I've been an in-patient in a psychiatric hospital for over 2 years - AMA

[UndertheCedartree]

I've been an in-patient in a psychiatric hospital for over 2 years - AMA

Why are you there? Do you have a home too?

Are you allowed to shave? Seems a very odd question I know but I wondered if you would be allowed a razor since there are patients there who would self harm. Not all patients have/would self harm though so seems unreasonable to take it away from them

How are your co patients?
Are you safe in there?

Hi I think I've read your previous posts, you have EUPD? Are you getting DBT therapy?

Are you allowed to leave? Do you have your own room?

We're the staff helpful and nice? What could they have done better if not?

@PrettyyGood - I had a mental breakdown and was then diagnosed with EUPD. I was on an acute ward for 7 months and then moved to an EUPD unit. I have been doing DBT and now doing CBT. I have a house - my DC live there full time looked after by their dad or a family friend. I have home leave Thursday afternoon - Sunday afternoon and stay at my house with my DC. My leave has gradually increased over time.

@Refreshed - shaving can only happen under supervision. Razors would be kept in our toiletry boxes which are locked away. When I was really unwell I didn't bother shaving as I had no motivation anyway. But now I shave on home leave.

Do you have a choice over whether you stay there? Must be difficult.

What is the best way to deal with someone who is mentally unwell. I come a cross lots of people in my line of work who are unwell and I always worry that I will say or do something wrong and I certainly want to make things worse for anyone.

Sorry to sound so intrusive OP, but if its supervised then they watch you shave intimate areas? That must be horrendous

Did you do something violent? It’s seems a long time to be institutionalised

Op I think you've posted about this many times before. Were you not supposed to be discharged last year? What happened?

What is EUPD and DBT?

@TheQueef - it was hard on my acute ward - it was mixed sex and there was a fair bit of sexual assualt and violence. I felt safe most of the time but became quite 'tough' to deal with the environment. Most of the patients were lovely, though.

It is better now as my ward is just women. It is much calmer in general. I feel very safe here. The other women are lovely and I've made some good friends.

@LilyJade - I've done a year of DBT (2 cycles) - it has helped massively!

Sorry to sound so intrusive OP, but if its supervised then they watch you shave intimate areas?
I suspect most people who are unwell enough to be hospitalised with mental health issues are probably too unwell to be prioritising pubic topiary!

Sorry, I don't want to mix you up with someone else, but it's private and voluntary, is that right?

It seems really hard to get sectioned. What did you do?
I've got schizoaffective disorder.
I've been actively suicidal, I've been so depressed I've been unable to even get a glass of water for hours.
Also had a breakdown where I thought mi6 were spying on me in my home & everyone wanted me dead.

But I wasn't sectioned just medicated not very well for months & left to 'recover'.

Currently I'm functioning fairly well managing to work pt but regularly having hallucinations. I can control traffic lights.

I don't want to get sectioned or to be an inpatient but I wonder what the tipping point is.

My late Nan was sectioned as her psychosis caused her to be a danger to herself but then so did mine & I wasn't sectioned.
It's strange how they decide.

@zen1 - we all have our own rooms with en-suite toilet and basin but we share a shower room and bath.

Initially I was sectioned. I had no leave for 7 weeks then my leave gradually increased. I am now off section. In theory I can leave when I want but in practice I have to follow the rules of the ward - leave only between 9am-8pm. If the staff think it is against my best interests to go on leave they will tell me and if I still try to leave they can put me on a short term section. That's not an issue for me now, though as my insight is much better. I go on home leave every Thurs afternoon - Sun afternoon now.

Glad the DBT is working.

UndertheCedartree I love your user name and I remember that TV programme fondly, I didn’t think anyone else remembered it!

Did your breakdown come out of the blue or had you suffered with illness for a long time?

I do wish you well, and hope you have a speedy but permanent recovery x

@hippyfuckinghooray - most staff have been amazing. The ones that weren't were rude and uncaring. For example touching your things without asking, being dismissive when you are struggling.

@zen1 - in theory I have a choice to be here. However my DC are under a Child in need plan with SS and part of my agreement around that is to comply with mental health services. There have been times I have wanted to leave so badly. But now I know how much it is helping I want to finish my treatment.

@Parkermumma07 - I would say compassion and treating them as an individual and with respect goes a long way. It is clear that you really care so I'm sure you do fine.