Question:
I think ive decided, im goin to check into a psychiatric hospital, wat can i expect?
xXAnemoneXx
2010-09-23 21:15:34 UTC
Ive decided it may be a good idea i check in for depression. Im getting tired of the apathy bs.
Thing is i dont know what to expect. Like when i check in, can i take anything, how long will i have to stay, will i have to take meds, whst can i expect to experienc and stuff you know?
Nine answers:
?
2010-09-23 22:21:43 UTC
I don't know whose apathy you are referring, and can't tell from your post if you are depressed. To get into the psych ward, you need to convince your doctor or professionals in the emergency department that you are a danger to yourself or others. You can't just waltz in there because you're impatient with your treatment.



In the ward, you can't have anything metal or glass, or sharp plastic. No electronics. No shoelaces or belts. Take about 3 days worth of clothes, underwear, socks, pjs, a robe perhaps (no belt) (you will be allowed to do laundry under supervision in the ward). When you enter, your luggage will be searched, and you may get a quick body search.



You can't have wire-bound notebooks, but it's good to have a pad of paper for notes and questions for your doctor. I always take a good novel. Leave the Goth and Vampire themed novels at home, because they won't let you keep them. No snacks or candy.



I have stayed an average of 7 days when in, but I think in 'Oz it's more like 3. You won't HAVE to take meds, but staying is pointless if you don't get stabilised on a medication. Make sure to ask your doctor to give you something like Ibuprofen PRN in case you get a headache, and for something to help you sleep. I tried Sonata last time, and it helped a little.



You will be kept pretty busy learning about good mental health coping skills, anxiety, what depression is, group therapy, etc. You will probably be fed pretty well.



Your visiting time with friends and family will not be daily, and may be for only an hour or so on days when they allow visitation. There may be a telephone or two to share with however many people on the ward, and there may not be a way to call out unless you buy a phone card before going in.



You may end up meeting some really great guys who are in your very same situation. I have met some spectacularly strong, good people in the ward.



You will need to tell your doctor you smoke pot, because being without it may make sleeping difficult. Also, it is a depressant. Using it may affect the dosage of any medication youe may get.



Best of luck to you!!
Chibi
2010-09-24 04:50:51 UTC
I've been in 4 psychiatric hospitals in two different states. It's been a while but I 'm sure it hasn't changed too much.



The kind of care you can expect depends on your state. You may want to have a hospital picked out ahead of time and find out which of those will accept your health care. The place will really change how effective the visit is, trust me! The last time was because I went to a place where I was able to be truly helped. It was very far from my home but worth it.



What you can bring depends. Don't bring anything you will be broken hearted if you were to lose them. Many patients are thieves, though some hospitals are better than others for this. For the first week hospitals will watch you to make sure you are not a risk. For this period some my not allow you to have shoe laces. If you have any house shoes I would bring these. If not they may give you hospital shoes. Bring anything you need to shower. They will only provide very bad quality cosmetics including shampoo and condition, and shampoo. Some will only have shampoo and expect you to use that alone. They will not allow you to have a normal shaving razor, so forget that. Some may let you use an electric saver, but this depends. If you have long hair I would suggest packing a hair tie. They often have outdoor activities and other times you may want to tie your hair back. Crayons are the easiest to get them to allow. Some allow pencils after the first week or sooner as long as they are returned.

If you can bring your own pillow. The beds are not so bad, but the pillows are normally hard. They are normally pretty cold so bring a jacket and some long sleeves. If you get cold at night you may want to also bring a blanket. Pictures of loved ones and other things you are not afraid to lose are also nice because it does get pretty lonely.

You may have to take meds. Your parents get final say on whether or not you will be taking them. Often I did not take any, because I have no imbalances of the brain. Just really needed therapy.

If you have family they may be able to bring you other things as need be and visits are at a set time.

The people are all different. Sad people really. I always felt for them all. In general...I feel many of them were like me and all dealt with issues of feeling unloved and worthless. But most of them are friendly, depending on the set up of the hospital. The staffs actions vary. Here in Florida they acts like I was a monster. In New York and Manatee county they treated me with dignity and respect. They helped me the most of all.

I would suggest that if you can get help, then it may be best to see a therapist rather than going to a mental hospital. If you do not feel you are going to hurt yourself or someone else then this is the best option. There are places you can go that will give discounts based on income. There are many options! Let me know if you need any support!
?
2010-09-24 04:45:28 UTC
People only go to hospitals mainly if they are at risk of hurting themselves or others. I don't think you can check yourself in only because you feel depressed. But as for what you can expect if/when you do go...



I voluntarily checked myself in to the hospital in February 2008 becuase I had a plan to kill myself, but that's what my therapist at the time recommended. Voluntary is always better than involuntary. I was there for 5 days but how long you stay is up to the doctors. Check-in/intake could take a while. I got to the ER around 2:30pm and didn't get up to the psych floor until after 8pm. A nurse did my intake in the ER about why I was there and some symptoms I was having. Then a few hours later, a nurse from the psych floor talked to me for probably 30 minutes and did a whole history on me.



I was allowed my own clothes. I had sweatpants, a hoodie (strings were taken out of all of them), and tee shirts. My shoes were kept locked up and I was given pairs of socks to wear. We were given scrub-type pants to wear like nurses have so I wore those most days instead. You can take some stuff. I had a book and a notebook, but since it was a spiral notebook, they took it off me since I, or someone else, could have used the metal to cut. Anything that a person can use to hurt themselves will be taken away.



You will probably be put on meds. They will make sure you take them every day/night. I didn't know anybody that wasn't put on meds.



My schedule was:

wake up/breakfast at 7am...activities of daily living (ADL's), like showering, making your bed, etc....saw psychiatrist around 8-9am...a group or two in the morning...lunch at 12...another group or two in the afternoon...dinner at 4...visiting hours in evening...then bed.
menancy
2010-09-24 04:32:46 UTC
A behavioral health center is generally for people who is having trouble functioning in society, or who may harm themselves or others. You will have to go through an intake process, and then the center will determine if you are acutely in need of in-patient care. If you are admitted, you will go through a very thorough diagnostic process and you may be given medications. You will be assigned a psychiatrist, a roommate, and go to individual and group therapy during the day. You can usually bring what you need, except things that could harm you or others (razors, etc.). They will take any medications you have and administer them at the proper times. Different centers have different rules, so there may be more restrictions.

What else have you done to deal with your depression? Is your depression the result of any recent event? If you are able to function in your life (however apathetically), you may do better with a long-term relationship with a psychiatrist and/or therapist. If you at any time feel you may harm yourself, or someone else, call 911, or have someone take you to a behavioral health center (this is important).

It is possible to manage depression, and the fact that you are looking for help is a good indicator that you will probably be successful in your treatment. Good luck; you are brave indeed!
?
2010-09-24 04:31:38 UTC
I was in one once. It was very interesting. There was only 13 other kids or so. The TV was always on. It was mostly law and order SVU or the news. It was very scheduled. There was art, music therapy, we got to dive off of these rock things. It was therapeutic and the kids were nice. I shared a room with 4 other girls. The door was open and our room was right next to the front desk thingy. We watched movies at night. They let us outside sometimes. It was ok. The staff wasn't the best though. And no, but you can't smoke pot in there. Its good to go in voluntarily. You can leave after 3 or so days if you don't like it.
?
2010-09-24 04:20:58 UTC
Only 6 days ago you stated you are waiting to see the doctor still so you do not have a diagnoses.



You cannot check yourself into a psychiatric hospital. It is up to doctors. You have to get a recomendation to be there from your doctor, psych counselor, and the hospitals doctor to be there. It is a very long process averaging (in my stays) 9 hours or so. in those 9 hours you get about 2 visits to gather vitals and information about you. Like i said though, walking in and saying "i want to check in" isn't going to cut it. Hospital is a last resort treatment for those so severely disabled by their mental illness. Since you have no history of mental illness or haven't even tried waiting and treating it yourself, they'll probably just tell you to follow up with your doctor.



Rules (by what you asked) Wear ur own clothes, no belts, shoes, wallets, strings of any sort, obvious things. It depends how long you stay, minimum is 3 days. Even if you voluntarily go in, you sign yourself to the hospital and it is up to them when you leave, not yourself. If you are going to the hospital i dont see why you wouldn't take meds, it makes no sense and would defeat the purpose of even going to the hospital. So yes of course you have to take meds. Your day is filled with different types of therapy or "groups".



My schedule was



6:30 - wake up, breakfast, recreation, group, break, group, psychiatrist visit, lunch, group, group, break, group, dinner, group, recreation, snack, recreation, sleep at 10:30



Medications are given at 9am and 9pm. If you are on multiple they give you them through the day, you also can request meds like tylenol or xanax if your doctor tells the staff it is okay.





Also I'll state that usually if you are there for more than a week or two and still have not gotten better they will probably send you to the state mental health hospital, where you can be there up to 6 months if necessary.
*~Sandra V~*
2010-09-24 04:24:43 UTC
They will do an assessment on you taking your history and problems and then start a case management meaning the best way to help you. Then you will be in the hospital after admitting you. Then you will see a doctor and they will start trying drugs to help you and hopefully you will feel much better. I know of a good online support group for mental issues. You can find some support and have your questions answered by people who have been through it.
Bronnii
2010-09-24 04:33:07 UTC
you cannot just check yourself into a psychiatric facility - you need to be assessed by a psychiatrist who will determine whether it is the best option for you. all facilities have different rules & regulations as to what you can & can't have & hat they will do. Yes you will have to take meds - in fact most psyciatric hospitals are used for crisis situations where the goal of admission is to get you stabilised on meds & for that purpose you are quite often on high doses of medication. as to what happens on a day to day stuff, again it is extremely different in each facility.
?
2010-09-24 05:04:43 UTC
It depends on how unstable you are. Most likely they will get meds in you and when you stabilize they will release you. You will need to make sure you follow up and get therapy nad take your meds when you leave


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