Posted by Maxime on February 19, 2005, at 14:26:16
In reply to Re: hospital stays, posted by Nixon on February 19, 2005, at 8:43:20
I would like to add something.
Another positive about hospital stays is that (if they are going their jobs) you get homework to complete in group therapy or sometimes a psychologist will come and see you and also give you homework. Here are the difference patients and scenarios you will see:
1. People who are there for their depression but can still function. These patients are not allowed to stay in bed. They are encouraged (okay forced) to be active. They have to shower every morning, go to group and be as active as possible.
2. Depressed people who are almost catatonic. They are expected to reach little goals each day. Having a shower can be one. Talking to some of the other patients can be another. They do not go to groups because they can barely function. I have been in that category.
3. The patients with bipolar illness who went off their meds and are sooooo manic. Being bipolar myself I feel I can say this, but they provide the comic relief. I know it's awful to be manic but it's interesting to witness someone going through it especially if it's a good manic. They will talk and talk and be zipping around. Again, I do not mean to offend ANYONE here who has been in that condition as I have been there myself.
4. People who are there to receive ECT treatment. Poor souls. The days in between their treatments they are able to talk etc. but on the days that they have their treatment they are so out of it. But it is beautiful to see these people come to life after their a few treatments.It truly is.
5. Geriatric patients who should not be there if they are not mobile. I once spent a lot of time helping an old lady get around. I was there to get better. But the nurse didn't have time for her. I couldn't just watch her suffer.
6. Psychotic patients. It can be scary to see what they are going through. They don't scare me, but it hurts to see the pain they are in. Often they are in seclusion if they are too disruptive. Once they are stable they are brought out of seclusion. And I am not talking about being locked up in a room. They are in a different area of the psych ward where there are 3-4 rooms for these patients and the door to that area is locked. This is in Canada. When i was in the US for a year I was in the hospital for 5 days (psychotic reaction to wellbutrin) and there was a room to seclude out of control patients and we could see the room. We had to pass by it to get to the dining area. It was sooooo painful to watch and hear as they went crazy in this room.
ADVICE: I'm not sure how it works in the US. But when I have been in the hospital in Canada and it's "med time" I will look at what is in the cup and if there is something I don't recognise I ask. If I don't want to take it I don't. I tell the nurse that I will talk to the pdoc the next day. They of course take notes .... But you have the right NOT to be overmedicated.
Okay this post is getting long, so I will end now.
Maxime
poster:Maxime
thread:460100
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050217/msgs/460404.html