Voluntary admit psych wards tomorrow morning...

[Appleandmangojuice]

I'm scared...

Nervous...

I'm not well....

What should I expect...?

Sorry to see this OP. Your team must think you need hospital right now

Take some things to do... puzzle books, colouring books. I took up drawing during my last stay. Also take your comfiest PJs and slippers.
Keep in touch with your friends/family, and make use of any friendly staff. If you are struggling, talk to them. Don't hide away in your room.

Hospital is mainly used to try out new medications and get you stable on them (or to diagnose you with something if you have not already). You can ask about the meds they want to try if you have concerns about side effects etc.

The ward can be chaotic at times, but most of the time it is really dull. They are not scary places... I hope your time there helps you.

It's a few years since I worked in a psych ward but I didn't want to leave you unanswered until someone more knowledgeable comes along.

The staff will show you round and then do their admission paperwork with you. They should try to make you feel safe and you should have a key worker you can speak to.

Is this your first admission? Do you have family you can talk to? If not we will be here

Dear Apple, I don't know enough to offer you advice about tomorrow but I think you are brave and I am sure you are strong. Please take this time to pause in life and get the help you need. Be gentle and allow your mind and body recover.

Hope all goes well OP

Just to add, like another poster said... when you get there you will be shown around and go through paperwork. During the first few days you will have a physical check up too... like an MOT, including a blood test and ECG. Some meds can affect your heart rhythm so they want to make sure yours is ok first. Blood test is because some physical things (such as thyroid issues) can cause mental health symptoms.
They will probably introduce you to any particular friendly patients too that would be happy to take you under their wing. Most people make friends during their time in hospital.

Just wanted to wish you all the best and that you benefit from your stay. It is good that you recognize that you need help and that you are getting it soon. I hope you manage to rest tonight.

It’s a hard step but the first step to feeling well again. 🌸🌸

Hope it goes well.

Take plenty of comfortable day clothes as well as PJs (they don’t like you wearing nightwear in daytime), slippers and comfortable shoes. Hospital laundry facilities aren’t great, stuff goes missing from the tumble driers etc.
You’ll probably have a 20 minute consultation with the psychiatrist and nurses then a quick visit from an OT to give you an activity timetable.
Take a blanket, good books, wireless headphones if you have them and plenty of toiletries, healthy snacks etc, your own pillowcase, artwork to entertain yourself with.

@XenoBitch Thank you. I didn't no they did a mini MOT that's good to no.

@Mucklemore Yes this is my first admission, my mother and partner are fully aware of everything. Thanks for the reinsurance I defiantly need it.

@BasicMadeira Thank you, thats exactly what the crisis team have been saying... I cannot help but feel like a failure though to my partner and kids.. I just keep apologising.

@dillydallydollydaydream7 thank you.

@Roystonv Thank you.. I just wish I got help sooner before it become too much to cope now.

@whendoesitrain Thank you.

@Iusedtoliveinsanfrancisco Thank you.

@HikeForward should I pack a little bag? I really didn't think of this... I don't no what I was thinking really... head all over the Place.

I hope everything goes well for you OP. My niece got sectioned yesterday and we feel glad she will get help and will be safe. Good luck x

Oh OP, please be kind to yourself. Please stop apologising to others. Take comforting things with you - clothes and items. Don't forget chargers! But embrace this as a chance to heal in a safe place at your speed. Sending you much love and positivity.

As posters have said, take things to do. I had my mobile phone with me so I could ring my husband at night before I went to sleep. I also used it to listen to the radio when I couldn't sleep. I wasn't allowed to keep my charger with me, I had to hand it in, it was kept in a locked cupboard and I could just ask a member of staff to charge the phone whenever I needed it. Take some outside clothes too - sometimes one of the activities on offer was walking. My husband used to bring me extra soft drinks and nice fruit to keep in my room.

To be honest I can't remember much about it but the staff were very kind and it did enable me to get well in a safe place. You will too.

I hope everything goes well for you. 💐

Flippin heck OP you are doing something amazing first step to better health. Lots of love to you. 💪

Nothing constructive to add but just want to wish you all the best OP.

I just keep apologising.

You have nothing to apologise for. You are taking active steps to get the help you need. You are to be applauded.

Sending virtual hugs 🌸

When my friend went, she said ear plugs were the best thing as it can get very noisy in the night. Your own soap/ shampoo to keep with you ( went missing if left in bathroom).
Also, kindle,phone,charger( staff will keep it for you) warm clothes as it was cold, dilute drinks as there was only water if you wanted a cold drink and snacks as the meals were small portions. Hope it goes okay OP.

I was voluntarily admitted to a Neuro-psych ward, when I was really poorly. I didn’t leave my flat without a chaperone for 18 months and still in my head didn’t want to go to hospital. I made friends but it was tough and I discharged myself after 6 weeks, luckily I lived within a 40 minute walk so went back as a day patient for 3 days a week. In under a month post discharge I felt well enough to go volunteer in a charity as an office worker for a couple of hour a week taking the bus into the city. 6 months later they hired me part time, despite not been fully recovered.

Going In patient had a huge effect on me, even though at the time I definitely did not want to go and had to coerced by family and now husband to do it.

It could for you like me be the start of something really positive!

Good luck

HikeForward should I pack a little bag? I really didn't think of this... I don't no what I was thinking really... head all over the Place

Yes I’d pack a bag if I were you. Wards do have things like basic toiletries, sanitary pads, laundry facilities but they’re limited (though of course relatives can drop stuff off for you).
Be aware some wards have a list of contraband: no razors, no plastic bags, belts, no glass (eg mirrors in make up compacts), nothing that anyone could use to harm themselves or as a weapon (even if you have no history of this others may).

Try to get a keycard for your room or a lock for your cabinet if in a dorm, as other patients may be confused and wander off with things.

Anything with a cord (eg phone charger, hairdryer is normally kept in the office and you hand your phone in for charging, use hairdryer with supervision etc. It’s worth labelling all your stuff so staff don’t mix it up and ensure they do a full inventory of all your stuff so nothing gets mixed up! It’s astonishing how many pairs of black leggings go missing.

Staff will prob be in scrubs and masks and maybe visors. You might see them in full gowns, gloves and goggles if they have to restrain someone eg to give an injection.

Don’t refuse essential medication or they’ll give it to you as an injection instead (informal status can easily be changed to a section 2 if you refuse treatment).

On admission you should have bloods done, an ECG (the new ones are good as you just place your hands on it) and a covid test. Plus the standard medical checks like blood tests.

Remember nearly all staff are kind, caring, well meaning people who want to help. They are busy and understaffed thanks to covid, so might seem in a hurry or abrupt. Try to see things from their perspective too eg if they sigh when you ask for your hairdryer you may be the 12th patient to request an item needing supervision in the space of 10 minutes.

Try to go to OT groups. OTs and activity workers are less busy, have more time to chat and are a step away from the ward staff so can help you out when ward staff can’t.

You are in the best place @Appleandmangojuice You & your kids are safe.❤

Hi OP.

I know a friend of mine who went in for very similar reasons. She wasn't there for a long time before she started feeling much better. Much, much better. I'm sure it will be the same for you.

Do you have a favourite book you could get on audiobook and listen to? That really helps me when I have thoughts that are upsetting me.