My recent trip to a psych ward was interesting. If it weren't for my solicitors, who phoned to say that I really do have a stalker (not an ex), I really do have an ex who was a cop, and that I really have been speaking with detectives for the past year about a separate matter, I'd have been in there for a lot longer.
There was a woman who was so medicated that she was almost falling asleep into her lunch. They had to wake her up to feed her more medication they had crushed up and put into icecream. Another woman spent the whole day literally just walking the corridors whilst holding a tablet (Android or iPad) playing U2 and ABBA songs, on repeat, non stop. Even whilst medicated, she'd lash out. They had me in the room next to hers and I wasn't allowed to shut my door because staff had to check on me every hour. Meanwhile, they have fook'n keys to open my door.
I was sent there by police. I have an ongoing issue with a stalker (not an ex) and I have an ex who was a cop. Police defend police and police are pricks to the exes of police officers. I have given many statements to police because stalker keeps breaching the court order I have on him. Police just use it as an excuse to come after me.
Police claimed that I'm having an 'episode', that I'm 'delusional' and 'paranoid'. They said I'm very dangerous. Ambulance paramedics had to sit with me for hours until there was a bed free in the emergency department (before psych ward). Paramedics said I'd been friendly and pleasant, telling nurses that I wasn't dangerous at all. I think paramedics would have see their fair share of dangerous people and are qualified to make that assessment. A security guard sat near my bed when I was in the emergency department. I was soon talking and laughing with them as they could see I was not dangerous at all.
When I got to the psych ward at 2am, staff were rude, intially. They'd read the report that claimed I was very dangerous and aggressive. They were acting like they knew all about me and were ready in case I tried anything. I'm actually a member of various disability rights organisations in my state and nationwide. I also wonder if that's why they backed off a bit when I told them who I am in the disability world and that I was going to tell of my experiences.
If my solicitors hadn't helped me by phoning the police and psych ward, I'd say it would have got a lot worse for me. They let me go after seeing that I was settled and not a danger to anyone. Ambulance paramedics soon realised that police had sent me there and heard me speaking with one of my solicitors, as my phone only works on speaker, and we spoke about my ex who was a cop and the stalker (not an ex). Meanwhile, though, police didn't notice my multiple bags of charcoal. I was asked if I had any weapons or anything I could harm myself with. Fools.
I left feeling hugely concerned about how bad the mental health system still is. Staff can be rude, you have no rights or say, and if you express a dislike of the way you're being treated, even mildly, they'll write that you're a difficult patient. The second night, a nurse came into my room to tell me that they were medicating me. Two others stood at my door to make sure I took it. I told them who I am and will be widely reporting my experiences. They agreed to me negotiating down to half a valium. If I wasn't who I am in the disability rights world, I swear they would have treated me far worse and that has me deeply concerned for others.
It's just disgusting, that in 2022, worldwide, mental health patients are still treated like shit.
*healing hugs* I sorry you had such a negative experience.
