription. They said they needed to order it from the hospital pharmacy, but you can't get it from anywhere but Alabama where it's distributed, I guess. Eventually they let me have my own pill. I wish they were able to listen to us when we say things about our meds to correct them; but we're there for a reason, so I guess everything we do is going to be scrutinized. When I'm not thinking clearly I do appreciate the outside help, though.

I keep thinking I can hit "LIKE" on posts. I was trying to LIKE this one for 'harmless mischief" (yes!) and for listening to us. Nothing like being in benzo withdrawals for 30 hours as a teacher.