Help Psych ward preparations ?

[Mywill]

My mood has been really down lately, and yet I don't want to ctb for the sakes of my family this hard times.
I'm volunteering to psych ward to calm down and get treatment. Does anybody have been there ? Share your opinions ?
Thanks

 

[kohaku]

It varies with place and country, the general experience is though that it's very VERY boring. Your worst enemy becomes not depression but boredom. So bring stuff for entertainment.
Nurses generally leave you be but confiscate anything long enough to hang yourself or sharp enough to hurt yourself. You can also usually leave valuables with them.
Where I was there were specified times for charging phones because people couldn't own long cables, but in my room we had some short cables so we'd wedge up the outlet covers with a pencil and plug them in and the nurses didn't care.
Research the specific ward you're going to be in. There's some strict ones and some less strict ones, if you're going for just suicidal thoughts and not something severe you're going to want to be put in a less strict one.

 

[Squiddy]

Depending on what country you're in, you may or may not be able to have your phone, so I'd bring books or maybe a crossword puzzle or coloring book.

I'd also bring at least 3 pairs of clothes. Don't bring anything sharp or a belt because they'll confiscate that.

Also if you're on any meds, make sure to write them down so you can tell them.

 

[Mywill]

It varies with place and country, the general experience is though that it's very VERY boring. Your worst enemy becomes not depression but boredom. So bring stuff for entertainment.
Nurses generally leave you be but confiscate anything long enough to hang yourself or sharp enough to hurt yourself. You can also usually leave valuables with them.
Where I was there were specified times for charging phones because people couldn't own long cables, but in my room we had some short cables so we'd wedge up the outlet covers with a pencil and plug them in and the nurses didn't care.
Research the specific ward you're going to be in. There's some strict ones and some less strict ones, if you're going for just suicidal thoughts and not something severe you're going to want to be put in a less strict one.

I might've to rethink after reading that. I guess forcing myself at home might be better than boredom AND suicidal thoughts. Thanks alot.

Depending on what country you're in, you may or may not be able to have your phone, so I'd bring books or maybe a crossword puzzle or coloring book.

I'd also bring at least 3 pairs of clothes. Don't bring anything sharp or a belt because they'll confiscate that.

Also if you're on any meds, make sure to write them down so you can tell them.

That's exactly what I wanted if I considered joining, but glad I asked before throwing myself into. Thank you.

 

[Sherri]

The place I went confiscated my smart phone, had no WiFi for a month. They wake us up at 8 am, you have breaks for everything like smoking and stuff but only at the time they allow. Also the food wasnt good. But I'm talking for my personal experience. I went there with a benzo addiction and they gave me benzos all day but in another form. Hope it works for you. I decided to look for herbal medicine, for my sleep and slowly getting there. Herbal just takes more time.

 

[Mywill]

The place I went confiscated my smart phone, had no WiFi for a month. They wake us up at 8 am, you have breaks for everything like smoking and stuff but only at the time they allow. Also the food wasnt good. But I'm talking for my personal experience. I went there with a benzo addiction and they gave me benzos all day but in another form. Hope it works for you. I decided to look for herbal medicine, for my sleep and slowly getting there. Herbal just takes more time.

That sounds like I was volunteering for prison. Also, may I ask what Herbal you're using ? I assume they're replacing benzos. Thanks.

 

[Sherri]

That sounds like I was volunteering for prison. Also, may I ask what Herbal you're using ? I assume they're replacing benzos. Thanks.

Yes my shrink put me on a locked up facility by mistake. Or so she says afterwards. Make sure yours is an open facility Before you go.

 

[JustLosingMyself]

Depends on the ward/hospital.
Was in a private one once. Therapy and therapeutic activities were available (arts & crafts, supervised gym, PE, woodworking, IT classes...) . The only boring times were WE. Food was excellent. Funny what €4000/ week does for you
Been in public ward/hospital 4 times. Was bored stiff, limited to no activities other than art supplies, hardly any therapy other than group and a couple of talks. Food was... edible.

 

[Sherri]

Depends on the ward/hospital.
Was in a private one once. Therapy and therapeutic activities were available (arts & crafts, supervised gym, PE, woodworking, IT classes...) . The only boring times were WE. Food was excellent. Funny what €4000/ week does for you
Been in public ward/hospital 4 times. Was bored stiff, limited to no activities other than art supplies, hardly any therapy other than group and a couple of talks. Food was... edible.

Yeah I'm the public ward I've been, it was mostly sitting in front of a TV all day and a couple of group therapies, and some colouring books with no one even came close to. And pills lots of pills, morning, mid morning, lunch, before dinner and before bed. Don't ask me what I was taking cause I dunno.

 

[JustLosingMyself]

Yeah I'm the public ward I've been, it was mostly sitting in front of a TV all day and a couple of group therapies, and some colouring books with no one even came close to. And pills lots of pills, morning, mid morning, lunch, before dinner and before bed. Don't ask me what I was taking cause I dunno.

Refused pills... just seeing most of others essentially in a stupor or just sleeping 22h a day because of them was enough.
Told the resident quack (consultant psychiatrist) that weight gain, physical dependency (aka addiction) and cognitive impairment were not acceptable side effects. Problem there is I just wiped all meds of the list.
It's funny though. If I abuse alcohol, drugs, or whatever and rely on it to semi function it's an addiction. If it's because of a medicine it's an acceptable side effect.

 

[Sherri]

Refused pills... just seeing most of others essentially in a stupor or just sleeping 22h a day because of them was enough.
Told the resident quack (consultant psychiatrist) that weight gain, physical dependency (aka addiction) and cognitive impairment were not acceptable side effects. Problem there is I just wiped all meds of the list.
It's funny though. If I abuse alcohol, drugs, or whatever and rely on it to semi function it's an addiction. If it's because of a medicine it's an acceptable side effect.

Yeah I know what you mean, some other patients were drooling themselves, never again. Unless it's a private clinic. Luckily I had my own room. Nurses and staff were very sweet though.

 

[ADruinedmylife]

Do not take any of the psych drugs they offer you!!!!!