Posted by judy1 on June 29, 2002, at 12:50:38
In reply to Re: Being hospitalized » Angel Girl, posted by judy1 on June 29, 2002, at 1:48:24
And please remember- unlike Katekite my hospitalizations were involuntary for mania or suicide attempts/ or ideation. I was taken to several different ones (one with an ocean view which my son thought was a hotel) and others very highly rated. I was taken in restraints and when they were removed if I was agitated I received a shot of haldol or thorazine in the butt (chemical staightjacket). If I was manic, I was chemically sedated and would lie all day in the common room watching the PG videos. If suicidal, I was under watch every 15 minutes- even in the shower a nurse would sit by the shower door. All I remember was waiting in line for meds, if I didn't show up they would come to my room and force me to take them. I always had a private room. In the breaks between the 15 min checks, I would put my wrist where the window was partially open and try to hurt myself to keep me there (trying not to dissociate- which didn't work, because mostly I would be gone). The nurses were nice in all the hospitals, but I wasn't allowed to do art therapy or group therapy or anything- just watch videos. And since I didn't smoke after the 72 hour watch where I wasn't allowed to go outside for any reason, they didn't let me go outside because I didn't smoke. At one point the meds weren't working and the shrink ordered ECT, I went before a judge with my advocate and did the 'normal' act, and escaped getting that. I write this not with the intention of frightening you, obviously I was very ill-but to give the other side-judy
poster:judy1
thread:460
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20020516/msgs/468.html