Irrational Fear of Psychiatric Hospitals.?

Question by Samantha: Irrational fear of psychiatric hospitals.?
I’ve never been admitted to one but have a deep fear of being trapped by people I feel are trying to punish me. Would anyone whose been in one care to share their experience? I am just curious…

Best answer:

Answer by Vulcanus
Not entirely sure if this fear is Irrational! Nobody wants to be trapped.

Answer by naps with cats
I have been in a Psychiatric hospital (it also had a section for addicts and dual-issues, like psychiatric and addiction).

The first day was horrible because I had walked in their to save my life as I was about to carry out a plan of suicide and then I changed my mind because they told me how much it was (and I thought, I guess I don’t want to kill myself that bad because I’m more worried about being in debt), but because I had already expressed my plan, they “held me” on a 5150 (72-hour) hold. That is the worst part if you have to go into that area as it’s blank, white walls, get cold food ’cause you get yours last, the nurses don’t care, you can’t have any, anything out (if you’re suicidal or homicidal – I was suicidal).

The Psychiatrist I was assigned let me out the next evening to go to what they called “the big house” (lol). The rooms were really nice, the food was really good, I hated the group sessions personally, but it was a pretty place (a 100-year-old Arboretum, in fact) and the Hospital (“Las Encinas” in Pasadena, CA) was really nice to walk around because it is so beautiful there. You make friends, some famous (well, there anyways). If you are suicidal and ever express it in group or to your therapist, they will put you on a “one-on-one” where a nurse or someone is assigned to you 24/7 – sit by your bed, go into the bathroom with you, everything.

They had a pool, tennis courts. Sadly for the addicted people, this is a hospital that was very easy to have friends sneak drugs and alcohol into, AND one of my friends (lol) walked right out of the place in his pajamas (lol) and down the street to the Target and called his wife from the candy section (he told me the next day – this guy was hilarious). Anyone could sneak out. I never did. At first, I didn’t want to leave. And it was mostly because of all the medications they had me on, I felt safe there.

Then, after a couple weeks went by, I started feeling trapped, like I couldn’t leave. But if you “play” it right you can get out of there, you just have to be strong even if you’re feeling ill. I only tell you this because the Psychiatrist there misdiagnosed me and 2+ years of my life were gone.

Oh, when you first go in (if you get admitted after your “intake interview”) a bunch of different doctors will see you (and charge you) for blood pressure, height/weight, stuff like that.

Whatever you do, DON’T let them do the brain-fry thing on you – 2 ladies I met there were having that done and they wouldn’t even know who I was for 2 or 3 days. One time I ran down there and opened the door as they were attaching those things to my friend’s head in an attempt to talk her out of it. Of course the doctor’s were pissed off at me and slammed the door. (They left it open, hey!)

Anyways, you generally will share a room with someone with a curtain between you, one phone in the room (always rings too loud). Sneak your cell phone and charger in with a pair of tube socks or something and keep it with you at all times. Same with CD player or whatever – they do go through all of your baggage.

Definitely do not bring any kind of drug, alcohol or anything in there. I was never an addict (was there for, well, they misdiagnosed me), but I have PTSD, Major Depression and Anxiety, among many chronic arthritic and degenerative bone issues.

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