Anyone in hospital right now and wants to start a support thread?

[UndertheCedartree]

Hello - I've currently been on my long-term in-patient placement for a month - looking at being here around 18 months.

Anyone else in hospital whether acute or long term?

I’m in a general ward, going over to an acute psychiatric ward today I assume

FFSOMG - how are you feeling about going to the psych ward? Have you been on a psych ward before?

Don’t really want to go. Yes I was in for 3 months at the start of the year on a S2 then S3. That was ok.

I’m back on the same ward I was on at the start of the year so that’s something at least , I know the staff

Are the staff nice? That makes a big difference. What are you in for? (Obviously only answer if you want to)

The staff are lovely. X

Hey @FFSOMG how you getting on.

Hey @UndertheCedartree how is home leave going? To your question. I have no idea why everything is so difficult, I just know that it is. I think you are brave to try out the football. I like watching live football but I’m not one for playing it.

I hope that the rest of you are hanging on in there. I’ve had a rough weekend to be honest. I did too many things on Saturday, and yesterday my head wouldn’t stop spinning. It seems better this morning, let’s hope it stays that way.

I escaped off the ward, got distracted about half a mile up the road by a really gorgeous cocker spaniel and the police found me and took me back. I’m seeing the consultant at 4, he’s awful and I’m really dreading it. Expecting to go home.

Escaped off the ward again, got dragged back by police. Seeing the doctor at 3, the ward manager was threatening a more secure facility but I sobbed about how much I like the staff on this ward so hoping I can stay here

It’s not really my fault that the doors here are shit.

No, it isn’t your fault RE the doors.

Are you able to chit-chat on here when you next feel like bolting?

Been put on a section 2, and told if I do any more escaping I’ll be sent to a secure unit which sounds scary. I’m on 1:1s now which is when you have to have a staff member with you at all times.

Do you have anything with you to make things more bearable?

I’m going to catch the doctor in the morning about altering my PRN medication. Atm I get 5mg diazepam at 8am and 12pm, and then nothing but 0.5mg lorazepam until 5mg diazepam at 10pm! Obviously days are hardest so I need my 0.5mg PRN dose upping.

I seem to have killed the thread

How is today?

I’m still on 1:1s but they’re going to speak to the doctor to see if I can come off. I’ve had quite a few visits from friends so am well supplied with sweets and chocolates!

How is everyone else?

I’m a bit too far up, supposed to be on a week off work and cannot switch off, struggling to eat and sleep enough.

Just had a heavy therapy session, will probably crash and have a nap this afternoon.

So, yeah, standard really?

Saw the doctor and he refused to take me off 1:1, so I’m not allowed to see my kids :(

That’s just rubbish, can you Skype them? (Also does it follow that 1:1 -> no seeing kids? There might be other reasons, you don’t have to answer.)

Hi FFSOMG - why can't you see your kids? I was still able to see mine on 1:1. I know it's hard but it is best to try and work with the system than against.

Hi erin - sorry to hear the therapy is knocking you out. It does to me too - so exhausting.

I've not written for a while as the ward has been really unsettled and we've all been struggling. One person gets sets off then it triggers someone else and it ricochets around the ward.

One good thing is I've got a ward job! I have to check the fridge temp in the OT kitchen and make sure all food is labelled and get rid of anything that's out of date. I have to make sure it is clean and tidy and stocked up. Starting on Monday. I get £5 a week! Had to do an application form and have an interview!

It's been difficult because I've been trying to stay in my room to avoid being triggered but then I start getting paranoid. I was close to self harm as I just felt like smashing my head against the wall. I did it a couple of times and then pulled myself together. Got an ice pack and some prn.

Hope everyone has a good weekend

That's good UndertheCedartree

That sounds awful for you FFSOMG What a tough time you've been through.

My CBT session went ok, but they're thinking of switching me to DBT (mainly because of my self harm) I have no idea what this is, or what the difference is.

They don't think CBT is really working, and to be honest, I think they're probably right, as I feel fine now. But I can have periods of normal, and think 'oh I was just being silly before, there's nothing wrong with me, I'm fine. It was just a blip etc..' Then the crashing low will come back and the cycle continues.

There's also been a mention of a bipolar diagnoses, but I'm not seeing them for another couple of weeks now. No idea what happens now.

Although when I mentioned to my DP today that I felt fine and coping well, he said well no I don't think you are fine Ok Mr psychologist. I'm sleeping well, I haven't self harmed in a couple of months. My drinking is still bad, ok, I'll admit that, but I don't feel like I want to top myself every time I have a drink now, so I class that as doing pretty good for me!

Also, sorry for the multiple posts! I didn't like how I was asked a reason why I self harm, as if, well there must be a reason. Well actually no, sometimes there isn't. A lot of the time it's an impulse thing and I do immediately regret it the next day. Doesn't stop me from doing it though.

Does sound like you are doing well, Bippity but if the lows are still there makes sense to try and find something to help.

I'm starting DBT in a couple of weeks. From what I understand it is about learning skills. Mindfulness is a big part. It is done in modules. I think the first one I'm doing is emotional tolerance or something like that. I've just ordered a DBT workbook off Amazon which will hopefully help