Question of the Week - Hospital Stays

I was hospitalized for a total of five weeks: three weeks in the fall of 1987 and two weeks in the summer of 1992.  As soon as I was admitted to the ward the first time I began taking the medication and I didn't cheek it.  I attended the group therapy and O.T. and went bowling off-site.  The hospital started a fifty-minute hour called Independent Study where you could go in the O.T. room and read a book in quiet and rest and relax.  Every day for fifty minutes I sat at a table in the O.T. room and read one magazine article line-by-line.  I had lost my mind and didn't want to slip any further so I immediately began reading magazines every chance I got.

I interviewed my mother, Mary Ann, for the Connection round about this time last year and she told me "It was a heartbreak." She came to see me every day and when she would drive home her stomach was in knots.

You must visit your son or daughter in the hospital as often as you can if not every day.  This will also show the staff that your child has an ally and so hopefully they will treat him or her better knowing that you would rise to your son oir daughter's aid.

If you have to go into the hospital and are aware of what's happening I recommend you go in there with a plan to maximize the time you spend there so that you don't have to stay on the ward long-term.  I do not believe that a lengthy hospital stay is always helpful.  It depends on the person and how severe the symptoms are.

Also: if you have been out of the hospital for awhile and your doctor wants to switch your medication, this can be done without your having to go back into the hospital.  Dr. Altman instituted the famous cross-titer I've talked about in here over the last two years and there was no need for me to go into the hospital to do this.

Some other tips: try not to sleep during the day.  Go to the therapy sessions.  If you get privileges or can sit in the courtyard or get out of the TV lounge, do this.  I received a day pass and went with my mother shopping.  [Heck-if you've read my personal blog you know this is so typical of me to want to dress to impress the hospital staff.]  I had the day pass when I was hospitalized the second time.

Another thing: if your insurance will cover it and you feel you're not ready to leave, that is another option.  I was released after two weeks the second time and was not yet fully stable however I had to return to work because I was lucky management didn't fire me.  They wouldn't hold my position open any longer.

On the ward: get to bed early.  Take showers.  Take your meds.  Communicate with your doctor and social worker about whether you think things are working.  Be honest.  You don't want to be in the hospital forever yet I wouldn't advise lying just so you can get out quicker.

These are the things I can give you off the top of my head.

I'll await other people's comments before posting more.

Christina

It would better to employ a community based system where you are treated in your own home by a doctor that made house calls and a community nurse that called by daily when the need arose. That isn't always possible though and serious cases are treated in hospital. Then, it is better to be in an open ward rather than confined to a locked ward.

My first admission I spent 28 days. They had groups that were mandatory. I took my meds, I never questioned what they were. I advise anyone who goes into the hospital to ask what meds they are giving you. The unit was nice, decorated nicely. (a far cry from home.)

Two weeks after discharge, I ended up here in Binghamton at the state hospital. I Spent 11 months and 6 days there. The unit, and the whole building was decrepit. The wind would howl through the halls. You could hear people screaming. 

At first I slept in a dorm with 5 other guys. I earned level four and was able to get in a three bed dorm. We lined up for everything, meds, school, meals. They had a rehab building where I went to school. It had a bowling alley, gym, pool and weight room, gift shop, library and cafe. There was a wood shop, and laundry on the grounds. I worked a the cafe and laundry. Having worked many years as an outpatient in the cafe, I became manager.

    When I became of age I went to an adult unit. It was very plain and unfriendly. The only thing we looked forwad to was cigs every hour on the half hour and meals. I had numerous admissions at the state. One time they were so over crowded they had patients sleeping in hallways.

I have many fond memories of the state hospital. 

I had numerous admissions at the city hospital. In fact I was there two years ago in September. There's groups starting a 7 am and continue until 4 pm. I attended all groups, except art. (I get too fruatrated with art) Alot of the groups there was only 2 or 3 patients. I took meds, showered and behaved.

Advice. Go to groups. (If you don't go, they will view that as being uncompliant) These groups are full of information and techniques to use beyond the locked doors. Do not sleep all day.(That's what home is for). Cooperate with staff. (they are there to help). If you are having a problem, tell the staff. Don't cop an attitude. Obey all unit rules.

I have so many good memories of the units I've been on.

For families, visit as often as possible. Call the unit to talk to your loved ones. Tell the unit doctor or social worker any problems you have seen. Get active.

The city hospital has a group for families. Go. Be supportive. Silence is not good for the patient or the family.

Hospitals have changed since the early days. They have more support. More info. The only thing that didn't change is the food. The food is horrible. Cold eggs and warm milk for breakfast. Green hot dogs.

I had the opportunity to talk to patients at the state. The first time I was amazed. The floors are carpeted, new windows, artwork on the walls, more groups.

I have so much to say, but I'm getting long winded.

Bottom line, if you need help GO TO THE HOSPITAL. Get active in your treatment.

Peace,

Dave

Hello Community!   

             Question 1)    For those of you who have loved ones in hospital the best thing you can do is keep in touch.   Visit.     Don't let your loved one go it alone. Hospital can be very cold, lonely and clinical and the more family support a person has , esp. if they're young, the better they're going to feel and recover.  It may be difficult to see someone you care for in a psychiatric ward or for that matter it may be difficult for you to walk into one but after the first visit or so it will get easier.

            Question 2)  For those of you who may have to go to a clinic or psychiatric ward, don't worry , the jitters will pass.           You may say to yourself " why do I have to go here?"     You may wonder how long you will have to stay.   You might think to yourself  "I'm going to be with a bunch of crazy people!"       

 What you will find are a bunch of ordinary people in different stages of wellness/sickness.     

My step-father said to me that the ward I was on looked like a nice place for a rest and a good place to take about tree months to read a good book.

          Question 3)     I have had a number of hospital stays in the last 31 years.     Yes , it's been a long time for me.       I can't say I have a lot of pleasant memories about being in hospital but I think I had a gift and that was the gift of gab.      I would talk in spite of what I was going through.          I got personal with some of the staff and that helped the healing back then tremendously.   I can recall one night in particular.   I couldn't sleep and I walked into the lounge area of the ward.  A nurse approached me and we started to talk.        We talked for a bit and it wasn't long until I was pouring my heart out to her.          We talked a little further and then she simply told me to turn the page.   Turn the page.   In my life.  And I did.    It was a very liberating feeling.      Shortly after, I was released from hospital and started  a brand new life.     That is my most vivid memory of hospital.

Be cool

Don Fraser