Posted by Maxime on February 18, 2005, at 22:31:42
In reply to Re: hospital stays, posted by Phillipa on February 18, 2005, at 22:04:57
I have had several hospital stays. I was commited twice for 30 days but was release after 7 days. Then there have been the suicide attempts where after I left the icu and then med ward I was sent to psych. And there have been times when I knew I had to go in.
Okay, the arts and crafts suck. But I didn't have to do them once I was able to do one small project. They use occupational therapy to test your concentration etc. But I found having the time to get away from outside stressors helped a lot. I would color on my own and it would relax me. Or write in a journal. The groups are alright. Some fit the stereotype that it is almost amusing -"And Chad, how does what Maria just said make you feel?" UGH! One time I answered "it makes me feel horny". I couldn't help it. I was just so bored.
I found the other patients to be the most therapeutic part of my stay. You make friends. And everyone defines themselves by their illness. Or people will ask you what you have before they ask your name!
The food sucks and I grew to hate the sound and smell of the trolly coming into the ward. But you could see who was on zyprexa because they would eat all their food and I could pawn off mine as well!
2 weeks is typical ... sometimes more, sometimes less. If you are brought in totally manic and out of touch with reality you will be there for about a month.
My longest stay was when I was on the eating disorder unit in a psychiatric hospital. I was there for four months. I weighed 60 pounds and I was really ill. I don't like to talk about that hospitalization because it was hell.
Have I answered your question well enough?
Maxime
poster:Maxime
thread:460100
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050217/msgs/460196.html