Inpatient

[Heartlines.]

Simple question- What's it like?

I've never been, and might have to go, so yeah. :]

[*Jen*]

Hey Lynds,

I have been quite a few times. It is what you make of it really because if you are not prepared to talk about how you feel then they won't be able to help you. The environment can be difficult at times because you are around people who are very ill and they may kick off. However, I guess it keeps you safe and there is always someone to talk to when you need to.

If there is anything inparticular you want to know then just ask me! Stay strong.

[Heartlines.]

How long are you there for?

Thanks Jen

[*Jen*]

Depends to be honest. I once spent a few days and other times I have been in for a few months. Are you going in for some particular treatment or not?

[LeapOfFayth]

I've been in a few times and I agree with everything Jen said. Its what you make of it, it can be a great life changing experience if you're willing to do what they ask and open yourself up. If you close yourself up and don't let them in then it can be a pointless waste of time.

If you go in take advantage of the opportunity, not like there's anything else to do lol...

[Heartlines.]

Lol, what's it like on the inside. What kinds of things do you do?
Are you by yourself? And what determines length of time your in there?

Sorry for all my questions

[LeapOfFayth]

Usually you stay until you and your doctor feel you're safe to be outside of the hospital. In the 3 different inpatient units I've been in you share a room (I was once with another bipolar person, once with a person who had ocd, once with a kleptomaniac, once with a drug abuser, etc.) So be prepared to have little to no privacy. Usually there's a main room with a tv (sometimes a nurse makes sure you're watching something suitable so like no CSI or anything like that lol). There's usually a place you can work out if you want to. Then there's your room.

You don't usually get your clothes until you build some trust (although in one unit we did get clothes right away) so you wear hospital gowns. You get priviledges to go outside for 15mins to smoke or get fresh air. Every day you'll talk to a doctor, and there are always nurses around to talk to if you want to.

Bring a book, if you play guitar I know some units let you bring it after a bit of trust building.

Its kind of boring I don't know what else to say.

[Heartlines.]

It sounds really scary actually. I don't know if I could commit to doing something like that.
Especially if I am not being forced.

Thanks for your response<3

[LeapOfFayth]

I wouldn't say its scary, it can just get boring if you don't have a good book.
But it has never really been scary for me and I've been in quite a few times.

[Heartlines.]

Does it even help?

[LeapOfFayth]

Actually yes, it really can. A long as you're willing to go a bit out of your comfort zone, be open, and listen to what people have to say. I would say its helped me, probably even saved my life.

[Heartlines.]

That's good
Thank you so much for your help. Its really appreciated

[*Jen*]

The ones I have been on I had my own room so it really does depend. You get put on different observation levels depending on what level of risk they think you are to yourself. One I went to had lots of different groups during the day like relaxation, art therapy and dealing with emotions. It really does depend though because hospitals are all different.

[Heartlines.]

Ah, so there is no set in stone answer that I can get. Lol
I guess that's fine, I am just trying to get a feel for what potentially could happen.
I'd like to think I wouldn't be there long.. but with the amount of SH and the suicidal thoughts.. I can't be too certain, or even make a guess.

[LeapOfFayth]

I don't really have an answer for length lol, just cause I have bipolar so I'm in for however long my episode lasts and then I leave. So I'm usually in for anywhere for 1 week to a month or two.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

I have only been to them as a visitor but visited quite often for hours on end. If you're suicidal, you may be given extra attention. If you do try to harm yourself, you may be issued a warning or be strapped down to a bed, possibly also given sedation medications. It's done in your best interest even though getting strapped down probably isn't a thrilling experience.

For the ward I visited, there was a general ward and a restricted ward (more violent, psychotic patients, a lot more shouting and threats). In the general ward, there's a whole range of what you may encounter. I've had a lady "bless" me, 1 big man that was a weird fuck, another one I had an eye-staring contest as that's all he ever did, several anorexics, an OCD lady obsessed in cleaning (staff liked her because she cleaned the dining area very well for them LOL), several elderly patients in for a variety of reasons, at least 3 bipolar (one of them may have also had ADHD), 2-3 that were schizophrenic, 1 that may have had borderline personality disorder, etc... .

In the general area, people are usually not harmful to others or themselves. There was 1 lady who was incredibly hostile to everyone for no reason. Another lady kept giving me $20 bills telling me to go get a particular patient some food despite that patient having just eaten. That lady wasn't even hiding the fact she was manipulative. You may meet some that are manipulative or narcissistic.

That same ward also had prisoners always escorted with at least 2 prison guards. I have no idea what they were in for although I suspect some were in for drug addictions. When they were in their room, they were strapped down or hand-cuffed to the bed. They usually weren't allowed in the main social room when it had a lot of people in there, even if escorted by prison guards. You may not see such prisoners, you may not even see any prison guards (distinctive uniforms and they're bloody huge guys). Generally the prison guards don't bother with non-prisoner patients unless they're out of control.

Patients had 2 rooms for psychotherapy and consulting with a psychiatrist, along with a social worker on staff. Meetings were scheduled and family could enter the discussions if the patient wanted them to.

Most rooms had 2 or 4 beds, so there's not a lot of privacy but even on the general ward, there were some 1-bed rooms for isolation if the patients.

From what I saw each time I was there, staff are very nice. They had a whiteboard showing all the patient's first names and which nurse was assigned. Often they tried to keep the same nurse for the patients so you can build up trust with that nurse.

I suspect they had some cameras because a few times I saw the guards and nurses running to a room but there was no noise in that room until they came. Afterward, they brought that lady to the general area and she was sad over something but other patients talked with her.

[LeapOfFayth]

That sounds like a very odd and unusual ward. I've been to several as a patient and none of them were at all like that!

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Originally Posted by James Wilson

That sounds like a very odd and unusual ward. I've been to several as a patient and none of them were at all like that!

It's a psychiatric ward found in an overall hospital, not a hospital for only psychiatric patients, if that makes any difference. What exactly do you find unusual?

[LeapOfFayth]

I've only been to psych wards in general hospitals. I don't know, it just sounds so odd. The ones I've been in sound much more calm and relaxing, which is what I think they should be like. If you're in there you're there for a reason and a calm controled environment is one of the best medicines. The one you described sounds so chaotic, and I hope I never end up in one like that.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Originally Posted by James Wilson

I've only been to psych wards in general hospitals. I don't know, it just sounds so odd. The ones I've been in sound much more calm and relaxing, which is what I think they should be like. If you're in there you're there for a reason and a calm controled environment is one of the best medicines. The one you described sounds so chaotic, and I hope I never end up in one like that.

The psychiatric ward at the particular general hospital is actually fairly calm. I suppose by listing all those things I made it sound like a chaotic zoo, which it's not. There is still a restricted area and I'm not sure how chaotic it is in there, although sometimes it seems to be chaotic, other times it's so quiet you think it's empty. There were many times I thought it was just a janitor's closet. In the general area, sometimes it gets chaotic for a brief moment but only to a particular area, not the entire general area. Haha, looking back at my post, I didn't give a great description of the calmness there, my apologies.

[sassygurlone]

Well I have been in the psychward 11 times. I have been to 5 different hospitals and everyone is different. There is no set length of stay, its however long they feel you need to be there until you aren't a danger to yourself. The shortest I have been in the Psychward is 4 days and the longest is 3 and a half months.

[Palmolive]

I've been in twice. First time was a planned admittance where I was in for ten weeks. It helped a bit but not enough to make me ever think about going back. Every night in the week they did evening activity to encourage everyone to get together. Meal times are at certain times and bed times. Where I have been there was a school where if you're in education you have to go unless you are over sixteen. I went this time. Then I was admitted for four days as an emergency which was forced otherwise I'd be sectioned. That time was quite traumatic. A lot of people kicked of while I was there and it completely triggering my anxiety.

My sister was in for nearly a year with an eating disorder and I think it helped her with that.

I hope you are okay

[Porcelain Child]

I have been in 3 times and 2 different hospitals.. It depends on what you say to your doctor and they decide what your length of time in hospital is.. I was in for 2 weeks before when i was really suicidal and they put you on obsevations and it depends on how you cope as to what observation you are on..