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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 11 to 35 of 35. Go back in thread:
Posted by vwoolf on November 28, 2004, at 7:36:46
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward..... » lostforwards, posted by ed_uk on November 27, 2004, at 19:50:21
Did any of you ever come across a feeling of solidarity amongst the patients, who often considered the staff as "the other" and tried to bait them and upset their carefully constructed plans to "care for" us? Like playing madder than we were, or deliberately not collaborating in group meetings. Or painting really wild pictures, full of blood and flames to frighten the student OT's. Looking back, this understanding amongst ourselves, on the far side of the locked doors and bars, was a great, anarchic form of sanity. Or does that sound really whacky?
Posted by ed_uk on November 28, 2004, at 7:57:35
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward....., posted by vwoolf on November 28, 2004, at 7:36:46
Hi,
I think I know what you mean. Many of the patients believed that they understood each other's problems better than the psychiatrists. There was a feeling of 'shared experiences' and a general dislike of the doctors because so many people were there against their will. We never had any group therapy or any opportunity to paint so I can't comment on that! I remember when people returned from ECT they didn't know where they were or what was going on.
Ed
Posted by lostforwards on November 28, 2004, at 11:24:17
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward..... » lostforwards, posted by ed_uk on November 27, 2004, at 19:50:21
I just turned 22 this month. My first admission was when I was 17. My second ( only 2 weeks ) and third ( almost 2 months ) were when I was 21, and both were this year. I hope never to see a psychiatric ward again.
I'm still recovering from the side-effects I came on here about a while ago. They have improved a lot though.
How about yourself?
What are your psych. ward stats? : )
Posted by ed_uk on November 28, 2004, at 11:34:16
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward..... » ed_uk, posted by lostforwards on November 28, 2004, at 11:24:17
Hi,
I am very glad that you are feeling better. In a few months time things will probably have improved even more!
I am 20 yrs old. I was admitted when I was 18. Stayed for about 2-3 weeks.
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by ladyofthelamp on November 28, 2004, at 13:54:53
In reply to On the psychiatric ward....., posted by ed_uk on November 26, 2004, at 12:36:44
Oh my goodness,i cannot believe that psych wards haven't got any better since i was there for nearly 3 years, with small gaps in between,in the mid 1980's.That is too depressing for words!.I was only 16 but still was put on an adult ward in UK psych hospital.I don't know if that would happen now though.I was and possibly still am totally screwed up from that experience and they were only doing what was best for me would you believe!!!Not
Posted by ed_uk on November 28, 2004, at 14:10:55
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward....., posted by ladyofthelamp on November 28, 2004, at 13:54:53
Hi,
As far as I know, at the moment, you have to be at least 18 to get put on an adult psychiatric ward in the UK. What was your experience? It's ok if you don't want to say.
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by ladyofthelamp on November 28, 2004, at 17:19:29
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward..... » ladyofthelamp, posted by ed_uk on November 28, 2004, at 14:10:55
I have been thinking hard about whether i was older than 16 but no i really was only 16.I seem to remember my social worker saying it was not normal practice for a child to be on a adult ward.This makes me sound like i was seriously ill but i was not.I was getting into trouble with the police and drinking alot but no suicide bids or anything that dramatic.I suppose my behaviour was quite unusual for a female from a,how shall i put it,a pretty straight laced,law abiding back ground.While this type of behaviour is not so unusual now,i suppose it was in the mid 80's.I was going through a time of feeling terrible and alienated and passively suicidal but i couldn't describe how i felt or why i felt like it.I was talked into hospital,well threatened i suppose after courts referred me to Psychiatrist for reports.Incidentally i was wrongly in adult court at 16 because they recorded my age incorrectly(oh my god i had forgotten about that!!).I suppose i was depressed but i was not given a diagnosis as they said i was too young to label.I had 4 admissions to hospital in approx 4 years which ranged from 1 week to 18 months at a time.I have been told that i was put on strong medication as i was non compliant.This was probably because i wouldn't take anything i thought was too severe or not relevant.Eventually they don't give you a choice as i am sure you know.Phew i am worn out with thinking about this part of my life.The doctors and nurses used to brow beat me into staying and then you get scared to leave.I can remember having rages that were totally out of character and being frozen out by the nurses.I am a very gentle person and feel bad about how angry and nasty i got.I do not know why i was like it then as i am very passive naturally.There that is a tiny piece of my hospital history and it feels almost like i am talking about someone else!
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 28, 2004, at 18:01:05
In reply to On the psychiatric ward....., posted by ed_uk on November 26, 2004, at 12:36:44
> About two years ago I spent several weeks on a psychiatric ward because of depression. It was not a therapeutic experience!
>
> I'd be interested to hear anyone else's experience of being in hospital, whether it's positive or negative.
>
> Regards,
> Ed.I was on a psych ward for 20 days, for a very serious case of major depression. They fed me, got my meds, not much else. It was a warehouse for the worst off. That said, I formed friendships in there that are still with me today, many years later. I received and gave validation of experience to others afflicted with difficult situations. I also had the geek thing going on, even though I was messed up, so I was kind of the explainer. The doctors and nurses never explained anything, so somebody had to.
Lar
Posted by ed_uk on November 28, 2004, at 19:37:57
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward..... » ed_uk, posted by Larry Hoover on November 28, 2004, at 18:01:05
Larry, I know what you mean about the warehouse thing!
I remember people being put in the isolation room if they were agitated and making too much noise. The nurses were useless at calming people when they got upset. I also remember how people were when they returned from ECT, they were totally delerious/disoriented.
I was also the 'explainer.' Most people had no idea what their medication was so I used to explain.....
You said....'I also had the geek thing going on.' If you are a geek then you're a nice geek- keep it up!
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by ed_uk on November 28, 2004, at 19:41:28
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward..... » ed_uk, posted by ladyofthelamp on November 28, 2004, at 17:19:29
Hello...
When I was depressed I was really aggressive, in fact, that was the main reason that I had to go to hospital.
In hospital, most of the volunatary patients felt that they had to stay because they knew that if they decided to leave they would risk being sectioned.
All the best,,,
Ed.
Posted by ladyofthelamp on November 29, 2004, at 4:08:08
In reply to Re: To ladyofthelamp, posted by ed_uk on November 28, 2004, at 19:41:28
I think my anger was probably part of agitated mania and contrary to what most people believe mania is not always a happy experience.I am alright until something doesn't go right and then the irritation starts.Like other people i helped lots of patients and used to 'borrow' the BNF book and look up other peoples medication.This was not popular with the staff as they didn't like the patients to be educated on medication.I think this is all part of the controlling atmosphere of hospital.
I do not take any pills now, although i have just weaned myself off Effexor.This is an odd drug as it had a calming effect on me and not an anti depressant effect.I couldn't think on Effexor and was apathetic too.This seems to suit my GP as i just go away and he doesn't have to try too hard.I am physically ill from Effexor so have vowed never to touch medication again and as for going to hospital well i would rather die!!!.I am now waiting for a 'high' as i want to feel alive again.Incidentally it seems people have shorter stays in hospital now or maybe not??
Posted by ed_uk on November 29, 2004, at 5:35:28
In reply to Re: To ladyofthelamp, posted by ladyofthelamp on November 29, 2004, at 4:08:08
Hello,
My sister was recently in hospital for a few days due to an infection. There was a sign on the wall stating that patients should not discuss medication with each other!!
I think the idea of mania being an intensely euphoric experience is quite old fashioned. For many people ths is certainly not the case.
All the best,
Ed.PS. Effexor made me apathetic too!
Posted by dove on November 29, 2004, at 9:12:48
In reply to Re: To ladyofthelamp, posted by ed_uk on November 29, 2004, at 5:35:28
I've been hospitalized a few times, the last three times were last year. The psychiatric hospitals in my state have changed greatly since the 1980's, and for the better. The stays have also changed, even when involuntarily committed, they discharged me earlier than the mandatory legal hold time. Strange... There is however, a big difference in quality between different communities.
While inside the locked (and video-surveillanced) psychiatric wing of the small community hospital, I had educated, warm and empathetic nurses checking on me every 10 minutes for the first 48 hours straight (i am not joking!). During the night they even came in with a flashlight if I turned off my night light--recessed in the ceiling for my safety. I had been living on the streets at this point and had lost over 50 pounds and was literally starving. They had a ward kitchen for the patients with a fully stocked refrigerator: fruit juices, different kinds of milk, lots of tea, coffee, sandwiches, ice cream, fruit, cookies, crackers. bread, yogurt, soup. Always unlocked, always available, it was ecstasy!
We had at least 5 group meetings and activities everyday. Once a week, we did a group activity that included making a big meal for all of us. The nurses were open to patient ideas and personally went out and bought the meal ingredients. We made Tacos one day, and with a whole counter of ingredients (refried beans, tomatoes, cilantro, ect..) and I was allowed (under their canny eyes) to use a real knife to cut the tomatoes and onions, LOL!!!
We saw our assigned psychiatric doctors at least once a day except on Saturday and Sunday, when they visited only once. I also had visits from my Therapist and my private Pdoc every other day. I know that some people did not get this same type of quality care, although, they were still seen by their assigned Pdocs once a day. I had my own mental health people before being committed, and had a serious (and disastrous) breakdown in my own existing illness which nearly destroyed my marriage and family.
The unit had three televisions, we watched the nightly news together as a group every night and nurses assessed how different meds were affecting our mental acuity. We had VCRs and movies (and educational videos) available for semi-private viewing. Family could bring in videos also, and the nurses were not very strict in their content although they preferred non-violent material ;-)
We had exercise equipment, a piano, ping-pong table, pool table, books and lots of newspapers and magazines! The nurses would go online and research our meds and dxes (and sometimes unrelated subjects of interest) and print out stacks (seriously) huge stacks of info for us. I was even allowed to read Psychobabble while sitting next one of the nurses (although I couldn't post).
We had to go outside to smoke, into what we lovingly called "the Cage". It was and is, quite literally, a cage, with metal fences around all sides and plastic covered fencing for a roof--and the ever-present video camera. We were allowed a smoke break about every two hours except during visiting hours when you have extra stress and have to go three and a half hours without a smoke break! One person is named "the keeper of the flame", and they are responsible for lighting everyone's cigarettes and handing the lighter back to one of the nurses when we all come in. Sometimes the nurse would actually forget to get it and we, the patients, would prove ourselves worthy of responsibility by bringing it to her without her first asking.
And yes, lots of nonsmoking patients would also go on the smoke breaks. The nurses called it "smoke therapy" as we spoke more freely and honestly with each other, bonded as a group and individually, and offered each other support, advice and an open ear. We were also not strictly prohibited from smoking more than one cigarette on our break (which was strictly enforced at another hospital I was at) and I could get permission for up to three cigarettes per break.
This is the very first time I have written (or talked) about my hospital stays, so I apologize for the incredible LENGTH of this post! I would love to write another post about the mediocre psych-ward I was inpatient in, between my two stays at this very superb one, but that will have to wait. Thanks for listening!!!
dove
Posted by ed_uk on November 29, 2004, at 9:34:16
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward, posted by dove on November 29, 2004, at 9:12:48
Hello,
Thank you Dove for your interesting post. Your hospital sounds like a 5-star hotel! I look forward to hearing about the other hospital you went to.
All the best,
Ed.
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 29, 2004, at 10:46:29
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward..... » Larry Hoover, posted by ed_uk on November 28, 2004, at 19:37:57
> You said....'I also had the geek thing going on.' If you are a geek then you're a nice geek- keep it up!
>
> Regards,
> Ed.Thanks. Maybe I should find a new phrase. Slang has different meanings around the world, and though I use geek in a self-deprecating manner, I don't want to mislead.
Lar
Posted by ladyofthelamp on November 29, 2004, at 11:57:27
In reply to Re: To ladyofthelamp, posted by ed_uk on November 29, 2004, at 5:35:28
> Hello,
>
> My sister was recently in hospital for a few days due to an infection. There was a sign on the wall stating that patients should not discuss medication with each other!!
>
> I think the idea of mania being an intensely euphoric experience is quite old fashioned. For many people ths is certainly not the case.
>
> All the best,
> Ed.
>
> PS. Effexor made me apathetic too!
>
Hi Ed,You should tell my GP that mania is not necessarily a euphoric experience as he can't get his head round that concept!!.Did you feel less depressed on Effexor?.I felt somewhat inferior or something because i didn't feel good on Effexor.
Posted by ed_uk on November 29, 2004, at 12:50:56
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward, posted by ed_uk on November 29, 2004, at 9:34:16
To Larry..... I think you are an asset to the board. Anyway, I don't think 'geek' has a precise definition.
To Ladyofthelamp.... For me, venlafaxine might as well have been an SSRI. It was OK for anxiety but not that good for depression.
Ed.
Posted by ladyofthelamp on November 30, 2004, at 8:28:45
In reply to On the psychiatric ward....., posted by ed_uk on November 26, 2004, at 12:36:44
Has anyone else ever been physically unwell in a psych hospital?.Now that was an interesting if somewhat scary experience!!
Posted by ed_uk on December 1, 2004, at 8:07:23
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward....., posted by ladyofthelamp on November 30, 2004, at 8:28:45
I've never had any medical problems on a psych ward and it's a good thing too because I don't think my pdoc really knows anything about medicine!!
Ed.
Posted by ladyofthelamp on December 1, 2004, at 8:26:01
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward..... » ladyofthelamp, posted by ed_uk on December 1, 2004, at 8:07:23
> I've never had any medical problems on a psych ward and it's a good thing too because I don't think my pdoc really knows anything about medicine!!
>
> Ed.I had flu on a psych ward in the mid 80's which was the beijing flu or some epidemic.I was the first on the ward to get it and no one ever came to see me in my single room(apart from patients).I was so ill and ended up with a serious ear infection.I have never known such pain but was told by nurses not to make a fuss!!.Eventually after complaining for 4 days they got a doc to look at me and it was so serious they thought i would lose my hearing.Thank fully after treatment i was only left with minor damage.Incidentally i got off lightly with my bout of flu as 3 people died on my ward and one was only 28 years old.Hmmmm!
Posted by dove on December 1, 2004, at 8:53:00
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward..... » ed_uk, posted by ladyofthelamp on December 1, 2004, at 8:26:01
Everyone in the Mental Health Unit of the small local community hospital, is given a thorough physical within 24 hours of admittance by one of the ER docs on call. The psych-staff are very aware of physical conditions which exacerbate, mimic and/or accompany mental illness.
We had one person who contracted influenza and some kind of stomach bug during the last 3 days I was inpatient. They told all of us right away, kept the person in their room, and allowed a limited number of staff (only) to enter that room. No one else got sick during my stay.
On that note, the staff was constantly reminding us to wash our hands during this patient's illness and one of the OCD patients took that to heart, until their hands were conspicuously cracked and bleeding from overwashing. I must say, that I did indeed gain some firsthand experience and knowledge about other mental illnesses while inpatient, and what a difference meds can really make. I am still friends with this patient, and meds have changed their life drastically and for the better.
dove
Posted by ed_uk on December 1, 2004, at 9:02:41
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward....., posted by dove on December 1, 2004, at 8:53:00
Hi dove,
It's good to know that there are some good psych hospitals around!
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by ladyofthelamp on December 1, 2004, at 9:20:13
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward....., posted by dove on December 1, 2004, at 8:53:00
I am not sure whether you have been very lucky with your psych stay or i have been incredibly unlucky.Maybe it is much better in hospitals now.My partner has worked for 30 years and retired recently from mental health care, and around my part of Uk the care of patients seems little better now than in the 80's.I have had such bad experiences that i would rather die than have anything to do with psych docs or wards.I hope other people have better experiences.I used to be trusting of medical services but have been seriously let down in the fairly recent past and prefer to struggle on my own.I hope someone can tell me some positive stories to restore my faith in the medical world.Please!
Posted by pretty_paints on December 2, 2004, at 13:47:54
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward....., posted by ladyofthelamp on December 1, 2004, at 9:20:13
Hi guys!
Just been reading these posts and thought I'd add my own experience.
I'm 20 and I was in for about 3 weeks in August, I went very psychotic.
My experience of it was ok. The place wasnt very clean, quite dirty. I had my own plain, cold room. I got my parents to bring in my duvet to stop me freezing. I saw a doctor about 4 times in total. Different ones too, not always the same one. None of these were my normal pdoc and I was too ill to really give any of them an accurate description of what had been going on, so that didn't help at all. In fact what I found unbelieveable was how I was expected to give massive amounts of information to them. I was brought in and shouved on risperidone straight away. This knocked me out so I slept all day long. Nurses used to come round with the doctor, drag me into a room and then they'd ask me a million questions about how my illness had progressed that year. It was ridiculous. I could barely even make sense of what they were saying. I was worried that if I didnt tell them everything right, like when symptoms had started or when various things had come about, that they'd diagnose me wrongly, which would lead to more problems. They could have got in touch with my normal pdoc and picked her brain, but nooooo.
For me, it was good going away because everything had gotten very intense in my house. I had been running around locking myself in the bathroom, screaming at my parents. I had left university in January due to mental health problems and I'd been home all year. My parents had been great caring for me and I think they were reaching their limit, so me going into hospital gave them a bit of a break. It also gave them some time to concentrate, who had been totally overlooked. He hadn't gotten the grades he needed for Uni but that had fallen by the wayside due to me, his crazy sister. So it was good for him to get a break too.
In hospital, there were no therapy or activity groups. I spent most of the day pacing pacing pacing round the hospital because the risperidone gave me such bad leg restlessness. There was a nice cafe, so friends used to come and see me and if I felt up to it, take me for a cup of tea. The food was really nice actually. When I changed to Olanzapine I became absolutely obsessed with food! It was suddenly sooo delicious! The nurses were kind of nice. I thought they were trying to drug me and rape me at one point, but I think that was my head. I only really trusted one of them, Emily. She was sweet, had big brown eyes, I really liked her. The others were all quite young which was weird. Some were my age.
The other patients were all quite, er, spontaneous. I tried to find the situations funny, otherwise I would have gone even more crazy!
There was a little old lady who got dressed up every day really nice, with her little bag and posh jewels. She used to sit there at tea time reading out the menu, "Lasagne, mmmm, delicious!", "Crumble, mmmm, delicious!", every day the same! And she kept shouting to imaginary people "go away, leave me alone".
There was a man with a broken leg who had jumped off a car park. He was nice, he got me extra chips on my first day.
There was a woman who used to crack up and laugh hysterically for no apparent reason. She used to put her knife and fork down and hold her stomach, laughing away. And then people around her used to join in until the whole table would be laughing! You can imagine the situation.
There was a lovely old lady who had bad anxiety attacks. She used to get really panicky all the time.
And then Debbie. Debbie really went wild while I was in hospital. She thought I was the devil reincarnate because I wore a red coat and jumper. She used to run around the place screaming "I dont want to die! I dont want to die!". She was really terrified one morning when she got her period, and she was convinced she was loosing her baby. She wasnt pregnant but she thought she was giving birth to "Jesus' child". I remember she got the laughing lady involved in her escapades. They were convinced that the nurses were out to get them so they tried organising an escape by ringing this helpline called SANELINE, but they didnt have the number. So they ran around going "we need the number for SANELINE, we need the number for SANELINE!". The head nurse came out and was like, "No, *I* need the number for SANELINE!". Ha ha.
Anyway I'll leave it here. Sorry I went on a bit long. xx
Posted by ed_uk on December 5, 2004, at 2:21:26
In reply to Re: On the psychiatric ward....., posted by pretty_paints on December 2, 2004, at 13:47:54
Hi!
Thank you very much for your interesting post.
Regards,
Ed.
This is the end of the thread.
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