What are psychiatric hospitals like?

[ashfall]

I had a talk with my parents recently about my mental health state and I was a little bit too honest. They are now putting a lot of pressure on me to voluntarily check into a psychiatric unit. I plan to ctb when my SN arrives but it won't be here for a month. Part of me wonders if I should check-in and fake a dramatic "recovery" so they back off a bit and won't be monitoring me constantly when it's time for me to ctb. Another part of me can't help but hope that it might really help me though I've pretty much given up on getting better. However, my only knowledge of psych hospitals comes from movies so I have no idea what they're like irl or what to expect. Has anyone here stayed in an "inpatient mental health facility" as my parents put it? What was your experience? Any advice on whether I should try it or not?

 

[Gsvko]

I went in voluntarily only expecting it to be a safe place, and my expectations were met. It was not useful for me in any other way (group therapy, activities). Doctor only spoke one on one when playing with meds. We had sections, more and less restrictive ones. Bring earplugs if you decide to go. (somewhere in Europe)

 

[Musketeer]

From what i have heard pison-like. I had someone in my life kill some of there family members for finding out about their suicide plans before killing themselves. They didn't want to go back so bad.

 

[fight_club]

It depends where you go. I've had awful experiences and fantastic experiences.
My last stay only lasted 5 days and it was absolutely fantastic. Compassionate nurses, decent food, plenty of groups to fill time, access to netflix and computers (no restricted websites, amazingly) and no restriction on the number or length of phone calls you could make. It was a good choice for short term crisis stabilization, but I don't feel like most psych wards are a great place for therapy and growth. It's pretty much just intervention (and if it's a good hospital they will set you up with meds, a therapist, a psychiatrist, and an intensive outpatient program if desired) before you're discharged.

At least where I went, I could refuse to take any medications if I wanted to and I was also able to leave at any time since it was a voluntary admission. Still, shitty psych wards do exist. If you're considering voluntarily admitting yourself, I would ask them the following questions:

What personal/clothing items are allowed/prohibited?
Do I have the right to refuse medications?
What groups do you offer?
What does a standard exit plan look like?
What are the terms of my release? Am I able to leave at any time?
What sort of menus are offered (kosher, vegetarian, etc if you have any restrictions)?
How often will I meet with the doctor/social worker/nurses?

And last but not least, ask for a mattress topper day one! Hospital beds are killer and the mattress toppers are sooooo helpful.

 

[Frog]

I had a talk with my parents recently about my mental health state and I was a little bit too honest. They are now putting a lot of pressure on me to voluntarily check into a psychiatric unit. I plan to ctb when my SN arrives but it won't be here for a month. Part of me wonders if I should check-in and fake a dramatic "recovery" so they back off a bit and won't be monitoring me constantly when it's time for me to ctb. Another part of me can't help but hope that it might really help me though I've pretty much given up on getting better. However, my only knowledge of psych hospitals comes from movies so I have no idea what they're like irl or what to expect. Has anyone here stayed in an "inpatient mental health facility" as my parents put it? What was your experience? Any advice on whether I should try it or not?

If it's a ward at a hospital, you can expect a plastic mattress, a strip search when you're taken in, decent food and a lot of free time. Most of the time you'll either be in the group room coloring, talking, or doing jigsaw puzzles. The doctors won't visit you much except to prescribe a medication and interview you. Group therapy and maybe a group activity once a day. One-on-one therapy maybe once or twice.

If it's a private facility, buckle the fuck up. It could either be a juvenile detention center or a decent retreat. Google the facility. Decide if you can handle a lockdown facility.

 

[hans0solo]

if you have a choice, try outpatient programs. Or support groups. if you have access to quality care, it will be better. private inpatient facilities vs state hospitals. If you don't want ECT make sure to say that. as others have mentioned, you have everything taken away except for clothes, books, some personal items. you can find people who might share things in common. It depends upon what issues you feel need attention. A stay in any of these facilities in the US is about $1,000/day. People in the US can get a bill of about $8,000 if they get taken to a local hospital inpatient facility. they have routine: meds, breakfast, group, psych visit, team meeting (once a month), lunch, group, dinner, meds. You may be locked out of your room during the day. So you sit in a day room. You may not get much or any therapy. So ask if you decide to go. You get hospital food. But most allow family to bring it. During COVID, its very bad, as most of the activities are cut-back or removed. No outdoor time. The focus is on staff wearing masks to protect clients from getting COVID from staff. your treatment team should have social worker, therapist, recreation staff, rehabilitation staff, psychiatrist.

 

[waitingforrest]

Psych wards are honestly the reason why I am so assertive when it comes to everthing. Having my bodily autonomy and freedom taken away from me is still traumatic for me.

I never ever want to be in a situation were I cannot say no so I avoid hospitals like the plague. Wouldn't even go there if I needed surgery because I'm too afraid they might force me to stay.

Let's just say my experiences weren't so positive, but that was when I was a minor. Minors basically have no rights. Adult wards are a bit nicer for me.

I did meet some wonderful patients there, people just like me that understood how it felt to be suicidal. The saddest part for me is when I had to leave them and never see them again.

I still wonder what became of them. If their lives got better or worse, if they ctbed or not. I will never get closure.

I have had not many positive experiences with wards, but the very few ones gave me a bit of hope in humanity for a while at least.

 

[Ada]

Faking a recovery is not a smart idea. Getting hospitalized will just confirm your family's fears. That being said, being hospitalized is not too bad. It really depend for what reason, and what hospital.

If you are just depressed with no serious mental disorder, it is not a problem at all and everyone will be super nice to you.

 

[mandyjohnuk]

When I was sectioned in the 90s it was in a mixed ward in London. You could move freely around. Go to the TV room. Kitchen. Toilet. The hospital I was in even had a smoking room. The whole hospital infarct had smoking rooms in every floor. Strange how things are now. But I wouldn't give a thanks for being in a phyc ward now. Your locked up in your own boiling room with no windows and drugs are not freely given out like they used to be.

 

[Ticket 2 Heaven]

It's a place with no privacy. Nurses check on you every 10 minutes. Make sure you go to one where you get your own room. There's group activities 3 times a day. The more group activities you go to, the quicker you'll be released. They make you take your medications and check your vitals every day. They take your shoe laces. There's meals 3 times a day with snacks in between.

 

[Pain In The Ass]

I had a talk with my parents recently about my mental health state and I was a little bit too honest. They are now putting a lot of pressure on me to voluntarily check into a psychiatric unit. I plan to ctb when my SN arrives but it won't be here for a month. Part of me wonders if I should check-in and fake a dramatic "recovery" so they back off a bit and won't be monitoring me constantly when it's time for me to ctb. Another part of me can't help but hope that it might really help me though I've pretty much given up on getting better. However, my only knowledge of psych hospitals comes from movies so I have no idea what they're like irl or what to expect. Has anyone here stayed in an "inpatient mental health facility" as my parents put it? What was your experience? Any advice on whether I should try it or not?

worked in one in UK - people just sit about watching daytime tv, playing on computer games, lying in bed - it's pretty chilled out, would probably be a nice break from your home situation - as soon as they think you're OK they'll kick you out to free up a bed