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My Psychiatric Hospital Experiences (What’s It Like Inside?)


Venomous

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Hello

Over the course of the last 5 years, I have been admitted the psychiatric unit 4 times. All of these admissions were involuntary with the exception of the fourth stay.
 

For a long time, I struggled with (and still do struggle with) anxiety, borderline personality disorder, insomnia, and depression. I found myself entering romantic relationships in an effort to make myself content. I essentially relied on the other person to make/keep me happy and when I was broken up with, I nearly went insane. I became hysterical after each break-up, even becoming suicidal and executing self-harm.

I am going to share with you all what it’s like inside of a behavioral health unit.

Disclaimer: Not all psychiatric hospitals perform this way. 

When you enter the ER, you tell the receptionist that you are in a mental health crisis and they will have someone escort you to a testing area. You will be escorted by a nurse as well as a security officer. This is where you will have blood drawn and vitals taken. After this, you will be taken to a temporary holding room. When you reach the holding room, all of your personal belongings will be removed from your person including your clothes (being given a hospital gown and socks instead). In this room, you will have a bed and maybe a chair. This is where you will remain until it is decided whether or not you will be admitted to the psychiatric floor. A crisis intervention worker will meet with you and ask you questions about what brought you there. They will then rally that information to a psychiatrist who will also come to speak with you. This process can take up to 12 hours. I once spent 10 hours waiting.

If it is decided you are in stable condition, you will be discharged. If not, you will be admitted. You will then be brought to the mental health floor. You will first meet with a nurse who will go over the rules as well as the schedule. You will be given a room which you will either be alone in or have a roommate.

The schedule I had was this:
Breakfast: 7:00am
Group therapy: 9:00am
Lunch: 11:30am
Group Therapy: 1:00pm
Group therapy: 2:00pm
Dinner: 5:00pm
Shower: 5:30am - 7:00am and 8:30pm - 10:00pm
Phone calls: 8:30am - 9:00om
Visiting hours: Mon. Wed. Fri. 6:00pm - 7:00pm  
Sat. & Sun. 1:00pm - 3:00pm and 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Holidays 1:00pm - 3:00pm and 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Medications: 8:00am and 8:00pm

What kind of food do they serve? It’s hospital food so it isn’t great but it wasn’t terrible, either. I was actually able to choose from a pretty extensive menu.

What is group therapy? This is a therapy session but with other patients. The therapist will go over basic things like how to handle anger. An activity may be played as well like ‘Guess that emotion!’ Each patient gets individual sessions with a therapist and psychiatrist as well which is personalized to your needs/issues.

Who can visit you and what are the rules? Anyone can visit you so long as it is kept to 2 people they both are 18+ All visitors must relinquish all personal belongings before entering the psychiatric floor. Visitors cannot bring you items.

What is the room like? A behavioral health unit room consist of a bed (2 if you have a roommate), a bathroom, and maybe a shelf. There is no television. The beds are single-sized and come with one blanket and pillow.

Here is an example of what the rooms look like:

Spoiler

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At nighttime, you are required to stay in your room. You also must have your door slightly open, a little less than halfway. This is because the floor’s nurses check on you every 10 minutes (yes, all throughout the night). They don’t say anything to you, they just look in although they might call out your name if they are concerned for whatever reason. This annoyed me quite a bit, as the hall light shined in all night and I seemed to always get my name called when I was sleeping really well.

There isn’t much to do on this floor. There is a lounge area for the patients which usually includes one television and a section for board games, books, and art equipment. I was able to bring a book in my room but staff keep your number of items limited. You can take naps too which I did a lot. I actually found it more enjoyable to interact with the other patients, conversing and telling stories. I have met a few people who really helped make my stay much more bearable. Other patients are not allowed in your room if they are not your roommate

Contraband checks took place a few times per day, usually at random.

What is considered contraband?

  • Hats/caps/bandanas
  • Jewelry 
  • Belts
  • Shoes with laces, metal studs, buckles/ornaments or sharp potted edges
  • Neckties
  • Clothing with strings
  • Scarves
  • Suspenders 
  • Overalls with attached suspenders 
  • Pantyhose
  • Wire or plastic hangers
  • Purses
  • Sunglasses
  • Stuffed animals 
  • Narcotics 
  • Medications 
  • Weapons
  • Ammunition 
  • Pepper spray 
  • Glue
  • Cell phones
  • Cameras
  • Headphones or earphones
  • Electronic toothbrush 
  • Appliances 
  • Aerosols
  • Chargers
  • Lighters or matches
  • Nail care products such as files or nail polish
  • Makeup
  • Dental floss
  • Tweezers
  • Metal combs
  • Hair picks
  • Any item in a glass container 
  • Any item that contains alcohol 
  • Nail clippers
  • Plastic bags
  • Own pillow or blanket
  • Suitcases 
  • Markers, pens, or pencils
  • Balloons
  • Yarn
  • Sewing items
  • Stuffed animal(s)


Then what can you have/are you given? All patients are given a tooth brush, tooth paste, plastic comb, non alcoholic facial cleanser, and a bar of hand soap. You are allowed to bring your own clothing but it is limited to 3 pairs of underwear, 3 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of pants, 3 pairs of pajamas, 1 robe (no ties), 1 pair of shoes (no laces), and 1 sweatshirt/sweat (no ties). You may also bring your own personal care items such as a tooth brush, tooth paste, a brush/comb, 1 shampoo, 1 conditioner, 1 lotion, and 1 pack of feminine products.

Overall, staying in a mental health unit isn’t a terrible experience. You aren’t placed in isolation or a padded cell.. Patients actually have quite a bit of freedom and I was always treated very well. Obviously, if a patient is exhibiting dangerous behavior, proper actions will be taken but that doesn’t happen often. A good amount of fellow patients were admitted for a similar reason as you and are also normal people who deserve respect just like you do. It’s not a fun place but it is the best place to be when you are in a mental health crisis and I have found that my times there have helped a lot.

I have been “clean” of admissions since 2018 and have gotten much better with dealing with my emotions, Borderline Personality Disorder, anxiety, and depression.

Feel free to ask any questions or share an experience you had in a mental hospital if any.

Thanks for reading.

  • Brohoof 7

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I've spent a lot of time in hospitals for various maladies, though none of them for mental health. I've never understood the stigma behind treating mental health differently than physical issues, however a vast majority of people will never see the inside of a mental health facility, so I appreciate you sharing this. It probably isn't the most comfortable of memories to recall, let alone talk about. I know I'm not a fan of thinking, let alone talking about being in the hospital.

  • Brohoof 2
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I don't feel comfortable with elaborating but I've been there, several years ago. It was the only time I've ever been admitted to a hospital, though I've had a couple of trips to the ER.

As a psychology student and aspiring mental health professional, it is my hope that one day I can do my part to help folks who've experienced what I've experienced...

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I remember you sharing this with me, and I can imagine it was even harder to share it here publicly. You are a strong woman and I have noticed the fruits of your struggle. Keep up it! <3

  • Brohoof 1
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@Bas

I have been taking Seroquel since this past January. It has helped me greatly but I am working with my psychiatrist toward getting off of it. It gives me problems with my blood sugar levels and has caused weight gain.

Yes, all of my visits to the emergency room have been like this. My local hospital makes patients wait for hours on end before they decided whether or not they should be admitted to the psychiatric floor. If you are admitted for any other reason, you are seen quickly.

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