I spent 3 years in a psychiatric hospital including low and medium secure

[Alreadytaken23]

I was admitted to a adult ipcu at 17 before being sent to Northampton to a medium secure unit I’m in Scotland

I fully plan to be completely honest about my experience which means some people might struggle to believe this as it’s shocking.

Why were you there?

Is there a lack of places in Scotland itself? Do they try to place people near their homes and families?

Did you have a diagnosis prior to entering the hospital op?

Do you feel that you were treated with respect by the staff?

From the age of 13 I made repeated attempts to kill myself with self harm but I unfortunately didn’t get the help I needed so my mental heath went down hill to the point I started to hear. Voices and was sure my hamster was trying to kill me so I left home and with a bag full of knives and carried one though a city centre where the police was called.

As it stands there is no places for under 18s in Scotland that need secure units so most go into adult wards until one can be found in England but that takes time. I was in a adult ipcu for 6m

No I wasn’t respected by staff they allowed older men to sexually abuse me and one in particular ( a male nurse put his hand on my neck on a few occasions) I was once told I smelled really bad

Thanks upso and already taken. My cousin has recently admitted to a secure unit and that is reassuring to hear. I want to respect her privacy (she doesn't want any communication at the moment) but can't help worrying for her. Also reassuring that it was an overall positive experience for you upso.

Crossed posts, I'm sorry to hear about your experience already taken.

What do you think would have been needed to safely discharge you much sooner?

That’s hard for me to answer. I was such a risk to myself and others that to safety discharge me was a risk. I also thought I was ok so didn’t comply with the treatment apart from when they had to pin me to the bed to inject me.

I'm so sorry about your experiences. How are you doing now?

Were you always in a mixed sex ward? Do you think a single sex ward would make your experience safer?

How did you adjust to likfe outside hospital? Do you have ongoing support?

Do you have family and friends who kept in touch when you were in hospital?

What did a typical day look like?

Are you well now? Do you work/have a family?

Hi OP. I think you're incredibly brave.

I'm currently hearing a voice which is extremely unsettling and upsetting.

Can I ask if you ever found a particular reason that your depression escalated to the point you wanted to die? How come you were suicidal at 13? And how did you get to the point you are at now?

Now I work full time ( currently on mat leave) I’m married with children. My friendships tend to be superficial due to me not wanting to be honest about my past as let’s face it no one wants to be friends with someone with a past like mine. I’m happy with my life and consider myself fully recovered as does my gp.

I was always in a mixed sex ward apart from Northampton. I lost a lot of my friends and family.

Congratulations on your recovery and I hope you're enjoying maternity leave and your baby.

Can I ask how your employer views your history, particularly with you having been in a secure unit?

I don’t know what the cause was but I suffered rejection from my parents and peers at school and was sexually abused as a child

I too was sexually abused. I'm so sorry you went through that.

I'm also extremely glad you are fully recovered and have an amazing family of your own now.

This has given me hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel (although I already have a wonderful family, I just need to get better)

Psychiatric hospital patients now get their own room which only opens from the outside with a key so other patients can’t enter.

🤨 Not anywhere I've been. Lucky if you get a lockable cupboard in your dorm.

OP: Have you been offered therapy by the NHS to deal with the psychological ramifications of your lengthy hospital treatment?