I just spent 8 days in the local psych ward. What an experience! ‘One Flew Over the Cukoos Nest’ is not far off. Please don’t ask about the event that led me there - I’m not comfortable talking about it but will answer any of your questions about what an actual psych ward is like.
{{{Zago}}}
Been there, done that. Welcome to the ranks of survivors of psychiatric assault.
Did you take your medications voluntarily?
Regards,
Shodan
Yes, I took my meds and did everything I was asked to do. I was the model patient because I wanted to get out of there so badly.
How was the food?
I just get prescriptions from my psych doc and take Xanax and adderall as needed. Seriously who can even afford to spend one day in a psych ward. Rich adult children like Lindsey Lohan can spend $50,000 a month at rehab centers like Betty ford.
Presuming your commitment wasn’t voluntary, do you think it was warranted? Did you find it beneficial at all? If not, what actions do you feel would have been appropriate and/or beneficial, if any?
Hey, Zago. I hope things are getting better for you now that you’re out of there. I don’t have any questions, but I’ll be interested in anything you’d care to share about the experience.
How did your day begin each morning?
** fails to resist urge to make joke about the thread title and multiple personality disorder **
So many questions…the experience in itself was so bizarre, we were in lock down one day because a patient wouldn’t take his meds - very scary. First off, I signed off to voluntarily commit myself when I was interviewed by the shrink in the emergency room d I was in a fog. I don’t think I would ever make that decision again since once I was in it, was up to the doctor to decide when I could be released. I would have released myself immediately - it was so scary, but my doctor didn’t see things my way.
The bills have been unbelievable - I mean I can’t even believe the bills for these doctors and I’m a professional (an architect). Unfortunately I have shit for insurance, Aenta, which is horrible. In fact I just wrote out a 600. dollar check to them today and had already paid them over 400. That’s in addition to the other charges I’ve paid and a 1200. ambulance bill that I’m hoping the insurance will help with. Medical bills are unbelievable!
Finally, the food was actually surprisingly okay. You hear about horrible hospital food but this wasn’t really bad.
I forgot to answer how I started each morning. Well, I woke up on my own around 6 or 6:30. Even though I wasn’t motivated I went to the common room, collected towels and took a shower. After a while they took my vitals, we had breakfast and we all had to ‘report’: you know, how we slept and what we wanted to accomplish that day.
How many very long term patients were there?
How were you segregated, or were you?
Did you spend any time with Gus and Shawn?
There were not any long term patients (it’s not that kind of facility) but there were several repeat offenders. Mostly substance abuse cases. In fact most of the patients were in for substance abuse which means criminal behavior and made me really scared. Still, once you have to live with someone you get to know them and I developed relationships with people I would have run from before.
We were not segregated really but the rules stated that you couldn’t have anyone in your room. I was lucky to have a single room, I suspect that had to do with the fact that I’m on the higher level of the social spectrum (an architect). Or maybe it was just the luck of my coming in when they had a room - still I saw them switch people’s rooms all the time and they never did that to me.
Gus and Shawn?
There’s a show on USA Network called “psych” although it’s a play on words referring to a character’s supposed psychic powers.
Gus and Shawn are the main characters.
Do you own a handgun or assault rifle? Did they even ask?
Does this mean you have to give them up, and/or never own one again? No chance ever again for a lifetime CCW permit?
I would go crazy w/o my semi auto assault rifle and handgun, and CCW permit.
Has this changed how you view physicians? Would you be more hesitant to seek help for mental illness in the future?
Yes this has changed my view of mental health physicians. They get paid HUGE amounts of money. I’ve seen my shrink for years and while he’s very supportive and great during our sessions he has let me down several times including responding to my disability insurance questions. I have to nag him to respond to their inquiries (I tried to kill myself, I think I have a claim) but he’s been unresponsive to their inquiries. I hope my voice mail and email message made an impression - he promises to tackle first thing tomorrow.
Can you suggest anything specific about the facility/staff/experience that could be improved to make the experience less horrific for people?
I’m asking because of a relative of my husband’s who recently committed suicide. I think that a previous traumatic experience in an institution might have influenced his decision. We’re now wondering if there is any legislative or reform avenue to explore that would help to lessen the trauma for people. Examples of systemic or specific issues would help me understand better.
Thank you for being willing to share, Zago, and responses from anyone else are welcome, too.
If you ever find yourself needing emergency help again, what will you do?
Did you feel like anyone cared about you while you were there?