Psych Wards

[catharticEscapism]

Does anyone else have experience going inpatient at psych wards? I've been a few times over the years (more recently in the last few months), but it's mainly been one hospital in particular and I was wondering how the experience varied from place to place (as well as country to country).

For context, I'm from the United States. I ended up pink-slipped for a suicide attempt and they kept me for 5 days (though I hear 3 days is more standard?). I've also voluntarily committed myself before and, it's funny, they still don't let you leave. I changed my mind and, I thought, since I voluntarily put myself in there, I could just get back out. It even said in the sheet of rules/faq they gave you that you could (what a laugh! it's like prison!), but ultimately the doctor pink-slipped me for trying.

Are break out attempts common? While I was there, a lady stuck her foot through a glass window and fled in bare feet. They didn't chase after her because she'd already left the property and, when I asked, the nurse said he wasn't paid enough to deal with it, lol.

It was also fairly common for them to frequently change the "rules" where I was staying. They were super chill the first time I was there and let us stay up until midnight before enforcing bedtime, for example, but when I ended up there again bedtime was 8pm.

My biggest problem with psychiatric holds is how boring it is. I've even brought things to do (like reading, coloring, etc.), but depression is a bitch and I just wasn't interested in doing those things -- especially when the other people who were there were so loud. How does one even prepare for something like that?

 

[Aleksandra]

i was in one. nastiest experience of my life, i'm from the uk. some people say it saved their life, some like me, wishes i was dead to not experience it.

 

[catharticEscapism]

I've been in a psych ward about 4 times since the beginning of the year (mostly in a span of about 2-3 months). I usually do end up breaking down and just weeping while in there because it's positively a miserable experience... but getting out again is almost freeing. It makes you glad to just have control over your own life again.

 

[Juicebox]

I've been three times. I'd rather die than go back

It's like kindergarten for adults. If I wanted that I would've been a teacher

 

[catharticEscapism]

Haha, especially with the mandatory group meetings. Some of them are helpful (it's always good to learn about more coping mechanisms), but largely ineffective in the long run. I've gone to crisis counselling at a nearby hospital and that's all it is for 4 hours a day. You learn, but, idk, it just doesn't seem to actually work for me. It was the same way in the psych ward, except they did the bare minimum to help and the meetings were only 30 minutes a day.

 

[Juicebox]

Same here, except the group meetings took up most of the day where I went

The advice they give seems to be good advice, but it just doesn't work for me. And all of my stuff was stolen/trashed out of my room last time I went

 

[catharticEscapism]

Same here, except the group meetings took up most of the day where I went

The advice they give seems to be good advice, but it just doesn't work for me. And all of my stuff was stolen/trashed out of my room last time I went

God, I wish the meetings lasted all day where I went. Then, at least, I'd have something to do other than just sitting there and staring at the wall. Psych Wards are so goddamn boring. I agree though, it's not at all bad advice and they're usually nice enough people, it just doesn't work for me.

Also, wtfffff. That sucks. D8 The worst experience I had at a psych ward was that my roommate wouldn't stop masturbating and she was laying in the bed next to me. Uncomfy. )8

 

[HGL91]

Lol I actually had fun in the psych ward I was at, but it also made me anxious knowing that when I got out, life was gonna be hard again.

I went when I was in my early 20s, and it was at UCLA, so they had a 3 page menu of gourmet food, and as guilty as I feel to admit it, it was pretty entertaining seeing adult children of rich people go crazy, saying that the paparazzi were going to bail them out and that they're super important to the government.

One chick was was like skinny, blonde, tons of plastic surgery, and probably in her mid 30s. She would steal all the pints of vanilla ice cream and then just go back to her room mumbling about the Senator coming to bail her out.

There was a UCLA student there, and he and I had a lot of fun. His friends brought him his guitar and he'd play Beatles songs for me. Then we'd play chess and when we went outside about an hour a day, we did frisbee.

 

[catharticEscapism]

Lol I actually had fun in the psych ward I was at, but it also made me anxious knowing that when I got out, life was gonna be hard again.

I went when I was in my early 20s, and it was at UCLA, so they had a 3 page menu of gourmet food, and as guilty as I feel to admit it, it was pretty entertaining seeing adult children of rich people go crazy, saying that the paparazzi were going to bail them out and that they're super important to the government.

One chick was was like skinny, blonde, tons of plastic surgery, and probably in her mid 30s. She would steal all the pints of vanilla ice cream and then just go back to her room mumbling about the Senator coming to bail her out.

There was a UCLA student there, and he and I had a lot of fun. His friends brought him his guitar and he'd play Beatles songs for me. Then we'd play chess and when we went outside about an hour a day, we did frisbee.

You know, the first time I went into a psych ward, I was bout 18-19 and you know what? I agree. It was like a vacation compared to where I'd been before that (an abusive home life). They had classes all day that kept you occupied and I was fairly agreeable with what was on TV and the people I was talking to (even kept in touch with my roommate when I got out for years after). My next few stays in the psych ward (this year) have been miserable though. I don't know if it's because I'm a different person or...? Drastically different experiences.

Wow, it sounds like you were in a much higher class psych ward than any I've ever stayed in, however. You'd never get a guitar passed security where I was at -- or even a chess set (choking hazard). We also weren't allowed to go outside for any length of time. Sounds like a fairly big difference in quality!

 

[HGL91]

You know, the first time I went into a psych ward, I was bout 18-19 and you know what? I agree. It was like a vacation compared to where I'd been before that (an abusive home life). They had classes all day that kept you occupied and I was fairly agreeable with what was on TV and the people I was talking to (even kept in touch with my roommate when I got out for years after). My next few stays in the psych ward (this year) have been miserable though. I don't know if it's because I'm a different person or...? Drastically different experiences.

Wow, it sounds like you were in a much higher class psych ward than any I've ever stayed in, however. You'd never get a guitar passed security where I was at -- or even a chess set (choking hazard). We also weren't allowed to go outside for any length of time. Sounds like a fairly big difference in quality!

Why do you think it was more miserable this year?

I haven't been in one since my early 20s, but I think if I was to go back now, it would also suck because I'm just kind of bored with life: socializing, watching tv, eating, playing...just doesn't have the same "wow factor" as it did the first 22 years of my life. I'm also not on my mom's health insurance anymore and no longer live in Southern California, so I'd definitely be in a shit hole psych ward.

Hah really? No guitar or chess? Makes sense I guess. We couldn't have phones.

 

[Livinginhell]

I have been sectioned multiple times and the hospital is horrible. I was left all day to rot in my room and the staff were horrible and just didn't care. Obs for some was every 15 minutes but they were too busy chatting in the office to bother and weekends were even worse. The only time the staff bothered was when you wanted to go out for a fag- then they were far too busy to escort you, (so we would sneak in lighters and either smoke in our rooms or outside in the courtyard. Staff were never too busy then, they'd come running to shout at you and 1 even assaulted me trying to get the fag/lighter)
Horrible horrible place. Did me no good.
Im from the UK.

 

[Juicebox]

The food was good at the one I was at, I'll give them that

 

[IsadoraBeauxdraps]

Only one time. I was in crisis, my sister brought me there.
The nurses were really sweet. But they placed me in a room with someone that was snoring really loud. I couldn't sleep, it was horrible.
One night I asked them to place me in the isolation room, and even if it was a little scary, I slept well.
The psychiatrist was an asshole, puts me on 4 meds. He came to see me 2 minutes every 3 days. This is at that time that I developed akathisia. Things got worse and worse, and I asked to leave, saying that I was feeling better.
These guys are incompetent.
I'm from France.

 

[Amz_Falls]

I'm from UK and have been in twice about 5 weeks each time. I've had really positive experiences. The staff became friends not unprofessionally though. There were frustrating times as how understaffed they were but I understood they were doing they're best. I did manage to escape by booting the door through but the police brought me back. They'd give me a hug if I needed it or stop in the street when I was released to say hello etc. For a psych ward I couldn't have been better looked after really despite its faults. Never want to go back but wouldn't be afraid if I was made too. I had my times of being restrained but they were deserved. I even got held down and IM'd although as a voluntary patient that's not legal but the did it under the capacity act instead, looking back it was the right thing they did to protect me.

 

[catharticEscapism]

Why do you think it was more miserable this year?

I haven't been in one since my early 20s, but I think if I was to go back now, it would also suck because I'm just kind of bored with life: socializing, watching tv, eating, playing...just doesn't have the same "wow factor" as it did the first 22 years of my life. I'm also not on my mom's health insurance anymore and no longer live in Southern California, so I'd definitely be in a shit hole psych ward.

Hah really? No guitar or chess? Makes sense I guess. We couldn't have phones.

It was more miserable because of how much more boring it was. The first place I went to, a long time ago, had activities for you to follow all day. Mind, they were bullshit activities, but it was still something to do and keep you preoccupied and out of your own head. I also live on my own now, so losing my freedom isn't worth the break from reality (the abusive household I'd been in when I was younger).

That's absolutely fair. I feel similar, to be honest. My depression was a lot more mild by comparison back then (although it still felt overwhelming to me at the time, hence the suicide attempt, lol), but I guess it's all foresight. I struggle with occupying my day anymore. Even my favorite activities (like gaming or reading) don't hold a candle of interest for me anymore. It's the anhedonia. )8

Haha, definitely no guitar or chess. They barely trusted us with books. There was a wii there, but you were only allowed to play it under supervision and it was just dumb games like wii bowling or golfing. Nothing that held my interest, at any rate.

I have been sectioned multiple times and the hospital is horrible. I was left all day to rot in my room and the staff were horrible and just didn't care. Obs for some was every 15 minutes but they were too busy chatting in the office to bother and weekends were even worse. The only time the staff bothered was when you wanted to go out for a fag- then they were far too busy to escort you, (so we would sneak in lighters and either smoke in our rooms or outside in the courtyard. Staff were never too busy then, they'd come running to shout at you and 1 even assaulted me trying to get the fag/lighter)
Horrible horrible place. Did me no good.
Im from the UK.

That sounds miserable! I'm sorry you have such a terrible experience. D8 I like to think that psych wards mean well, they just can't get their shit together enough to actually do well.

The food was good at the one I was at, I'll give them that

The place I went to this year had good food the first time I went there! It was like living somewhere where you got gourmet meals, but also I'm too depressed to cook so I'm probably biased about hot food. lol

Only one time. I was in crisis, my sister brought me there.
The nurses were really sweet. But they placed me in a room with someone that was snoring really loud. I couldn't sleep, it was horrible.
One night I asked them to place me in the isolation room, and even if it was a little scary, I slept well.
The psychiatrist was an asshole, puts me on 4 meds. He came to see me 2 minutes every 3 days. This is at that time that I developed akathisia. Things got worse and worse, and I asked to leave, saying that I was feeling better.
These guys are incompetent.
I'm from France.

I'm glad all of it wasn't an absolute nightmare. I can relate, though. One of my visits at the hospital, I had a roommate who wouldn't stop masturbating in her bed a few feet away from me. That made me extremely uncomfortable and no one seemed to care when I reported it to the nurses, they just gave me a look like I was making it up. I had a similar experience with my doctor, too. He rarely came around and I usually got his nurse practitioner instead. One of the times I was there, I never even met my assigned doctor!

I'm sorry to hear that you developed akathisia. It sounds unbearably frustrating. )8 I agree though, incompetence really stands out in psych wards.

I'm from UK and have been in twice about 5 weeks each time. I've had really positive experiences. The staff became friends not unprofessionally though. There were frustrating times as how understaffed they were but I understood they were doing they're best. I did manage to escape by booting the door through but the police brought me back. They'd give me a hug if I needed it or stop in the street when I was released to say hello etc. For a psych ward I couldn't have been better looked after really despite its faults. Never want to go back but wouldn't be afraid if I was made too. I had my times of being restrained but they were deserved. I even got held down and IM'd although as a voluntary patient that's not legal but the did it under the capacity act instead, looking back it was the right thing they did to protect me.

Wow! It's pretty rare to hear of positive experienced in a psych ward. I'm really glad to hear it. My first time in a psych ward (when I was a teenager) was pretty good too. I felt like I was on vacation in comparison to where I'd come from. The staff was real nice, the facility was up to date, and even my roommate was pretty awesome. For as much as I enjoyed that first experience, I have to say it doesn't sound as good of one as yours! Your people really went above and beyond -- especially taking the time out to talk with you or hug you when you needed it -- or even stopping you in the streets to say hello.

 

[IsadoraBeauxdraps]

I'm glad all of it wasn't an absolute nightmare. I can relate, though. One of my visits at the hospital, I had a roommate who wouldn't stop masturbating in her bed a few feet away from me. That made me extremely uncomfortable and no one seemed to care when I reported it to the nurses, they just gave me a look like I was making it up.

 

[SelfHatingAspie]

The trouble with psych wards is that they vary so wildly in how they operate; whether or not it was a voluntary or involuntary admission, and it may depend on which country you're in and how your country's health system works (and even how mental illness is viewed in your country's culture).

For what it's worth, I've been in a psych ward once. A voluntary admission into a private psych ward in Australia. It was much better than I expected. As I was considered a low-risk patient, I was able to sign myself out for up to several hours at a time to visit the outside world. TBH I used this opportunity to go to the local pub a few times for lunch and a few beers. Drinking in the psych ward is strictly prohibited, but it doesn't say anything about drinking whilst on short-term leave ...

 

[BridgeJumper]

I was sectioned in both Poland (country where I live) and Germany. 27 or 28 times since 2010 (thats quite extreme right?)
I didnt find it too bad. Yes, it was very boring. Sometimes they injected me with powerful drugs that made me writhe on my bed with involuntaty muscle contractions. But there were also times they gave me mild drugs and I was able to draw and make friends in the ward. So overall 5/10