What is it like to be an inpatient in a Psychiatric hospital?

[memoo]

I ask because at my last Doc appointment he said that when I see the psychiatrist he may feel that a stay in hospital might be a treatment option.

I know that my mental health is deteriating.

Had another confussed episode the other night (some of you will know about the one I had a months or so ago when I posted on here)

I am so terrified of having to go into a psychiatric hospital that it puts me (and DH) off seeking medical attention when I am really bad.

Just thought if I found out what it was really like it my make it a less scary thought.

Soory for rambling post, have periods when I can't slow down my brain enough to fully process what i am trying to say

I was in one about 10 years ago, am bi-polar, aka as manic depression, all brought on by Dad's death and stress, I went AWOL and tried to get a plane from Heathrow, ending up sleeping at the airport for three days until the police took me to a&e, a long story in a nutshell.

It was the best place for me, not scary, kind staff, felt safe, was able to talk, sleep, get meds sorted out, it definately saved me. They treated me properly, not like a nutter or someone with a wanky vacuous problem, they took it all seriously and helped which was the point. I was in there for a week. I felt safe and supported and somewhere at last that I could just collapse and get help.

Please do not be scared, if you need to go, please please go. It will help you I promise.

Not been in personally, but XH was in for 3 weeks last September, (and I visited him there) and my vicar was also an inpatient at the same place for a while 2yrs ago.

Only have positive things to say about it from both of them. They sorted XH out (although ironically that then f*cked out marriage - but that's another thread) and the support he's had since being in has been fantastic as well.

I spent 3 months on one in the late 80's. They were great and not only did I get sorted, I also made some good friends, one of whom I'm very close to.
I definitely would have ended up cutting my wrists without their help, so do take their help memoo, if you and your doctor think you'll benefit from it. It may sort you out far quicker than trying to do it at home and attempting to function in normal life iyswim?

please try not to worry, it is much better to be forewarned and to go in voluntarily in a planned sort of way

have had a few admissions (bipolar), each one coming as a massive shock as in those days was always the last person to know when I was unwell - without painting too rosy a picture there are a lot of plus points to inpatient treatment:

regular meals/bed times
therapeutic groups and activities (though these can vary from one hospital to another)
consultant/nursing staff can monitor your response to meds and get a much fuller picture
other patients can be very supportive and friendly - all in it together
away from stresses and responsibilities, can concentrate on getting better

you can make it work for you, although it will feel v distressing at first - it may only be for a short time

good luck

I've been in 5 times in total, 3 times when my children were babies (they came in with me) and twice on my own.

When I went in with my babies it was to a general psychiatric ward, I had a side room. The staff were really good, they haelped with the babies, watched them while I went to see the dr's and went to group work, if they were up through the night they would come in and give them their feeds if I was strugling.

When I went in on my own they were ok, but I guess I was used to having the children there to hide behind, this time it was just me. I had my own room, did some art therapy, relaxation and the OT even took us out on a trip to the beach.

It was hard work, it was really scary at some points, but if I hadn't gone in my children wouldn't have a mum now.

Hospital is usually the last thing they try but if its offered to you I would try it, they can help you quicker while your in there than while your at home.

xx

also (not sure if you have visited an acute ward before), even 10 years ago, everyone had their own room and mostly their own bathroom (some shared between 2 rooms) so is much more private than say a medical or surgical type ward - am sure provision varies but think is more or less the norm now

you can bring in own duvet/blankets various home comforts to make your room feel more homely, if you are up to concentrating on books take plenty as time can drag in there - even if there is a good programme of activities

You don't HAVE to go in if you don't want to

Are you seeing a proper therapist in the mean time?

Thanks for all the replies, I had these awful ideas about being on a big ward with lots of people who were worse than me, or violent, of there being bars on the window. I don't mean to sound like I'm being judgemental about people who have a mental illness.

MP, I am still waiting to see a psychiatrist but think I am getting worse every day. Have moments were I feel fine but then DH keeps telling me I was saying things that don't make sense.

I also have this awful thought going round in my head today but am scared to get help. scared that they will take me away or take my children away.

Memoo: A psychiatrist is not specialised in getting people better, if I may be blunt, they generally are good at getting people onto "the right drugs" and getting them "the right diagnosis".

I would REALLY recommend finding a therapist. A student therapist will cost around £20 a session. This is much cheaper than the costs of looking after your family if you are incapable of doing so.

I was told I had to go into psychiatric care. My diagnosis was bi-polar with psychotic episodes. I refused and found a psychotherapist and started seeing her twice a week. I saw her for two years and at the end of that, felt like a 'normal person'. I have not been ill since.

I work on a female psychiatric ward and would agree with MorningPaper. A stint in Psychiatric Hospital for treatment may help in the short term- but Psychological Therapy of some kind will reap the most benefits long term.

Psychiatrists are quite quick (unfortunatly) to 'mask' a problem with strong medication- at some point the issue raises itself again and certainly the women on my ward who have had intense psychological therapy are far more advanced in their progress and treatment than those who decline the opportnity to attend sessions.

memoo - have just sent you a message on FB.

I'm also bipolar and was in a psychiatric hospital for about a month when dd3 was 5 weeks old. It was a unit for mums and babies an there were never more than 4 of us at a time.

I think that although the thought is scary, in reality it's actually very helpful. The staff were always very kind to me so there are no confrontations to deal with. In short, you are taken away from all the pressures of the outside world and looked after in a place where bed times and meal times are regular. When you are unwell you need some stability as well as people making sure you take your meds at the right time.

morningpaper - that is an interesting post. Do you think you don't get unwell any more because you are able to deal with your problems better and so they now don't trigger illness? For me, typically an emotional upset will trigger a high, which, if not put under control will go on until I go into a depressive phase. When I was in hospital my doctor was of the opinion that various stresses in my life were what was making me unwell. Can I ask where you found your psychotherapist and how you go about finding one who will help with specific issues?

oh and if you are getting better you are able to go on leave for weekends.

I have been a number of times and my experiences were varied. DP and I realised yesterday that I have managed my longest stretch without a hospital admission.

I truly believe that my stints have saved my life when they have been in a psychiatric hospital. As electra said gradually you are allowed out more and more. Usualy just before I come out I only return to the ward or unti for the evening and bedtime.

My experience was not grim, initially it was a shock but there were no bars on the windows, some events were scary such as watching someone being restarained but generally I felt safe and content.

I have been on psychiatric wards in general hospitals and they did more harm than good tbh which is why we remortaged our house at one point to get private treatment. I felt very guilty about this but in my case I felt like I had little choice if I was going to live to see my dd grow up.

You can CAT me.

Thanks for your replies, i have read each and everyone and am finding them very helpful. I can't add much more at the moment as tbh am struggling to keep my head straight and have had to take some diazepam so everything is a bit blurry. Just didn't want anyone to think I was ignoring your kind replies

if you've ever been sectionable it can be hard to remember the various grey areas of illness/wellness where there are choices

Did it privately, agreeing to go just before my psychiatrist had to consider sectioning me. Was terrifying but an instant relief. I really wished I'd done it sooner.

I had been deteriorating fast, and suddenly I was in a safe place where I could concentrate on trying to get better, rather than using very ounce of strength not to kill myself or run raving down the road.

Just make sure, if you decide to go, that you get help and not just containment. I was frightened of group work but there was a lot of it and it helped me enormously. I kept seeing my therapist and psychiatrist too.

One thought: I couldn't afford to be a in-patient really so ended up going in every day but sleeping at home, with family support. In fact, this was a good treatment model for me. Is that something you could explore?

I think when you are really ill, they do feel like a "last resort" in that you are so desperate and feel you have tried everything else.

However, I do not believe they are the best place for getting better.

I was in for nearly 3 months, and they were some of the worst days I've ever experienced. However, it is difficult to tell whether this was due to the environment, or just my illness warping my perceptions. I felt terribly terribly stressed and bored much of the time. Supposed "activities" never materialised. The food was terrible.

Having said that most of the staff were kind and warm hearted.

I agree with morningpaper - my experience of psychiatrists has been that they throw drugs at the problem and don't seem to get to the heart of the matter.

I really hope you can get better at home, but if you come to the end of the road it may be best to be admitted. It is not a failure.

Oh Memoo - I am sorry to hear you are struggling.

A friend of mine gets admitted twice a year. She has bi-polar. She loves the highs and stops the meds... Then is uncontrollable.

I visit. First time I was scared. But it was fine. She had her own room with bathroom. She could join in activities and they had a gym so she spent alot time there.

The staff were friendly and attentive. They seemed able to second guess antics of a few of the more interesting characters. It was a happy feeling place. Not depressive . And they could go out into the gardens so although not 'free' my friend never felt trapped.

She used to make her room homely with bedding, photos etc..
Food must have been yuck as we had to take her crisps, biscuits, fruit etc...

Wishing you well. Take good care. Don't feel it's the end if you go in - it will help you.

Memoo, I often think back almost with nostalgia to my week in a psychiatric hospital - as another poster said, I felt safe, and cared for. I slept a lot, and remember the food as excellent (it may not have been: the thing was it was regular, it structured the day, I didn't have to prepare it or plan it, and I started eating again and enjoying food - something I'd forgotten how to do.)

I met some lovely people there - from young and middle-aged women to a sweet young man - it felt like a real little community. I missed it so much when I left that I returned as a visitor most weekends for a few months, to sit with my 'mates' again and sew and chat, or watch TV.

I don't regret going one bit; it gave me a much-needed break, a respite, a time to be in a cocoon and be cared for again like a child with no responsibilities until I was well enough to want to leave. I've never been back; it gave me time out of time, to heal.

I really feel for you, bless you, going through this rotten time. I hope things get better for you, very soon. They do get better, for most of us who have a spell in the chilly hell of depression.

depends on circumstance of admission informal or sectioned.whether or not you have leave

most wards now have female only areas,and try to create a safe calm atmosphere.overall usually pretty quiet,occasionally insettled if someone is unwell.overall the aim is to quickly stabilise mental state,sleep,good nutrition,break from whatever the stresssor is,assessment and plan medication

ask if can attend occupational therapy,art therapy,music therapy.would strongly recommend this.diversional and therapeutic

in general most admissions are short and community follow up with be in place via cmht and gp