[JoeS21]

I have never been hospitalized before but given current events might have to be soon. I am afraid of ending up in a terrible hospital and would like to end up in an excellent one if there is such thing. Which inpatient units do you recommend and at which hospitals and why? Have you had a good experience at any? Do they all require patients to take medications or undergo major treatments like ECT?

As an additional comment, I read the terms and conditions and do not believe that this question is against the rules. If it is, it is okay if it is edited or deleted.

[Nammu]

Just bumping yer question so somebody from that area might see it

[Calla lily12]

I private messaged you ,Joe.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by JoeS21

I have never been hospitalized before but given current events might have to be soon. I am afraid of ending up in a terrible hospital and would like to end up in an excellent one if there is such thing. Which inpatient units do you recommend and at which hospitals and why? Have you had a good experience at any? Do they all require patients to take medications or undergo major treatments like ECT?

As an additional comment, I read the terms and conditions and do not believe that this question is against the rules. If it is, it is okay if it is edited or deleted.

I have no recommendations. heres why... whether a mental hospital is good or not depends on each persons own experiences... I went into one hospital and hated it. why because I was not ready to talk with the doctors, psychiatrists, therapists and make changes in my life. I was suicidal and they were following their rules for making sure a person was suicidal was safe in their care. i thought that this hospital was the worst place possible. A few years later I was back at this horrid hospital and wow what a change. I was liking this hospital this time. I kept asking everyone when did they make this change when did that change. the answer wasnt that the hospital changed. it was me that changed. I was now ready to talk with everyone, I was ready to work on my problems. I was ready to follow their rules and do what was needed to help myself to be safe and healthy.

my point there is no really good or bad hospital. its what you put into it. they are not miracle workers and cant read your mind. they are just the facility so that you have a safe place to do whats needed for you.

does everyone get med... no. if you are on meds you will get your meds, if you need meds they will help you get on the right meds for you. if you dont need meds then you wont be given meds. mind you sometimes we may need meds and part of the mental disorder is feeling just fine. if you feel you dont need meds and they do feel you need meds its ok to ask questions and find out why they think you need meds, what the meds are, what they are for...

does everyone get ECT.... no, in fact ECT is rarely used in hospital mental units. usually its an out patient thing where a person who needs it goes to their own psychiatrist, the psychiatrist explains it and how many sessions will be needed, then its done at an out patient place where it only takes a very short time then the person goes back home again after it. kind of like going to a medical doctor and the doctor sends you to the lab for x rays and then you go home again. ECT has come a long way from the days of zapping mental patients in state hospitals. its now something where people do not have to be in mental wards to get it if they need it.

what happens in mental health units now is you will go through the intake process, then you will be given a room number and then for 2 weeks you get to take part in therapy sessions and groups and meet with a psychiatrist. you will even be able to have your regular clothes with you, unless you try and run away. then they take your clothes as a way to prevent you from leaving with out permission.

[Patsfan]

Check McLean Hospital in Belmont. I don't have any personal experience with them, but they are a teaching hospital for Harvard

[Calla lily12]

Originally Posted by Patsfan

Check McLean Hospital in Belmont. I don't have any personal experience with them, but they are a teaching hospital for Harvard

Awesome choice!

[kecanoe]

I have also heard good things about McLean. They don't insist on ECT for everyone. I assume they would want to put you on meds: that's one of the things that seems to happen with any IP.


You can always just discontinue the meds when you get discharged.


In my experience, going IP meant a safe place (needed at the time) but didn't do much to address my underlying issue. They added new meds most days. After discharge I worked with my pdoc to adjust meds.