I’m in a psychiatric hospital and it’s shit

[FFSOMG]

I’ve been here nearly five months and seen so many people come and go. But I’m still here, because I still feel shit and acting on it. I really want to go home, so I need to stop acting on my thoughts.
There’s a woman who sings at the top of her voice up and down the corridors which I absolutely can’t stand, there’s another who has been transferred from a care home with what sounds like an awful chest infection and I can’t be in the same room as her, so when she comes in the lounge I have to leave, even when I’ve managed to find something on tv to watch.
The PRN medication does nothing. But the nurses are nice, after I put a complaint in about two horrible ones around Christmas time and they disappeared.
I really really really want to go home.

Just having a moan to pass the time and make myself feel better, please be kind.

I sympathise with you totally, it's so awful when you want to go home but you aren't well enough to. Is there anything happening during the day? Can you concentrate enough to read to pass the time ?

Ah bless you.

Thi g is though,if you hide your thoughts to get out, you're not well enough to be out are you?

Sorry if that's obvious, and sounds crap, but I'm just trying to kindly say, get properly well, then you may never have to go back.

So sorry. That's a long time. Do you have things you are interested in, or hobbies you can do to while the time away?

Are you allowed visitors op? I remember finding out that my aunt had schizophrenia and had spells in a mh wing. When I visited she would walk us down to the hospital shop and buy a nail varnish and we would paint each others nails. We shared some nice times together. Over 30 years ago now. I hope there are some nice times ahead for you too op.

That’s awful. I hope something changes for you soon so you get to go home.

I had two months as an inpatient end of last year and I want to go back. I felt safe

sorry to hear that FFSOMG - do you like to draw or maybe you could try writing ?

Any idea how long you are likely to have to stay for?

I can’t read, I’ve tried but my thoughts just amble off somewhere else. I have a couple bits I can do, but most of my day is spent laid on my bed waiting for a meal time.

I’ve got a care plan written up that has discharge in 3-4 weeks, depending on my mood/behaviour/presentation.

How about colouring? Or Pinterest?

It sounds daft but if you can't read longer things have you tried magazines or kids books? I often read kids books when work is stressful and I can't concentrate on my usual reads.

Jigsaws or colouring maybe? I hope things improve soon.

Sorry, just seen colouring already mentioned.

This is going to sound awful but I hate the other patients. Well, some of them. I’m not used to living with (loud, abrasive) people, it’s always just been me and DH. There’s one lady who walks up and down outside my room chanting (she’s Asian), and she makes the bathroom absolutely STINK . Then there’s the one who lies about a symptom she supposedly has, but it’s obvious she doesn’t, the woman who sings at the top of her voice... aaaarghh I know they’re all ill but it’s hard living with them 24/7 and never getting a break.

Also I did something yesterday, and in a type of Chinese whispers scenario today’s staff had the wrong idea of what happened, which was a really big deal, so I’ve put them straight, but the staff earlier would’ve had the wrong idea too. Luckily tonight it’s the same nurse as the night before so I can speak to her as she could’ve gotten it wrong. Basically I was found in a position having done something, and the nurse this afternoon thought I had done something different.

Big sigh.

Can you try colouring? There are some great adult colouring books and it doesn't matter if your thoughts are all over the place whilst you are doing it.

I'm sorry, that sounds rough. I've only ever been for a very short period, and not in a hurry to go back, so you have my sympathies, and I hope things improve for you soon.

Can you concentrate on audio books? I find those work for me when I can't concentrate on reading. I went through loads of magazines, as the snippets in them were easier to deal with than a book, for example. Do you get any breaks or chances to go outside, accompanied by anyone?

Can you request leave? Just for some time to off the ward or to go home for a bit.

Also it might be worth speaking to the staff about how you feel- they may be able to help minimise some of the disruption from other patients

I’d love to have leave but I’m not allowed yet. My care plan has me down for being ready for leave in about 3 weeks, but I’m going to ask if I can have home leave earlier, ASAP!

Wonder if pen pals still exist op?
My aunt used to go away on respite to a Quakers retreat and we used to write to each other. In that amazing spidery writing people used to have!
I haven't thought about her for a good while op, so thanks for stirring up some nice memories!

Was in for three months once seventeen years ago - I see nothing has changed in the merry world of NHS Psychiatric care.

Are the psychiatrists still as entirely and utterly useless as they were back then? I only ask because it took me another thirteen years (of total near-suicidal misery) before I worked out all by my own sweet self that it was my hitherto undiagnosed autism that was causing all the trouble.

I feel you. It's shit.

And get well soon.

This thread really helped me tonight, possibly saving my life, so thanks!

OP, I've only been in mh units as a visitor to see my (now late) mum, but I was there often. I feel for you!

Everything you mention would annoy me, too. Drive me up the wall. I'm autistic. Are you?

I’m not autistic, no.

Oh no, we’ve had a new female admission. I dread new admissions because you don’t know what they’re going to be like...

I hope you manage to get some sleep tonight.

Did you have an OK night op?

How are you doing today?