Venting Why psych ward?

[Cutepoison]

Can someone explain to me why after a failed attempt one is put in a psych ward? Do you believe that such institutiona will help you?

Like, I'm thinking - suicide has always been there, whatever the social status. I don't support cult suicides, but when one wants to take their own life only, I think it should be ok, it should be accepted. I think being in a psych ward makes it all worse.

 

[Thatdude]

This is something I asked too. https://sanctioned-suicide.net/threads/why-does-suicidal-psychiatric-ward.23779/

To answer your question, for anyone serious it doesn't help in my opinion. Anyone doing it to seek attention or just because. It might help.
Keep in mind I never been to a ward, but based on my research it isn't a place I would want to go. It would make me want to off myself even more since you can't make money while you're in and you have no idea when you will leave. So potentially you're financially wrecked. Chances are, the problem that caused you to try to off yourself (giving it isn't mental or medical related) it is still there. And so on.


In my opinion, if you want to off yourself. There should be doctors that help you. However, you must go through a few hoops to die. Like in my case, one of the major reasons why I want to die is even with 4 degrees, a number of certs, and so on. I'm a 30 something year old that lives with their parents because it's too hard to find a job, and my autism has blown a number of interviews where I'm at. And any business I start, I can't make enough to move out. Because of this I have to deal with my drug addict sister and her kids. Many days I wake up to her yelling, her having a fit, and so on. Then to top it off. Most of my family treats me like shit. My sister lied about my parents, and keeps doing so. And yet instead of asking us, they assume she is telling the truth, and they hate us.

If there was a clinic I could go to in order to off myself, then I would go. However if I was a law maker, I would put a stipulation where you would have to go to a counselor, and try for x amount of time to rectify the problem. In my case, the they would hopefully help me get a job related to my degree, help me in the interview process, and maybe attach a financial planner to help make sure I don't slip backwards. This completely eliminating the need for me to off myself.

 

[charlottewilts]

I think being in a psych ward makes it all worse.

for many, it does. it did for me. it's a country's way of dealing with undesirables like us. "Here, let's lock you up for a bit so you can't kill yourself. Might as well use you as a guinea pig and see how you react to these pills. Also, have fun squandering for money to pay that hospital bill afterwards!"

 

[Backwood_tilt]

To answer your question, for anyone serious it doesn't help in my opinion. Anyone doing it to seek attention or just because. It might help.

Agreed. The thought of being loaded with tranquilizers or mood stabilizers just so I don't FEEL as upset puts me off, and it doesn't actually change any of the life circumstances that might make me want to CTB.

However, if someone is impulsively suicidal, mentally unstable for whatever reasons, etc., i can see psych ward being the right answer for them. I do think in many of these cases people are seeking attention - not in a bad way, it is just a very extreme cry for help.

 

[Despondent]

A psych ward only makes people feel like what they're think isn't "right" and that they're crazy. They don't care to understand the truth and what peoples thoughts are

 

[DoNotLet2]

I think that it is for "dangerous" people. You get isolated until you get less "dangerous". Not when you get less ill.
They made a very dangerous schema. Suicide attempt=being dangerous. Lol, it's ridiculous actually! You lay down in a normal hospital to have your body fixed after an attempt and then you go to a psychiatric ward no matter how long you have been in a normal hospital.

 

[HopeDiesLast]

It probably makes a huge difference if you're there on a voluntary or involuntary basis...and if your goal is to actually get better or just get out asap so you can try to kill yourself again.

 

[Carina]

Really they normally know it's not going to stop someone. Better psych wards just hope that they can check your meds, make sure it's not some medical/chemical/prescription reason for your attempt, give brief coping things, then let you go and try to get you to go to counseling. They know you lie. They expect it. They're almost more shocked if you tell the truth. If you're in there involuntary, oh they would bet you'll say anything to get out.

But... they do, well some, actually change your meds, do bloodwork, actually check to see if there's an issue, see if maybe you were misdiagnosed, control your food so they can see if maybe that was a factor. Is it like prison with less rights basically (some places at least)? Yep (I've been in one--voluntary, with people in it involuntary--all treated the same).

And even so, they know that the second you leave, you may attempt again, even on their property. But at least they also know, before you leave you at least made an effort to be honest in a lie (if that makes sense) that you wouldn't.

It's just more of a cool off period, just to take a person out of the world. But yes, sometimes it makes a person worse off too. It's all so variable.

 

[Quarky00]

Because suicide is an 'illness' that needs to be 'cured' :) And you are 'dangerous'.

Would they "help" is a rather vague question – depends on person & condition. Some with psychotic episodes recover. Others of sound mind shouldn't be locked and heavily-medicated. Ctb has many causes and some may be addressed. Some can't. "Suicide" in itself is not the problem. And psych wards are not the solution.

* These are some other MH options: Soteria Project , Crisis Houses , Open Dialogue .

 

[TAW122]

@Thatdude I am in a similar situation too. I have Aspergers, which really fucks up my social interactions with people and everyday is a chore to get around and stuff. It's something that I wished I never had to have to deal with. I hate not being able to just "get it" like most NT (neurotypicals) are able to in day to day life. I also have two degrees (A Bachelors and Masters degree) but they didn't really get used. I am just not good enough for my field. There are many other reasons that I wish to die (including philosophical and environmental - both out of my control) but I don't want to go off on a tangent. I do agree with you with your idea of adding in a clinic that allows suicidal people to check out (after going through some hoops and checks before being allowed).

@charlottewilts In response to your quote, I guess this is what one could say in rebuttal "Well, jokes on them. Won't be able to pay such a monstrous medical bill! Want to seize my property, bank account, and garnish my wages! LOL I don't have much to even take, and I don't have a job nor income!" Now of course, this is what I'd imagine someone would say (if they wish to be a smart ass), but of course, I'm just predicting and projecting what I would say if I was ever admitted to a psych ward and then released with a huge bill that I can't (and won't) pay. In all seriousness though, I'd probably just make sure that I off myself soon after such an incident as I don't and will not support a society that sanctions involuntary hospitalization against "suicidal" people.

@Carina Very good post and interesting perspective. I believe the mental health professionals just want to CYA (cover their asses) first and foremost so they go through some really scripted dialogue and then assess the situation from there. As far as a genuinely suicidal people, I would say it harms them even more than it helps, because someone who is genuinely suicidal would really wish to die (but for some reason failed and got saved before they are successful).

 

[FreedomInDeath]

It is liability. If they let you go thinking you are suicidal and you do CTB doctors can and have gotten in legal issues (example a man shot himself in the parking lot of the ER after being released and everyone wanted "justice" from the doctors who let him go.)

 

[Quarky00]

Yeah, know a case of severe depressive episode with psychosis, patient was allowed outside for some air (around the ward in the hospital), they burned themselves to ashes.

Big inquiry, hospital staff under scrutiny, security, regulations, assesment etc ..

 

[purplemoon]

Most people are brainwashed into instantly concluding that if want to ctb, you must be 'unstable' and you need 'help'. What they never take into consideration are:

1) their 'help' is just a label but for a large portion of the population, it usually does not work much or for long, it is just a bandaid that people want to believe in, etc. meds drug up your natural nervous system etc. drugs are not a cure, they are a crutch in many instances

2) each person is an individual with a unique set of problems, environment, damage done to them, resources, lack of/decent support, finances, stress, environment, health issues.... so their 'help' as a generalized formula rarely address these

3) people need REAL SOLUTIONS, not ILLUSIONS... but trying to explain this to brainwashed society is met with resistance because then they would have to wake up, face truths that are depressing, and realize they have been duped... it's much easier for them to just think YOU are 'crazy'.

I used to be partly brainwashed etc. I understand it to a point.

The system and structure of society is very damaging, with constant pressure, and not enough real support or safety nets. They blame the victim when s/he finally breaks, snaps, etc. and then nature takes over and they label the reaction 'crazy', when in fact the person's nervous system and brain is being forced to tolerate unnatural pressures.

 

[PDAnnie2610]

I see it as punishment for behaving in an unacceptable manner, at least based on my own experiences.

Then again, I've encountered a woman who was turned away from services despite having acute psychosis, and she later committed infanticide - system failed her and she was branded as a bad mother...

 

[JustVisiting]

Really they normally know it's not going to stop someone. Better psych wards just hope that they can check your meds, make sure it's not some medical/chemical/prescription reason for your attempt, give brief coping things, then let you go and try to get you to go to counseling. They know you lie. They expect it. They're almost more shocked if you tell the truth. If you're in there involuntary, oh they would bet you'll say anything to get out.

But... they do, well some, actually change your meds, do bloodwork, actually check to see if there's an issue, see if maybe you were misdiagnosed, control your food so they can see if maybe that was a factor. Is it like prison with less rights basically (some places at least)? Yep (I've been in one--voluntary, with people in it involuntary--all treated the same).

And even so, they know that the second you leave, you may attempt again, even on their property. But at least they also know, before you leave you at least made an effort to be honest in a lie (if that makes sense) that you wouldn't.

It's just more of a cool off period, just to take a person out of the world. But yes, sometimes it makes a person worse off too. It's all so variable.

Agree. Has also been my experience.