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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ted on August 29, 2002, at 11:02:30
Just asking....
I was in a wonderful private hospital, and it was great there. I call it the "El Camino Resort and Country Club" :-) I wouldn't mind taking an extended holiday there again, but it's more expensive than the south Pacific. :-(
Comments anyone?
Ted
Posted by JonW on September 2, 2002, at 23:38:37
In reply to Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward?, posted by Ted on August 29, 2002, at 11:02:30
> Just asking....
>
> I was in a wonderful private hospital, and it was great there. I call it the "El Camino Resort and Country Club" :-) I wouldn't mind taking an extended holiday there again, but it's more expensive than the south Pacific. :-(Yeah, it was great when I stayed at Princeton House in Princeton, NJ. The best part was that the food was great! I identified with the addicts there a lot which kind of scares me. I think it is horrible how expensive hospital stays are! I also stayed at Columbia in NYC (which was basically useless) for about a week and I owe like $30,000!!! I have insurance that should cover it but it's all screwed up... oh well!
Jon
Posted by judy1 on September 3, 2002, at 13:41:02
In reply to Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward?, posted by Ted on August 29, 2002, at 11:02:30
i'm glad you found your stay beneficial, i have nothing but horror stories to report- and is the main reason i sought a shrink who will not put me in a hospital. i've stayed at the luxury ones- with ocean views- and still was put in restraints, forced medications (shots) and almost forced ECT- i had a judge stop it. take care, judy
Posted by Ritch on September 5, 2002, at 0:57:56
In reply to Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward?, posted by Ted on August 29, 2002, at 11:02:30
I used to deliver food trays to psych inpatients in the hospital when I was a teenager during a temporary summer job, about three years before I was diagnosed with bipolar. Never wound up hospitalized myself, though (knock on wood!). It was funny to hear all of the instructions about not talking to the patients, etc. We weren't allowed to deliver food directly to the lock-up ward. You had to shove the cart through with all of the trays and deliver it to a psych nurse that would unlock a sliding door. I remember making eye-contact with a few of the patients in the lockup ward, and sometimes they would just stand up and start walking toward you and would be stopped by the staff. In the open ward I talked with patients anyhow (despite the rules). The only thing that was really awful that I can remember was having to deliver sealed trays to babies and children in the burn ward (the psych ward was just one floor of several that we moved the nutrition about).
Mitch
Posted by trouble on September 5, 2002, at 12:35:15
In reply to Re: Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward? » Ted, posted by judy1 on September 3, 2002, at 13:41:02
> i'm glad you found your stay beneficial, i have nothing but horror stories to report- and is the main reason i sought a shrink who will not put me in a hospital. i've stayed at the luxury ones- with ocean views- and still was put in restraints, forced medications (shots) and almost forced ECT- i had a judge stop it. take care, judy
Hi Judy,
So far it looks like you are the only woman here who was treated like poop at the hospital, i would like to see more responses here, am very interested in comparing female to male experiences in the psych ward.
thanks
trouble
Posted by Dinah on September 5, 2002, at 13:11:24
In reply to blocked?, posted by trouble on September 5, 2002, at 12:32:55
Posted by trouble on September 5, 2002, at 13:19:52
In reply to Re: Good to see you. :) (nm) » trouble, posted by Dinah on September 5, 2002, at 13:11:24
Posted by k9lover on September 11, 2002, at 12:49:24
In reply to Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward?, posted by Ted on August 29, 2002, at 11:02:30
I was committed for four days and then two days last year. Suicidal. It wasn't so bad - the food was terrible (or was that my appetite?) but I felt safer then at home. Didn't hurt myself and tried to talk things out a bit. Probably saved my life.Jan
Posted by Taylor123 on September 22, 2004, at 20:18:59
In reply to Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward?, posted by Ted on August 29, 2002, at 11:02:30
Hi all,
just wanted to say that I have seen both sides of the coin. HORRID experience being committed to public hospital in the UK a couple of years ago. I was treated like well I can only say not like a human being.
Early this year I was committed to a lovely private hospital. Kept in for 3months, but it wasn't bad. I was treated in a dignified manner and nurses were proffessional.
So, both sides!
Tay
Posted by Ilene on September 22, 2004, at 23:46:15
In reply to Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward?, posted by Ted on August 29, 2002, at 11:02:30
I had a pretty good experience. It was boring, mostly, but I was treated well by the staff if not by the doctors. The only thing they did for me was put me on lithium, which was a big mistake.
I really liked talking to the other patients--nice knowing you're in the same boat as other people, and actually better off than some.
What changed in my life was that my husband sat up and noticed that I really needed him.
Posted by saw on September 23, 2004, at 1:41:52
In reply to Re: Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward?, posted by Ilene on September 22, 2004, at 23:46:15
I was fortunate enough to be in a private hospital on the three occasions that it became necessary. I was treated kindly, the food was good, the place was clean. The first time there saved my life. The last two times I was just hanging on to safety rails.
I committed my ex husband to a public psych ward and saw a totally different scenario. I still shiver.
Sabrina
Posted by B2Chica on September 23, 2004, at 13:21:39
In reply to Re: Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward?, posted by saw on September 23, 2004, at 1:41:52
Now seen both ends.
this spring i was in the hospital for about 2 weeks, best thing i ever did, food actually really good. some mean nurses but others ok.
well, a few weeks ago i was in the hospital for one night and then moved to 'center' not technically hospital but on the same compound, some affiliation-staff was HORRIBLE, treated all 'inmates' like dogs, food was some of the most disgusting i've seen-most animals wouldn't have eaten it. food cold several times not cooked completely. Staff always gave you the run around on questions and i don't know if it was intentional or if they've just been there too long but they played some head games with you too almost Making you more crazy then you were...
Scary violent place. not even to mention the unhigenic(sp?) spaces (including bathrooms/showers went three days without cleaning (so did i for that matter)-no soap, no tp sometimes- old vomit still smelling in some corners.SO, on that lovely note. i have seen a couple sides, however the latter was not technically a hospital-and believe me i was praying every day that i could get transfered back into the hospital. At least in the hospital they let you go outside you could even see outside through personal windows! in the center it was literally an 8x8 cell my 'windows" had what i call chicken wire in side and frosted and bubbled so all i could really tell is if it was day or night and i could see that dang chicken wire.
ok, enough rant. Please remember-when i did go to the hospital itself it maybe wasn't a stay at a 4-star hotel but i got help-it saved me. and it was clean and food was very edible.
i wouldn't mind finding out more about private hospitals though.
b2c.
Posted by Angel Girl on September 24, 2004, at 17:25:18
In reply to Re: Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward, posted by B2Chica on September 23, 2004, at 13:21:39
I've never been hospitalized and the mere thought of it scares me to death. The closest I came was a few weeks ago when my brother went behind my back and told my GP that I was suicidal when I wasn't and I was sent there. After assessment they realized I was 'ok' so I was allowed to go home. I don't think I'll ever forgive my brother for doing that to me. That day was traumatic enough and I wasn't even admitted.
Angel Girl
Posted by iris2 on September 27, 2004, at 11:58:03
In reply to Re: Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward?, posted by trouble on September 5, 2002, at 12:35:15
Trouble,I have been in many hospitals, on many psch wards. I was in one psychiatric hospital for a year. My usual experience in a psych ward in a general hospital is that no one really knows what they are doing including the docs. You will usually give everyone the newest med on the market regardless of past history or dx. Generally I felt a sense of relief for about a week even though most of the staff treated me like an animal. To be sure usually one they could boss around a bit but sometimes pet if they so desired. My relief was being out of my own messed up environment. After about a week I usually could not stand the treatment of the staff or some of the worst personalities and acting out of them on the unit and high tailed it out of there. I also spent several stays in a psychiatric hospital "Western Psychiatric Hospital and Clinic' in Pittsburgh. It was the worst. Here the docs thought they knew it all and they did not. Everyone was extremely controlling and basically you had to suffer through your stay. If you did not follow all their rules they would constantly threaten to commit you. I actually had it happen once and even my therapist, who worked sometimes at the hospital, filed a complaint. So it was not all my illness and me.
One experience I had there that I never told anyone for many years is when I was rather young one of the aids took a liking to me. He would ask permission to take me outside the grounds to get prescriptions for other patients. One time after a while he tried to kiss me in the elevator. I was like 17 and scared to death. That day or the next he locked me in an office and told me that I was a nymphomaniac and so was he and that all I needed was for us to get together. All I could do was quiver and cry. He finally just let me out. I guess he knew me enough to think I would not tell anyone and I was too afraid to.
When I stayed in the long-term hospital it was like a feeding frenzy at meal times. It was family style. It was gross. Some patients would pick their nose all day and then get to the food before you for instance. Some of the patients ate so gross I cannot even explain it. It was even more disturbing to me as I have an eating disorder. They did not help me much at that hospital. The doc I had was great though. I saw him every day and sometimes on the weekend. He was very dedicated to his work. He was in charge of the unit I was on in that hospital. After a year or so he decided that it was not helping me. At least he was honest about what his abilities were which is much more than I can say for most of the pdocs I have seen in clinics and hospitals.
Obviously I have little good to say about in hospital or outpatient clinics. You wanted to know a woman’s point of view. Here is one.
Irene
Posted by B2Chica on September 27, 2004, at 13:40:23
In reply to Re: Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward? » trouble, posted by iris2 on September 27, 2004, at 11:58:03
Irene,
oh,man. i am sso sorry you went through all that.
But i got to admit i was nodding my head an awful lot when i was reding that. this last bit i had was at a county holding 'crisis center' and the conditions were horrible! just like you described- the feeling of degrading, intimidation,-threats of commiting you-the disgusting conditions and meal time...man you hit it right on!i don't know about you but that experienced changed me forever, i was there a week and lost 8 lbs. i was terrified all the time mostly of the staff but of a couple px too.
it's a shame we have experiences like this to share isn't it?
but i am glad someone else understands.
b2c.
Posted by iris2 on September 27, 2004, at 15:12:25
In reply to Re: Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward, posted by B2Chica on September 27, 2004, at 13:40:23
I have some terrible stories of abuse that I had but save that for another time. Lots of nightmares. I am glad also to be able to share any of this. I never have before. NO one would ever believe me. In fact when I tried to share I usually was told or made to feel like it was all about MY illness and nothing with the "care" I was receiving!
Thanks for providing a safe place to speek and for sharing your experiences so that I do not feel so alone. It is even more traumatic after being treated really bad for your family and people that are supposed to be advocating for you treat you like your out of your mind about it all. I learned to shut up. Keep in touch I'll tell you about how a clinic tried to have me committed because I knew too much! I sued them but the paperwork got in a fire and I could not bring myself to go through all the trauma again.
irene
Posted by B2Chica on September 28, 2004, at 14:06:21
In reply to Re: Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward » B2Chica, posted by iris2 on September 27, 2004, at 15:12:25
man, that is just horrible.
i understand. they were trying to have me committed as well, but didn't even tell me about it- they kept feeding me lines and finally when i met with a pdoc and nurse the pdoc kept asking the nurse when i'd get released (cuz i kept asking for specifics from him) well, she hesitated-looked at me like she didn't want to say anything infront of me but then said "dr.X (psychologist) said ABSOLUTELY NOT, that she is to be committed for inpatient long-term care at the 'institute'."
even the pdoc looked a little stunned. inside i was jumping out of my skin-luckily i was so stunned that all i could muster out of my mouth was "whhat?"
the pdoc paused a bit (he's 60 something and really relaxed/causual) leaned back and said slowly "dr.X said this? well i'll talk with her, but noo, i don't think she needs all that". then the meeting was over and assured me (once again) that i would be leaving anyday now.
i think i'm still terrified to my core about this Iris2. i can't even stand to think of it. i can say it coldly but i can NOT let my mind go there.
i'd say that the staff was all gaslighting me but then i'd be sounding paranoid. everything i did-if i cried=depressed, cheerful=manic or 'childish'as she wrote in my file, if i kept my cool=inappropriate affect, if i asked questions=paranoid.
they kept telling me to ask questions about being sent to the hospital (instead of this center) and because i did i found out later (by accident) that they considered me still high risk (suicidal)-i was floored and asked why-they said i was 'expressing it', again...floored i said -enraged but calm- how? i haven't tried to hurt myself? - they said no, you've been verbalizing it...yes, still floored i was "what do you mean verbalizing it? i never once talked about hurting myself in ANY way?!"
they replied, you've been consistently talking about going into the hospital...
can you hear my blood boil from here? THEY TOLD ME TO ASK ABOUT TRANSFERING THERE< AND THEY TOLD ME TO KEEP ASKING!!!!!!!!!!
and because i was, i was deemed suicidal!!
(again, with no one discussing this with me. all assumptions based on what?? i'll never know)-i can only Pray that most of the staff looses their jobs and NEVER again works in the field of mental health.
i'm sorry about your nightmares, i can relate. my biggest fear growing up was the fear of being institutionalized...this experience was literally...LITERALLY my Worst fear playing out.
the first week i was out i was Constantly looking over my shoulder, i jumped at Everything. afraid to go into public restrooms, afraid to be around strangers-yet didn't want to be trapped at home, and yes i had several nightmares about that place, but i think mostly a fear of going to sleep (as if my sleep wasn't bad enough). i hardly slept when i was there and it's carried over.
i am better about the jumping thing, but still looking over my shoulder (though i've always had a degree of this).
but i'm still scared to death to tell anyone anything about how i REALLY feel?!
i mean, i had major trust issues before all this?
that place did NOTHING but Compound ALL my issues and i've sinced tucked everything back down and it's going to stay there! cuz i can't take that risk of being 'committed' EVER again.-sorry to rant about me..
but it's like you said -EVERYTHING you did was 'her illness'. God forbid i should have some actual feelings of my own.
and it doesn't help when familly and friends (though trying to help i know) make things worse. one time during a (escorted) visit, my husband said i had lost a lot of weight and i needed to eat..I FREAKED OUT and changed the subject trying to shut him up! i just knew then they'd tack on 'eating disorder' as well.ok.
rant done.
tired now.please take care of yourself iris2.
b2c.
Posted by Fi on September 28, 2004, at 14:07:35
In reply to Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward?, posted by Ted on August 29, 2002, at 11:02:30
I've just found out that MIND (a leading campaigning UK mental health charity) is doing a 'ward watch' campaign about conditions in in-patient wards here.
If anyone is interested, the summary is at (deep
breath!)
http://www.mind.org.uk/News+policy+and+campaigns/Campaigns/Minds+Ward+Watch+report+key+findings.htmOr just navigate from the home page www.mind.org.uk/ Basic findings sad things like percentage who experienced physical/verbal abuse, boredom, scruffy physical environment, variable amounts of respect from staff...
Fi
Posted by iris2 on September 28, 2004, at 15:14:34
In reply to Re: Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward, posted by B2Chica on September 28, 2004, at 14:06:21
I've had similar experiences both in a hospital and in a clinic. In the clinic they just kept lying to me and I finally got an "advocate" and sued them. They continued to lie. The "advocate" did not give a da** and told me years later "they" had decided that I was just so angry and upset that "they" should just try to calm me down. All they did was make me want to blow because they were supposed to be helping me and they were just going along with all the lies. I still get all fires up just typing this. I read a lot of my records not all they would not allow it. I had to get a lawyer to do that and they kept telling me they never received his letters until I had them sent return receipt. Anyway the state lawyer came to my home and told me confidentially that they were really bad and I would win the case hands down. Then a few months later I find out that all the work I had done got burned up in a fire.
I had nightmares about what these people had done to me quite purposefully for years. I used to want to go over there and blow up the building.
Anyway the way I finally got over most of it was when I realized that the more I let what they did to me affect my life the more it meant they were being successful. So I had to put it behind me or they win. It is as simple as that. The thought of letting these things go seems so wrong as we have been so violated. But if there is nothing you can do about it (I tried with the lawsuit but fait was not with me) then hanging on continues to let them have this negative affect on your life. They are not thinking of you they are on to their next victim. Another thing you cannot dwell on if there is nothing you can do about it. You have to put it behind you or you are giving them a success. You need to be the one in control and make yourself a success. Not allow for what others have inflicted upon you to have a permanent affect. Do not give them that power. They su**. You are the good one here so prove it.
Forget those jerks and live a happier life. That is my wish for you.
irene
Posted by fallsfall on September 29, 2004, at 9:39:56
In reply to Re: Did anyone *like* being in hospital psych ward » B2Chica, posted by iris2 on September 28, 2004, at 15:14:34
I've been avoiding this thread because I know that when I start to talk about my times in the hospital that it means that I'm not doing well...
I know that the accounts on this thread are true, and I think that it is unforgivable that such "treatment" and such places exist. But I do want to go on the record to say that not *all* hospitals are awful. Some are very, very helpful. I'm not going to go into how wonderful my 2 hospital stays were (I have told about it on other threads in the past). But they were important and helpful to me. I didn't like every minute that I was there... But overall, I think that it was a really good thing that I went.
I don't want everyone who reads this thread to say "I'm never going to a hospital because hospitals are awful places" because some people really need to go some times. And if they only hear the horror stories, they will be afraid to go - and that could be catastrophic.
I think that it does make sense, before you are in a severe crisis, to research your alternatives. Hospitals DO differ immensely. Find out about the hospitals in your area. Which ones take your insurance? Do your therapist and pdoc prefer particular hospitals over others? Can you talk to anyone who has been in any of these hospitals (find a local depression support group, I bet you can talk to some people there)? Go for a tour (this can really help with your anxiety if you do need to be admitted - to know what the place looks like and sounds like). It is scary to think that you will ever need to go into the hospital, but if you are having suicidal thoughts, I think that it makes sense to do a little research. Then if you do end up in a crisis you can tell them which hospitals you prefer. Of course, whether you get to go to your "favorite" hospital will depend on whether there is a bed available. At least this way you can be an informed consumer.
It is truly awful when the place you go to get help is hurtful. That should never happen. My heart goes out to those of you who have had bad experiences in the hospital.
Posted by iris2 on September 29, 2004, at 12:53:05
In reply to Good hospital experiences, posted by fallsfall on September 29, 2004, at 9:39:56
Fallsfall,
I am so glad you thought to post about good experiences too. How thoughtless of me not to think how this could have a negative impact on someone in great need of a safe place.
With all my bad experiences in hospitals most of them had some good come out of them. If I were ever in a position that I felt suicidal and needed a safe place to be and or get some help I would not hesitate to go back into a hospital. I agree that when you are in better shape it is a good idea to try to find out the hospitals that are better to go into. And by the way from experience, if you are feeling suicidal or self injuring or hurting others try to get yourself to the hospital of your own accord. You will have a much better chance of choosing which hospital you go into. If an ambulance comes to get you usually they will take you to the nearest place or where they are contracted. Occasionally they will listen to you and take you where you prefer to go. You should get help for yourself and not wait until you have no control over where and when you go.
irene
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