Discussion Positive psych ward experience

[Lextyle]

Are there people here that actually kinda liked psych ward experience and would want to go back? First time for me it was against my will but second time I said to the police "please, I want to kill myself, I want to go to psych ward, that's better than being in this house".

 

[glowing.purple.aura]

While I'd like to remain out of the psych ward for the rest of my life, I just don't think that's possible. It's an idea I'm warming up to though, because my experience there last time wasn't too bad and my life just continues to get worse and worse.

Actually, now that I think about it... I need to be free. I had genuine friends for a week and I got to have a break from my responsibilities, but the whole time I was still extremely worried and suicidal. I need to be out and under minimal watch so I can just plan my death in peace and head out at any moment.

 

[Lextyle]

While I'd like to remain out of the psych ward for the rest of my life, I just don't think that's possible. It's an idea I'm warming up to though, because my experience there last time wasn't too bad and my life just continues to get worse and worse.

Actually, now that I think about it... I need to be free. I had genuine friends for a week and I got to have a break from my responsibilities, but the whole time I was still extremely worried and suicidal. I need to be out and under minimal watch so I can just plan my death in peace and head out at any moment.

I have gone to psych ward on Feb 27 for exactly 1 month, that was my third time. I thought that will be my last chance and if that doesn't work I will start planning suicide after that. And honestly, it didn't change anything, my thoughts are the same, my feelings are the same and medication doesn't make any difference. So yeah I need to be free now too and I planned what I will do even when I was still in psych ward, I bought pull-up bar and sandbags to put on it's feet by the help of my dad who doesn't know what I'm planning to do he thinks I will just do sports and then I bought rope on April 3 and probably will hang myself soon

 

[glowing.purple.aura]

I'm so sorry to hear it's reached this point for you. I really hope things get better and that you're able to find peace soon.

 

[glass-petal]

i imagine your home environment is pretty unhealthy if a psych ward felt more comfortable than being at home. i'm glad to hear that you had a relatively positive experience there at least, especially when so many people come away from those places with negative memories.

 

[FoxSauce]

I been hospitlized 3 times 1 was ok 2nd was meh 3rd was somethin'

 

[sinnrr-sistrr]

Are there people here that actually kinda liked psych ward experience and would want to go back? First time for me it was against my will but second time I said to the police "please, I want to kill myself, I want to go to psych ward, that's better than being in this house".

I was sent to the psych ward twice when I was 16, both times being released after less than a week.

The first time I had the horrible luck of having the teen hospitalization unit being overseen by my own extremely dismissive psychiatrist that week who, well, dismissed me and my issues because I got along well with the other girls in there.

It took until my second hospitalization barely a month later until I was finally told I might be fucked in the head!!! Unfortunately I still had my shit psychiatrist so both hospitalizations led to absolutely zero follow-ups or changes in my treatment.

But, only talking about my experience in the psych ward, the first time gave me friends I still talk to 3 years later, so that's fun :D

Psych ward time gives you the opportunity to connect with people who really get you. That's what I liked the most about it. Other than that I'd rather never go back there, especially not in the adult psych ward.~✿

 

[Lextyle]

I was sent to the psych ward twice when I was 16, both times being released after less than a week.

The first time I had the horrible luck of having the teen hospitalization unit being overseen by my own extremely dismissive psychiatrist that week who, well, dismissed me and my issues because I got along well with the other girls in there.

It took until my second hospitalization barely a month later until I was finally told I might be fucked in the head!!! Unfortunately I still had my shit psychiatrist so both hospitalizations led to absolutely zero follow-ups or changes in my treatment.

But, only talking about my experience in the psych ward, the first time gave me friends I still talk to 3 years later, so that's fun :D

Psych ward time gives you the opportunity to connect with people who really get you. That's what I liked the most about it. Other than that I'd rather never go back there, especially not in the adult psych ward.~✿

I just really like that nobody want anything from me when i'm in psych ward, I can just sit by myself and nobody will say that sitting and not doing anything is wrong and bad. My first two times on psych ward were also when I was 16, I just really hated the atmosphere in my home and wanted to escape it. Psych ward really seemed better than being at home. Didn't give me any friends, it was just escape from home.

I'm so sorry to hear it's reached this point for you. I really hope things get better and that you're able to find peace soon.

Actually my parents start talking about calling psych ward again because i'm still actively suicidal, I'm kinda scared because now i just want freedom to be able to commit suicide I don't want to wait another month or so in psych ward just for nothing to change.

 

[byec560]

I was pretty neutral on mine. Police showing up at my door was more of an inconvenience than anything. They asked me how I was doing from 1-10 every day and I would always just say 5. Got some mild amusement watching people act crazy. Was mostly just bored but I was bored every day anyway and I've been bored the vast majority of days since. My doctor did violate HIPA by outing my self harm to my parents which wasn't very cool of him (I'm a grown ass man btw so it's not even like I'm a teenager or anything) and occasionally you would get some screaming people or whatever but that didn't really matter much in the grand scheme of things. Heard some interesting stories when I was there. I did get strip searched, which a lot of people hate but I didn't really care tbh. Not a good experience. Not entirely bad either. Just meh.

I been hospitlized 3 times 1 was ok 2nd was meh 3rd was somethin'

What happened the third time if you don't mind me asking?

 

[PanaxMan]

Are there people here that actually kinda liked psych ward experience and would want to go back? First time for me it was against my will but second time I said to the police "please, I want to kill myself, I want to go to psych ward, that's better than being in this house".

That was me until I saw the bill...

 

[FoxSauce]

I was pretty neutral on mine. Police showing up at my door was more of an inconvenience than anything. They asked me how I was doing from 1-10 every day and I would always just say 5. Got some mild amusement watching people act crazy. Was mostly just bored but I was bored every day anyway and I've been bored the vast majority of days since. My doctor did violate HIPA by outing my self harm to my parents which wasn't very cool of him (I'm a grown ass man btw so it's not even like I'm a teenager or anything) and occasionally you would get some screaming people or whatever but that didn't really matter much in the grand scheme of things. Heard some interesting stories when I was there. I did get strip searched, which a lot of people hate but I didn't really care tbh. Not a good experience. Not entirely bad either. Just meh.


What happened the third time if you don't mind me asking?

Well a bipolar patient was getting into other patients nerves . He got a mouth full of another patient (I dont balme her he was driving people crazy) and a girl was trying to get out and slamming doors till she had to be sedated which idk was a bit excessive I think she needed someone to talk to and a tall guy attacked the psychiatrist and had to issue an alarm he was like 6'2 so big guy.

 

[byec560]

Well a bipolar patient was getting into other patients nerves . He got a mouth full of another patient (I dont balme her he was driving people crazy) and a girl was trying to get out and slamming doors till she had to be sedated which idk was a bit excessive I think she needed someone to talk to and a tall guy attacked the psychiatrist and had to issue an alarm he was like 6'2 so big guy.

People causing scenes didn't bother me personally, but I can see why you would find it upsetting. I remember one woman was screaming at the guards at then started stripping naked in front of them. I walked by her room and she was following me with her eyes. Another dude was screaming "I'm not crazy!" and shit like that at the poor receptionists (or whatever you call the people sitting at the desk thing in the emergency room for the psych ward) and then spent the rest of the day talking to himself (lol). Crazy people be crazy, and I was a little bit out of my gourd at the time too.

 

[ImInPain]

Are there people here that actually kinda liked psych ward experience and would want to go back? First time for me it was against my will but second time I said to the police "please, I want to kill myself, I want to go to psych ward, that's better than being in this house".

My first ever hospitalization was when I had a failed attempt that sent me to the hospital. I didn't want to go but I didn't have any choice so I went. I had a really positive experience since I was away from my parents (that drove me to suicide at the time), many stressors in my life, and it was the first time I had been allowed to speak with a therapist and go on medication. The other patients were very pleasant. I enjoyed the group therapy and I think the most helpful thing was having daily therapy and frequent access to mental health professionals that could help me in the moment when I was experiencing panic attacks. It was beneficial for me.

The other times I had went after that, I was put in different ones because I had attempted in a different place but they were completely unhelpful (just like a prison sentence for failing an attempt). The doctor met with me 5 mins out of the day and then ran away, I had no one to confide in about my ongoing mental health crisis, was just disregarded, etc.

So my first was very positive, second and third were neutral (as in just didn't do anything positive despite them being literally for mental health help).
Thankfully I have not been in negative places where they assault or harass patients and stuff like that (very grateful for that). If I had to, I would return to the first psych ward I visited.

Another thing to note is that even though I enjoyed my stay, it's not for everyone. I personally really benefit from intensive and frequent therapy and talking to professionals. I am also very low maintenance so as long as I was fed, showered, allowed to sleep, and given basic things, I would be okay. I did not need my phone (and was honestly happy to be away from it). When I was there, I actually began to have motivation and hope for recovery. I also had a lot of nurturing activities such as playing sports, being allowed to use the computer for 1 hour everyday, many groups and hands on activities. Also, (possibly due to it being a unit for minors) the walls were very colorful and filled with cool, silly murals that certainly made it easier to be there. They had great books and the staff truly did care about me there. One nurse even brought in a book he thought I would enjoy and it has been one of the best books I've read by far.

If someone was to decide between ending their life or hospitalization, I would strongly suggest going to a WELL RESEARCHED hospital voluntarily before trying CTB. They truly can help but there are awful ones that you must absolutely look at the ratings for to make sure you won't be sent to a horrible place. It is very unfortunate but psych wards like that do exist. At least there are good ones too.

People causing scenes didn't bother me personally, but I can see why you would find it upsetting. I remember one woman was screaming at the guards at then started stripping naked in front of them. I walked by her room and she was following me with her eyes. Another dude was screaming "I'm not crazy!" and shit like that at the poor receptionists (or whatever you call the people sitting at the desk thing in the emergency room for the psych ward) and then spent the rest of the day talking to himself (lol). Crazy people be crazy, and I was a little bit out of my gourd at the time too.

Strangely, for me, people acting out in the psych ward did not bother me and was even soothing sometimes. There were times patients would get really aggressive and often times I found it funny (like this one junkie (edit: by junkie I mean actual junkie, as in a drug addict and alcoholic) who was demanding they would let him go, as if causing a fit for the 3rd day in a row would convince the staff to release him). I did not care all that much for my safety either, though I was safe at all times and most patients that acted out would only target staff members and ignore you completely as a patient.

 

[bloodybushman]

I generally view my stay as positive, despite the issues I had.

The therapist was very helpful and honest. The doctor, however, prescribed me Abilify after only talking to me for 5 minutes, and I ended up experiencing a horrible symptom that ruined me for 2 weeks afterwards.

Some of the techs and nurses were extremely uncaring, unfortunately. I know that at least one of them who I had an issue with still works there to this day, because my sister now works there as a tech. I do remember the night shift techs who did my intake were very kind and soft-spoken.

It should be noted that the ward I was placed in was a very new facility, so it had better conditions than most. It was an entirely separate building near the hospital. (I was transported from the main hospital to the facility in a weird mash-up of an ambulance and a police car.) There was even a courtyard we were allowed to be in at certain times. I laid in the grass stargazing one night.