Posted by Reggie BoStar on February 19, 2007, at 23:37:36
In reply to Update, posted by iNFAMOUS RiCK on February 14, 2007, at 11:16:13
Hi,
Did they say whether you would be in a behavioral health ward or a private room?I was in one of those wards several times for alcohol detox. They put us in the same lockdown ward as the folks with behavioral problems, such as potential suicides.
This particular ward wasn't bad at all. There were no crazy things going on, no violence, no forced treatment of any kind, no really gross extremes like padded rooms, strait jackets, anything like that.
Psychotic cases like that last one usually go to a state institution, not a hospital. Besides, you aren't psychotic. You're severely depressed and you have suicidal thoughts. That's serious but not psychotic.
Seriously, they do good work in those wards. There's always some kidn of informal group activity with small numbers of people in comfortable settings. Those are mostly educational. Also, you see a case manager, social worker, or counselor every day, and a psychiatrist usually as often.
They also provide safe medication, assuming you need any. Nothing that goes overboard, like heavy duty tranks or anything like that. They want to comfortable but awake and alert so you can get the benefits of the therapy groups and counselor meetings. The psychiatrist is the one who manages your meds depending on what he thingks you need. Who knows whether or not you'll even get any.
The food where I went wasn't too bad either. They provide menus for the following day. You check off what you want. I was never in the mood for the heavy duty stuff, so I used to get chef's salads with lean meats, fruit, yogurt, etc.
They should have told you what the stay in the hospital would be like. If they didn't, you might want to ask them. Even if you don't go, it will put your mind at rest and make you comfortable if you ever do need to go in later.
Then again, I should talk. I've got my own morose thread down below. Who knows, I could be back in the ward next month.
Best wishes,
Reggie BoStar
poster:Reggie BoStar
thread:732478
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20070215/msgs/734364.html