Inpatient in pysch ward - AMA

[JuiceyBetty]

Just that, really. It’s my third time here in the last two years. Having treatment for my OCD after a suicide attempt.

I’m a private patient in a private hospital, although there are some NHS beds.

Ask me anything :)

Thanks @JuiceyBetty.

I suppose by ‘institutional’ I was trying to imagine where it sits on a spectrum between feeling like an incarcerated prisoner, or at the other end, a guest of the hotel-like detox facilities of the super rich.

Sorry, it sounds bloody awful when I put it like that!! I don’t mean to imply any correlation at all between criminals and people accessing mental health facilities, just trying to understand how it feels. A better way to put it might be, do you feel like patient, client or guest?

I feel like I’m just digging myself a deeper hole here, so please feel free to tell me to bugger off!!

@TheSockMonster ah I get you! Well, I’d say it looks like a posh hotel at first glance. The rooms are lovely, double bed, fresh sheets every few days. However when you look deeper you’ll see the double sets of locked doors, patients on 1:1, emergency alarms everywhere etc. There are some really sick patients in these nice surroundings. It’s also a gorgeous old listed building set in a beautiful park.

In contrast I’ve been in an NHS ward that was horrendous. It’s definitely easier to get well in an environment like this. (Although ultimately it is the therapy and treatments on offer which make the difference- in nhs I had therapy once a week)

Thank you, that’s a great description. It must be a horrible bloody shock to find/put yourself in that situation, but I’m glad they do what they can to make it dignified.

Some years back I visited a friend at a small NHS hospital in Norwich during a short alcohol detox and was surprised how relaxed it all was! We had a nice walk on the grounds and, although I couldn’t go past the reception, I was surprised how welcoming it felt. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that!

Yeah I guess it differs from place to place. :)

Have you ever read Marian Keyes book ‘The Mystery of Mercy Close‘ - it’s set in flashbacks in a lovely psychiatric facility. Funny and poignant. It gave me a better insight into living with some psychiatric conditions

Having had depression and dependency issues without access to great care, just wanted to ask if you feel safer there?
In terms of not having to deal with the outside world. Not criticism just something I have always thought would help me.
I wish you all the best.

At what point did you going for your last day? How did you know it was time

@Boscoismyspiritanimal no I haven’t! Will have a look on amazon.

@Aquarius15 yes I definitely feel safer here. It’s also helpful to have time to heal without having to cook for myself etc. Knowing there’s staff available 24/7 if I’m struggling really helps (even though I tend to suffer by myself it does help knowing I could ask for help if I wanted it).

@babasaclover do you mean when did I know it was time to leave? Your consultant, therapist and the ward staff discuss it at ward round every week. So it comes to a natural end.

How has your weekend been OP?

Thanks for asking, @Boscoismyspiritanimal

It’s been a bit challenging. Weekends are so boring, no therapy and lots of endless time to ruminate, so there’s always upset and drama on the ward.. I got out to see the family for a few hours though which was nice.

Thank you for making this post OP! I’m guessing by the tone of your posts that you are an informal patient. Have you ever been detained under the mental health act?
I currently work in the crisis team. Have you ever had support from them? If so, what would you want from services to feel supported?

I imagine weekends must feel long. Like the world’s longest bank holiday weekend. at least you got to see your family. How is your DC doing?

Good I think, thanks @Boscoismyspiritanimal. Has good support from family and school and keeps to his routine as much as possible while I’m gone.

@Mooey89 I came in as informal although it was a case of come in willing or be brought in. And then I was slapped with a 5(2) as soon as I arrived. I can’t discharge myself or they’ll slap a s2 on me. I was on s2 then s3 the first time I was here and I really struggled, I do my best to play by the rules and stay informal so I can have more freedom. It’s still very restricted though.

I’ve not used the services of a crisis team.