Posted by ChrisK on February 21, 2000, at 6:28:46
In reply to Re: Harry b and Michael...and a question, posted by harry b. on February 20, 2000, at 23:22:53
Harry,
I have been hospitalized in three diferent hosptals over the years. They are nothing like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Each was privately run so I couldn't garauntee that a state run hospital would be the same.
In general we had free roaming of the building or floor we were on. The day was basically like this: After Breakfast we would have a meeting with our assigned counselor and pdoc to discuss problems and concerns about meds. We always had our choice to refuse a med if we thought it was in anyway harmful.
Around 10am we started with "classes" or talk therapy sessions. These were things like coping skills, identifying signs of problems, role playing of life situations that we couldn't deal with, etc. This continued into the afternoon sessions. Each patient had a choice of 3 or 4 classes at each starting time and could structure their program with their counselor. There was always a time before dinner for some excersize, whether it was outdoors or in a gym.
The day really moved along quickly and the thing was that I always felt safe there. Nobdy threatened me for any reason and I got to meet other people who felt the same way I did.
The housing was dorm style with two patients to a room. There were always 4 or 5 staff members on hand for a group of 18 patients. We always had the option of talking to a nurse or doctor about our meds if there was a problem or concern. Nothing was forced on us.
Overall I had good experiences. The first time I went in was after a failed suicide attempt and that lasted 12 days. The next time was for 8 days. It all depends on when you feel that you can safely go home and take care of yourself. In general if you admit yourself, you can usually get out when you want to. The only thing to stop you in NY(where I'm from) is if a doctor feels that you are a danger to yourself or others. At that point they can ask for a hearing sometime in the next 72 hours. It's their little way of keeping an eye on you for another 3 days. I never saw this law applied to a patient while I was in.
As far as family and friends, they were very supportive. They would rather have me alive and getting help than being succesful in my suicide attempts.
The other good thing to come out of this was that I met my current pdoc while inpatient. He is very good and I get along with him fine. He was working adjunt to the hospital and got my case.
Overall I would say if you are in serious danger of attempting suicide, hospitalization is the best option.
I hope this helps a little. If you have any more questions e-mail me. (ckelly2@nycap.rr.com)
Stay healthy,
Chris>
> I have a question. If I were to consent to being
> hospitalized, what does the treatment consist of?
> Would I be simply sedated and under observation?
> Or would I be restrained in any manner? Sedation
> and observation would be OK, but restrainment would
> not be good. Although I still have suicidal ideations,
> I have not attempted to harm myself, nor have I
> posed a threat to anyone else. If someone who has
> been thru this would respond, I'd be grateful for
> your description of how you were treated. As a
> second part to my request, what was the duration
> of your hospital stay? Did you find it to be helpful?
> What was the response of family, friends, employers?
> If I consent to it, am I free to leave when I wish,
> or will I be released only upon my doc's say so?
>
> Thank you
>
>
>
>
>
poster:ChrisK
thread:22792
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000220/msgs/22888.html