I am waiting for a mental health hospital bed...

[Littleyellowbowl]

to become available.

Im going in on a voluntary basis. Its my first time going in for my mental health and im not really sure what to expect? Or if there's anything I should take with me other than the obvious, clothes and wash stuff. Is there anything I really shouldn't take with me?

Im a bit scared but I know its the right thing to do. Hopefully a bed becomes available tomorrow.

Any hand holds or words of advice would be appreciated.

Thank you

I have a bed, I'm in the hospital now. Its dinner time but I feel quite anxious about going to the dining room.

I hope you make/made it into dinner, it can be stressful, hugs.

Oh I'm so glad. I hope it goes week for you. Yea dinner hall can be anxious first couple times. If you can wait there's usually toast/cereal a bit larger which won't hve as many people. Then going into lunch/dinner tommrow when you've had a walk round and said hello to a couple of patients it will seem a bit easier

I've been for dinner, one of the staff came to get me. Im feel very tired and numb.

Like others have said these often sandwiches etc in the evenings if you don’t feel up to going and eating with others at the moment.

Great news @Littleyellowbowl also brilliant that you’ve had something to eat too.

I really hope the rest and treatment there helps you to get into a better place and find some peace away from the blackness you are currently experiencing.

Sending my love

That’s great news about the bed and well done for getting dinner. I can understand why you’re so tired-I imagine it’s mental exhaustion from trying to keep going these last few days On top of everything else. Hopefully you’ll begin to feel some peace now.
Sending lots of love and best wishes

Glad you got a bed and hope to feel
Better soon c

How are you feeling today?

Hope you're feeing ok enough!

Thinking of you and hope you’re beginning to feel a bit better

I hope you’re eating a bit. The nurses should know not everyone is always comfortable eating in a group.

Hi,

Thanks for the well wishes, im still in hospital and starting to settle a bit. The hope is to have some sessions on managing thoughts and things and hopefully go home. Not really sure how to feel, but being here is helping. Ive started a new antidepressant which is making me feel weird but staff are really lovely and understanding.

I went to ASDA to day which was nice but over did it a bit, so im a bit anxious and tired now. Going to have a lay down before supper at 8.

Thank you for checking in on me, it helps to know people care

I’m so glad to hear that you are beginning to feel a bit better and that you are being supported by lovely people. I hope the new medication helps-I guess it will take some time to settle down and become effective-those first couple of weeks can be awful can’t they?

Keep breathing and putting one foot in front of the other-you are doing brilliantly

I’m so glad it’s helping. I was admitted yesterday, still in isolation

Hey snowymouse wishing you all the best-I hope you start to feel better soon

Thanks

@Littleyellowbowl I’m glad you are feeling like being there is helping.

@SnowyMouse Best wishes to you.

Best of luck to you, and hope you are feeling better soon

I'm holding your hand OP. I was an inpatient at a mother and baby unit for postnatal OCD (incredibly severe). I came home in January this year

Firstly; well done. You have done the right thing in allowing yourself to be treated and this is the beginning of your recovery

My tips would be:

1. Trust the staff. They really do know what they are doing.
2. Take things slowly, do not rush your recovery and take the time you need to get better.
3. Keep a journal if you can. It will show you how far you have come
4. Dont waste any energy worrying about what people in the outside world think, if you choose to tell them. This is about you, anyone that isnt supportive or brings fresh anxiety is not needed here!

Things to take: your own pillow. Hospital pillows are dire!
A dressing gown and lots of loungewear, leggings, pyjamas, socks, slippers
Toiletries (take big bottles not minis)
Lots of happy, feel good chick novels
Adult colouring book & pencils if you have one
Sachets of your favourite hot drink if you have one. They will have tea and coffee etc but it is nice to have your own stash.
Snacks that will keep, like cereal bars, dried fruit etc
Your own sports top water bottle. Hospital cups are tiny!

Depending on what level you are assigned, they may lock away your phone charger, razors, dressing gown cord etc. But they usually let you have supervised access if you need them.

Feel free to PM me if you want to chat

I’ve just moved out of isolation, but going to continue meals and meds in my room as I’m apparentally vulnerable
Hope you’re doing ok op