tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607863253105913866.post6506618745564588431..comments2023-04-03T00:37:53.697+01:00Comments on Female, Twenty Something, Schizophrenic, GSOH: How to Survive Psych WardsKaty Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13384403447580393959noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607863253105913866.post-56036236635248429352013-10-21T16:01:41.843+01:002013-10-21T16:01:41.843+01:00Hi Michelle,
I've heard a few people saying t...Hi Michelle,<br /><br />I've heard a few people saying that staff on adolescent wards are better than the staff on adult wards, but as I've never been on a teen ward I wouldn't know! The staff in this ward I'm in at the minute are really good, most are really caring and will bend over backwards to help. One nurse even let me go to the shop by the main entrance by myself, which felt really good. The shop is right by the doors to the unit, the doors were unlocked and while I did feel tempted to run, I didn't. But I feel so good that I was allowed to go!<br /><br />I'm glad I'm allowed my phone, laptop and iPod with me in here, I'd be really struggling without them. They also let me keep my chargers too, so I'm never without my stuff.<br /><br />I know what you mean about staff interpreting actions and being on guard too much. When I was in during my last stay, I noticed it was very cold at night and so I put my dressing gown on my chair and put the chair beside my bed so I could grab my gown when I was too cold. Within an hour of me putting it there, a nurse questioned me about it. I'd completely innocently put my chair right underneath the light and they were worried I was going to hang myself! I genuinely hadn't noticed that it was directly under the light, but thankfully they believed me when I said it was there so I could grab my gown during the cold nights!<br /><br />I'm glad you've been out of hospital all this time, but make sure you keep an eye out for early warning signs of a relapse. I had been out of hospital for two and a half years when this happened, so make sure you keep an eye on yourself and don't get complacent!<br /><br />Best wishes,<br />Katy xKaty Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13384403447580393959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607863253105913866.post-67914954023988080982013-10-21T13:30:31.302+01:002013-10-21T13:30:31.302+01:00Thank you for this post Katy. It can be very daunt...Thank you for this post Katy. It can be very daunting entering a psych ward, even for those who have been a few times. I've been a psych inpatient about 3 or 4 times. One of those times was on an adolescent ward. I've noticed that the staff I was with when I was 16 were much more helpful and supportive than the staff I've encountered in adult wards. I was last in hospital about 2 years ago and I had my phone and mp3 player on me. I think I'd end up feeling worse if I wasn't allowed to have either of those on my possession whilst in hospital. I can understand the concerns about camera phones and even the risk of things getting stolen.<br /><br />Oh one thing I want to add - There was a time I was an inpatient a few years back and I had asked my mum to bring in some books from home. I spent most of my time in my room reading, and my 'named nurse' had searched my room and came into the meeting I was having with the psychologist. She was concerned about two of the books I had, one was called 'Hell's Angel' or something and the other was 'Angels and Demons' by Dan Brown. She was concerned about the content in them but I laughed wondering why on earth she didn't just ask me or at least read the blurb on the back. I guess what I'm trying to say is for people not to be too offended if something completely innocuous to you raises some suspicion by others. I think some staff can be highly on guard and perhaps will try and interpret your actions or inactions. :)Michellenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7607863253105913866.post-72897096787493105492013-10-20T17:28:57.999+01:002013-10-20T17:28:57.999+01:00I keep a list of what I should take to the psychia...I keep a list of what I should take to the psychiatric hospital if I were to be admitted again in the future. I have been in a psychiatric hospital on 7 different occasions!Marlonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994591694964533809noreply@blogger.com