so. mental hospital.

APieOfButter · 2011-06-18 21:58:41

what do i need to k ow? only going to here for a few days.

FunnysInTheGarden · 18/06/2011 23:02

sorry, don't know, but bump for you. My sister has been in and out of mental health wards, but don't know the specifics.

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Grockle · 18/06/2011 23:04

Um, depends a bit on why you are there, I think. Are you being admitted?

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NanaNina · 18/06/2011 23:08

Apie - we need a bit more info. Are you actually admitted - if so as a voluntary patient or sectioned under the Mental Health Act. I have seen you other posts but just can't recall your particular MH disorder - think it is depression? I have been an inpatient twice, so could probably give you some info but that would only be based on my experience and all hospitals are different.

If you can give some more info, we can help further I'm sure.

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Grockle · 18/06/2011 23:21

You ok, apie?

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iMemoo · 18/06/2011 23:27

They aren't as scary as you imagine. I got my own room with ensuite.

When you first get there they will search your bags to make sure you don't have any items you could use to harm yourself. So no scissors, razors etc.

You will probably find that most of the patients are not at all scary and just like you.

You will be strongly encouraged to participate in group activities.

Your children won't be allowed on the ward.

Sorry this reads just like a list but adding things as I think of them.

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iMemoo · 18/06/2011 23:28

Take some things to make your stay more comfy like your favourite pillow.

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iMemoo · 18/06/2011 23:30

I also think it's highly unlikely that you will only be there for a few days. It usually takes a couple at least a couple of weeks for them to get you stable on your meds.

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APieOfButter · 19/06/2011 00:08

im voluntary i think. i have some form of bipolar i think

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APieOfButter · 19/06/2011 00:12

im there now, had checkups just w auting for some one to go through my bag. full of drugs so sorry for bad spelling.

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nickschick · 19/06/2011 00:19

APieOfButter .....dont know much about this but im sending you lots of positive get well soon thoughts and hope you are soon up to par x

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midnightservant · 19/06/2011 00:27

Hi Butter. been in 3 times over the past 20 years, last time in 2003. It was a good place to not have to think about stuff like what to cook, what to eat etc. and have a bit of respite from the pressures of life. There were a lot of good people in there (staff and patients), I found it a great help talking to other people.

One thing, depending on how poorly you are you may find yourself on 'constants' (constant supervision) to start with - a member of staff is allocated to keep an eye on you. It was a bit disconcerting to start with for me as either I wasn't told or didn't take it in - discovered it when headed for the loo and found I was being followed! What I did the last time I in was chatted to that staff member and agreed she could go where she needed to for the other parts of her job and I would follow her!

All the best.

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NanaNina · 19/06/2011 13:40

Hi Butterpie - can't add much to what others have said - have had 2 inpatient spells (both 3 months) so agree that you will be in for longer then a few days. In fact they will want you to be stabilised on the meds and feeling much better before you go home - this is what you want I think?

Just to say that someone said children aren't allowed on the ward, but the ward I was on, (very modern and just a space really not like a hospital ward at all) children were allowed and there was a big room provided for children to meet with relatives so long as they were accompanied by another adult, so that they could all have some privacy. So I think it must depend on which hospital you are in.

It will take a while to get used to the hospital routines and large number of staff changing shifts, and other patients, but you are in the right place, and hopefully soon you will be able to view this as the first step to getting well again.

Sending warm wishes

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NanaNina · 19/06/2011 13:47

Midnightservant - what a brilliant idea for coping with being on "supervision" as it was called where I was. Just brilliant. Showed you must have had a lot in insight and a bit of humour too.

When I was in last time I had some flowers with those little sachets that prolong the life of the flowers. I tried to rip the top off the sachet but couldn't so went to staff room to ask if they would snip the tops of the sachets (as I knew they wouldn't let me have scissors) and the staff nurse said "what are these sachets" so I told him and he then asked "where are the flowers" - replied "in my room" so we both went to my room. On the way I said "I'm not going to drink them you know" and the nurse who was very nice said "I'm sorry NN it is just about rules and stuff" so he poured the sachets into the vase of flowers already filled with water. I called after him "Ah but how do you know I'm not going to drink the water with the sachets in" and we both had a laugh. That was obviously one of my good days.

I found the OT very helpful and distracting too.

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APieOfButter · 19/06/2011 17:00

im quite cheerful now really. last time i was in hospital, i dont really remember it, but it was less than a week, and there were some times before that were just one day and night. they were all years ago though, and i was drunk.

anyhow, i have my own room, get left to my own devices mostly. ive not really talked to other patients, they all seem a bit...mad. quietly so, but they mostly seem to watch tv. im reading the book by caitln moran in btween mood swings. they are like contractions - come out of nowhere and block out the world. i feel a lit safer in here. less like i have to fight myself.

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GrownUpNow · 19/06/2011 17:04

Glad you are feeling a bit safer. Hopefully it will be brief and they can sort your medication and the likes out quickly. Look after yourself and enjoy your book. x

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dearprudence · 19/06/2011 17:13

My dad has been an inpatient a couple of times, and we took the children to see him. They were allowed on the ward, but mostly we just picked him up from there and went to the cafe, or to sit in the gardens around the hospital.

He has bipolar and was in for at least 8 weeks, I think, but he was able to leave the ward after a few days, as long as he told them where he was. I think a lot of this depends on your own mood and patterns. Your other thread over the past couple of days has shown your mood changing quite suddenly and quickly, so I imagine they'll want to keep a close eye on you until they can help you stablise a bit.

I'm really glad you're getting the help you need now.

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APieOfButter · 20/06/2011 11:20

im quite cheerful now really. last time i was in hospital, i dont really remember it, but it was less than a week, and there were some times before that were just one day and night. they were all years ago though, and i was drunk.

anyhow, i have my own room, get left to my own devices mostly. ive not really talked to other patients, they all seem a bit...mad. quietly so, but they mostly seem to watch tv. im reading the book by caitln moran in btween mood swings. they are like contractions - come out of nowhere and block out the world. i feel a lit safer in here. less like i have to fight myself.

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APieOfButter · 20/06/2011 11:22

what i meant to say was. they just asked me to have a blood test. i refysed. why did they want one anyway?

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madmouse · 20/06/2011 18:36

If they think you are bipolar and are trying you on mood stabilisers they will need to take some bloods to check your body is coping with it ok

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APieOfButter · 20/06/2011 18:46

meh. in for at least a week. bored already. also, staff keep talking to me like im an idiot. two doctors actually talked about whether i was presenting as elated over the top of my head!

pretty sure they dont think i understand long words.

any suggestioms for what to do?

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APieOfButter · 20/06/2011 18:46

meh. in for at least a week. bored already. also, staff keep talking to me like im an idiot. two doctors actually talked about whether i was presenting as elated over the top of my head!

pretty sure they dont think i understand long words.

any suggestioms for what to do?

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APieOfButter · 20/06/2011 18:48

sorry for typos and repeat posts. accessing internet by phone, full of drugs and mental, is not condusive to good nettiqutte :)

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Grockle · 20/06/2011 18:51

How are you feeling? Other than patronised?

I think I'd just request that they either talk TO me or talk about me when I am not present. I was quite blunt with drs and they seemed to find it amusing but respected my wishes.

Is there any OT or things you can do?

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NanaNina · 20/06/2011 19:23

Hello Apie - blood tests are totally routine on pysch wards, and I think it would be better if you had the test - it's only a prick and also as madmouse says, they need to know about the effect of the drugs on you.

How rude and demeaning of the Drs to talk over your head - I think they get so used to not being criticised that they just become insensitive to patient's rights. I think Grockle's idea is a good one. Go for it - they need to pulled up for this.

Y es psych wards are incredibly boring - is there any OT available?

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Putthatbookdown · 20/06/2011 19:26

yes they treat you like an idiot in these places-truth is it is a money making racket in some ways -doping people with medicines etc so they go all drowsy rather than addressing the problems they have However, some people do find the medicines good so if they are helpful try and stick with it.Ask for the results of your blood tests, the possible side effects of the drugs and what your assessment is.You have a right to know. Ask for your issues/problems to be addressed .Keep quiet and calm and polite at all times and show that you arewilling to work with the staff.Cooperation is a must because you are with the authorities-at least if you are on the NHs

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so. mental hospital.