Going into hospital

[Olimar]

I'm being picked up at 8.30 this morning, to be taken to stay in hospital. Not the first time but I've never been to this one, so quite worried about it.
Anyone else doing/done the same? Any advice?

I hope someone with experience comes along soon. Just wanted to say best of luck and I'm sorry you've reached this place and sincerely hope you get the help you need.

I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner. There's usually a washing machine and dryers, so you don't need to take loads of clothes. Do take your mobile phone and charger, they can charge it in the nursing office. Books/puzzle books/music/audiobooks can be helpful. There might be a canteen/shop on site, or there might not, so some cash is good.

You may need to isolate, they should tell you about that.

Been in hospital a fair few times for my mental health. Sometimes through being sectioned, sometimes voluntary. As previous poster said remember your phone and charger, they usually use a hospital charger for safety though. Books, writing pad, puzzles books. Juice and soft drinks were a godsend. Comfy clothing that you can layer, temperatures in hospitals fluctuate so much and medication can sometimes make you colder or warmer. Toiletries, although if it’s not a general ward they will check everything for safety probably. It depends on the reason for stay as to what I take to be honest.

So they checked my stuff, let me keep my charger but took my lighter. Apparently I can have 4 cigarettes a day at the times they choose. Not happening. I'm already out of there having a drink outside McDonald's.

Why have you left, because you can't spend all day smoking?

Because I can't spend all day sitting in a room doing nothing.

That's why you take books, puzzles etc.

Where are your kids now, are you able to look after them? What are you planning to do to get better?

Did you discuss all of your options with them before discharging yourself?

I'm sorry that happened, although my local ward weren't letting people smoke any for the first two weeks of the stay, they had the inhalers instead.

What are your plans now?

First step of the plan is to get my car back. I'm not going to sit doing puzzle books all day when more important things need to be done now.

Are your kids staying with someone else at the moment so that you can focus on yourself for a little while?

are you having support from the CMHT?

What more important things so you need to do today. Would you be better in hospital getting yourself well.

In all fairness, it's not easy to get admitted, they must really feel you need it.

I think it's pretty unfair to say getting mh care in hospital is like gold. Hospital is not therapeutic. It's a holding place to stabilise people. I think there is a misconception that those who end up in hospital are lucky, because they will be cured. That's not true - they will most likely still be unwell when discharged, but more stable.

People end up in hospital at the very lowest points in their life, nobody wants to be there. Saying you have to be 'practically off your head insane' to end up there is rude and offensive. OP is clearly unwell and @Yankee63 your comments are not helpful.

Ok I missed what Yankee63 said anyway, but I dont think I'm off my head insane, I think I'm fine, its just the doctors who dont agree.
Also I am back in the hospital after sorting out what I need to. I've had it agreed I can go out when I need it, to smoke. And they have also made more effort to provide some slightly more stimulating ways to pass the time here.

That's good to hear @Olimar I hope it helps you. Feel free to chat here if it helps.

The smoking agreement didn't last long, during the day they are not to bad about letting me out still, but the night staff are refusing to let me again.
Apart from that nothing else has happened. They say I'm here to get better, but they are not doing anything different here to what I was doing at home, so I can't see how this is helping me get better.

Do you know when your next ward round is? It's a good place to raise that sort of question, and/or you could talk to your named nurse?

Next ward round is tomorrow. I've asked for someone to write down the questions I want to ask before I go, because I get stressed and always forget what to ask.
Today has been not too bad, I have got my laptop back so I have been less bored and I was allowed to go out in the main garden for the first time for an hour. Nights are the worst here. No smoking, hungry, bored and not being able to sleep are a bad mix.

Good luck with your ward round today, I hope it goes well. I agree with you re: nights, do they not do any supper for you?

Have you started a new medication? Do they want to keep you in to monitor your reactions/side effects? Do they believe you are at risk of harming yourself?