Discussion has anyone been admitted to a psych ward in the UK?

[hikikomorei]

if you have any experiences with being hospitalised, admitted to a psych ward, or sectioned - i want to hear them -!!!

i am planning on telling my GP i am suicidal and have a plan, a date set, and all my things in order for my death. simply because i have nothing to lose. if nothing comes from it i will take it as a sign to carry out my plan, telling someone in detail will give me accountability to carry it out.

though i'm nervous this would lead to me being put in a psych ward. but i'm feeling safe in my certainty that this simply won't happen as NHS resources are stretched too thin. i'm even confident that if i failed my attempt i would be left alone to retry with maybe just a crisis number handed to me....is this delusional??

does anyone here in the UK (i'm in south england) have experiences of actually being put in a psych ward? it just doesn't seem real to me...

 

[SVEN]

After a failed attempt some years ago I wasn't sectioned, however I was then "supervised" very closely at home by two Community Psychiatric Nurses, GP & Psychiatrist, always under the threat of being sectioned if they were dissatisfied with my condition.
My treatment consisted of heavy doses of Fluoxetine initially, which then stepped up to Citalopram. This regime continued for some 2-3 years.
Anticipate that if you mention anything of your intentions to your GP you will have set in motion a chain of events which will be entirely out of your control, and which is very likely to severely restrict your ability to make decisions affecting yourself for some years to come.
I am resident in the UK.

 

[hikikomorei]

After a failed attempt some years ago I wasn't sectioned, however I was then "supervised" very closely at home by two Community Psychiatric Nurses, GP & Psychiatrist, always under the threat of being sectioned if they were dissatisfied with my condition.
My treatment consisted of heavy doses of Fluoxetine initially, which then stepped up to Citalopram. This regime continued for some 2-3 years.
Anticipate that if you mention anything of your intentions to your GP you will have set in motion a chain of events which will be entirely out of your control, and which is very likely to severely restrict your ability to make decisions affecting yourself for some years to come.
I am resident in the UK.

i'm sorry your failed attempted resulted in that, it sounds like it was a strain on you..

i'm aware of the home crisis team set ups available in this country but what are they going to do if i refuse medication or carry out my plan when they aren't doing some halfhearted weekly visit. i don't even have signal to receive phone calls. i have refused to continue meds in the past and they don't force me to continue them. the threat of sectioning seems like an empty one to me. unless i let my symptoms spiral into a manic episode in the street i can't imagine actually being sectioned.

 

[leloyon]

I have tried when all hope was lost, but they denied me.

 

[SVEN]

I was getting unscheduled checkups where they would just arrive to verify I was at home, that I attended the compulsory counselling groups etc. As to what they may do, in my case the straighforward threat was sectioning. My family ensured I took my meds, however random urine tests were mentioned. I don't know what action could be taken in your case, however please don't take it for granted that your GP or Psyc Services will just allow you to walk away.
Every good wish whatever action you decide on.

 

[kadjflakflajlk]

is being sectioned that bad? sometimes i think it would be better than trying to function for myself. free accommodation, food etc.

 

[Linda]

I haven't, but my sister, who lives in London, was in one for a while about 30 years ago. So fas as I can tell, she didn't find the experience particularly unpleasant. However it would certainly be inconvenient if you didn't want to be there. If you tell your GP, it's likely that he will arrange for you to be sectioned. (From his point of view it's self-defense. Sectioning you doesn't do him any harm. But if he doesn't, and you then ctb, your relatives might sue him.) My advice would be not to tell him, unless you actually want to get involved with the (probably involuntary) psychiatric services of the NHS.

 

[strawberryjampan]

is being sectioned that bad? sometimes i think it would be better than trying to function for myself. free accommodation, food etc.

It was fine for me, but it really is just dependent on where you live. In the UK it'll generally be fine. You'll be doped up with benzos and made to attend group therapy like 3x a week and have a weekly meeting with a doctor. The rest is just spare time for the most part and nurse check ins. It's really boring if you aren't creative or productive (which is probably true for most people who end up there). I just read books I brought with me.

 

[EmmaD]

I'm in the south of the uk too. I told a Dr on the phone a few weeks ago I was suicidal when I was trying to get a diazepam prescription. They always ask you if you have a plan etc.. like they're hoping you'll say 'no' and it's a box ticked that they can be seen to be following safe guarding procedure. But if you say you do have a plan, like I did, they literally don't do anything except make sure you have the crisis phone number! It's laughable!!!
In reality I truly believe mental health patients ctb-ing saves them a load of time and money. They just aren't bothered.
The most they'll probably do is refer you to your local CMHT and you'll join the queue for appointments then eventually you may get put on 'active review' when some idiot phones you every couple of weeks to see how you are.. IF THEY REMEMBER… (one time the woman who was meant to phone me FORGOT and went home early!!!)
If anyone wants to INCREASE their suicidal feelings and increase feelings of worthlessness then pursue help through the uk mental health services. Works like a charm.

 

[LittleJem]

if you tell them the method they might take it off you. So I don't recommend that. I was indignant about being sectioned but it is okay. It can be very boring depending on if your ward has any activities. They can force medication on you. You will have other people to hang out with and your own room. The food seemed good at first. Over time you will miss real food. Two wards were so boring, being kept alive and hating it. One ward I miss the people and having more structure. Like you say, I don't know if you will be sectioned for this or if you'd need to be manic or psychotic.

If you have treatment resistant depression have you tried seroquel. I've realised after several years of resisting it that it is my next best option. The reviews on drugs.com are good.

 

[bigdog]

I have been sectioned in UK. I have read that it was newly build hospital. The experience was great. Single room. Treated with respect. Normal and interesting people around you. You can order take away or Amazon. Internet connection. Pretty girls arriving sometimes. Two yards one of them pretty big with equipment like table tennis or some gym equipment as I remember. Decent food. But when I recovered it was a bit boring. Basically coffee cigarettes snuff music computer table tennis and some conversations. But overall it was good

 

[deathbydragon]

I have been sectioned in UK. I have read that it was newly build hospital. The experience was great. Single room. Treated with respect. Normal and interesting people around you. You can order take away or Amazon. Internet connection. Pretty girls arriving sometimes. Two yards one of them pretty big with equipment like table tennis or some gym equipment as I remember. Decent food. But when I recovered it was a bit boring. Basically coffee cigarettes snuff music computer table tennis and some conversations. But overall it was good

How long were you there?

 

[bigdog]

How long were you there?

2-3 months

 

[deathbydragon]

2-3 months

Is that a normal length, or was there a reason they kept you that long?

 

[bigdog]

Is that a normal length, or was there a reason they kept you that long?

I've seen people staying for 15 years there but it was because of arson and by court order. There was a guy staying for 1 years as I remember. They evaluate your condition. As I later heard there is a queue to get there so I doubt they would keep you there longer than needed. But the situation with this guy in his 40s was a bit suspicious he was very adequate but still they injected him because sometimes he refused to take medications and I might as well say disliked him but nothing aggressive.

 

[Kattt]

I've spent considerable time as an involuntary and as a voluntary patient on the ward in the UK. As an involuntary patient, my experiences are mostly in secure units, for up to 8 months.
Everyone's experience is very different. But don't imagine for a moment that you will be admitted simply because you admit to having suicidal ideation.
There are so few inpatient places that suicidal patients are turned away all the time. Simply being a danger to yourself is just not enough anymore. That's the reality of psychiatric "care" under a Conservative government.
Most people who are involuntarily committed present a danger to others, whether it's those they live with or other people in the community.
The fact that you are self aware and can convey your thoughts to your psychiatrist, indicates that it's highly likely that you will be able to be safely managed within the community.
We're you experiencing psychotic episodes or similar such lack of awareness concerning your condition and the world around you, the situation might be less ambiguous.
Don't take anything for granted. This is NOT America. In my region of several hundred thousands of people, there are probably about 200 inpatient places.

 

[Kattt]

I've been in numerous psych wards up and down the country. Stays lasted up to 8 months at a stretch.
I didn't find it was really an environment conducive to my healing, but it's the same when you're on a regular hospital stay. Ok if you're really sick but as soon as you start getting better, you desperately want out.
Even announcing your suicidal ideation will not necessarily get you hospitalised. The shortage of inpatient places is so severe that people like yourself are turned away all the time.
However, if you are offered a place, always try to go voluntarily. That way you have a better chance of getting out on your terms. Being sectioned is essentially akin to receiving a custodial prison sentence, except (IMO at least) prison is far easier.