Hospital

[rogelio63]

Have you ever been placed or placed yourself in the hospital?  I'm going to be doing that today or having that done today.  I'm really scared.  Do you know anyone else in our circle of friends here that has?  I've read a book to know what to expect but some personal experiences would help.

[Force78]

Good luck getting yourself committed.  I have tried to do it before when I was having some real issues with my bi-polar and they told me that unless I was suicidal or homicidal it was not going to happen.  I think most hospitals around the country have this same policy.

In my case, I came back a few days later and told them I was suicidal (when I wasn't) and I got in.  Though it probably wasn't that much of a lie since I was feeling really really awful.

[Anneinside]

If they find you unfit for duty, won't they put you on disability?

[rogelio63]

My experience was almost exactly the same as most of yours.  I think it really helped me, but now (because of the length of my absence from work) I may be found unfit for duty (yes, that kind of government work).  I'm looking into other jobs just in case.  I don't really know that much about this situation so I'm calling a retired friend to ask for their help.

[Anneinside]

About getting into the hospital... you have to go through the ER even if your physician sent you. They take you into a consultation room, not an exam room. Urine drug test, breathalizer for alcohol. Vital signs taken. Talk with a nurse first, you change clothes into hospital gown and they take your purse and bag. Then the ER doc comes in and talks to you and determines if you need hospitalization. They check to see if they have room. Or, they check other hospitals for a spot. Either way, you wait for hours. If you have to be transferred to another hospital the police usually transport you... me, as I don't have anyone to take me.

[Anneinside]

I have been hospitalized many, many times from 3 days to 30 days. I'll tell you about the hospital I have been in the most. First I always had a private room. They usually put me in a smaller room that can only hold one bed b/c my sleep is easily disrupted and I am on a CPAP. There are rooms that can accommodate 2 beds but it is rare that they do that. There really isn't much to do during the daytime. There is a group room with a tv (no tvs in the rooms because they want you to leave your room and be with other people), books to read, puzzles, paper and crayons (no pencils when not supervised in a group -  it's a sharp). That's about it in the room. Usually a short goal setting group in the morning. Then a coping skills group after lunch. Visiting hours 4-6pm for friends and family. Your mental health workers can come any time (therapist, case manager) . In the evening there is an activities group with a variety of games to play. Last time I was there they had video games and we bowled most evenings.

Every room had a bathroom with toilet and sink. The shower and tub room is locked and a nurse has to let you in. They will give you an electric razor if you want to shave. Of course the ward is locked and you can't go outside. No smoking but patches are provided. I actually feel a little better when the door closes because I don't have to fight so hard not to suicide. Nothing with laces, belts, sharp, camera, phones, valuables. They put your valuables in a safe. ... Most people wear tie shoes so we all walk around in socks. You wear street clothes, not hospital gowns. They wash your clothes during the night when you run out.

Everyone saw the psychiatrist every day. Because of the setting, I was able to spend a great deal of time with the psychiatrist as they weren't just med check appointments like in outpatient care. I really liked the last psychiatrist that was there but I think she's left now. I have always found the nurses and aides to be very friendly. They were take the time to talk with you if you wanted/needed it.

[lindahand]

I've never been inpatient but I was in day hospital (similar to the out patient program I imagine) for a month and a half. Best thing I've ever done. I learned so much, got back on a schedule, and wasn't looking at the same four walls. Shortly after that I was able to get some part-time work.

Glad you get unlimited sick days. That will really help. Sometimes it can take a while to get back feeling like your old self.

[Shippe13]

Keep up with the outpatient stuff... if you allow it, you can get a lot out of it. I wish you the best of luck! Keep on keepin on.

[rogelio63]

I'm out now.  I guess the worst thing was at the ER I was told I would be in for 3-5 days.  It turned into 16 days.  My family was very supportive and they all know now, which they didn't when I went in. The experience was much like yours.  I had a room mate that was the world's greatest snorer but he was a good guy.  It was ok so long as I got to bed before him (and they supplied me with earplugs).  The only time I got to go outside was with the smokers.  
My wife was very supportive.  The pdoc was good and added Zyprexa to my cocktail because I heard a voice that wasn't there before I went to the hospital.  Luckily my work allows me to have unlimited sick days (government job).

Overall I think it was good for me.  I'm in an outpatient program now for 5 weeks.

[taytay0308]

i have been to a day hospital called new demensions. they were a God sent. knowing that you have support and people going through the same tials and tribulations everyday made a huge difference. I honestly found hope, i saw there was more to me than being just bipolar. I learned ways to let go and deal with things in a healthy mannor. just know what you put into it is how much you will get out of it. i was very very angry when i went in i was at my breaking point after a couple of days i began to take in what people were sayin and i found a whole new way of life. I finally was able to get my meds right and get myself back.. good luck keep an open  mind  

[paranoid_cataclysm]

I'm diagnosed with chronic paranoid schizophrenia, but I ended up in the psych ward due to a depressive episode and a flare up of my schizophrenic symptoms.  The first 24 hours or less can be the scariest and most grueling at least where I was because they put me in the locked in unit and all there was to do was watch TV where some a-hole kept putting the channel on Jersey Shore... that was enough to scar me for life... but anyway that's beside the point.  I wanted to go home the whole time but it's really not that bad at least where I was, only two of the people there were as far out there as I was before I started medication and everyone else was really calm and level headed.

[Jade59]

Hi Rodger. I was in a behavioral unit back in 1988, and it was much like Shippe13 describes.  In fact, almost exactly.  We were woken up at 7am for 7:30 breakfast, then group was shortly after.  You are kept fairly busy all day.  Lights out around 10pm, but we weren't forced to stay in our room if we couldn't sleep.  Could go to the dayroom to watch tv.  During that stay I was taught biofeedback which was pretty cool and something I practice to this day.  We even went on a field trip to the L.A. Zoo.  Smoking was allowed, but outside...something I don't think is an issue for you anyway.  

There's nothing to be frightened of my friend.  I hope it will help.  I'll be checking on this forum for any updates from you.  ♥

[freddie8605]

I know I'm a bit late in replying but how did it go with the hospital? I have been hospitalized a few times too, My experiences sound similar to shippe13 except i got my own room every time, probably because it was a hospital i think 20 something beds and there were plenty showers lol, there is a woman wing and a male wing, we had meals supplied and were good.  People were nice, though i didn't like my pdoc. Other than that it was an ok experience.

[Shippe13]

Hey there. I have been in the hospital a few times. Both of the hospitals that I was in were about the same. I shared my room with someone, both times I really got along with my roomie. The people that had it really bad and needed to be alone had their own rooms. (I think that might vary because of the number of patients in the unit) There weren't super sick people around... not that I saw, anyway. The people who were out and about in the day room (eat there, watch tv, sometimes have group, arts and crafts... blah blah blah) got along well. There was a lot of support there. I was expected to attend group meetings and take my meds and whatnot... but if I didn't take my meds, they didn't like force them on me- it's not like in the movies. I met with my pdoc (psychiatrist) regularly. I ate a lot while I was there. I had visitors, there were specified times. The shower situation was different at both places. At one hospital there were showers and toilets and sinks per room. At the other hospital there were only 2 showers for the entire unit. (I think that was the only weird part about that hospital stay.) Sometimes the other patients will yell a little or cry, but ya know... it is a unit for psych. patients. If you are able to see that they are just having a rough time, you will be able to cope with it. (I say cope like it is something that happened all day long.. it didn't happen very often... I would say once or twice a day.) Not being able to smoke was a tough thing for me.. but the hospital was pretty cool about keeping me stocked with enough nicotine patches and inhalers and gums. There wasn't any caffeine on the unit. I was able to make phone calls and receive them. There were only 2 phones in each unit. I was able to do laundry there. I think that covers my entire life's experience as a psych. unit inpatient. Good luck... and congrats if you made it through that whole thing. I am a bit long winded today.